Description : This species is common in lakes, ponds, canals and slow reaches of rivers. Unmistakable with powerful jaws and strong sharp teeth set in a flattened head, a long torpedo shaped body with the dorsal fin set at the rear. The colouring allows the pike to camouflage itself amongst reeds and other plants to dart out and take its prey. They feed on other fish mainly, but have been known to eat amphibians and even ducklings. During spawning between February and May the female, which grows considerably larger than the male, lays up to 500 000 eggs scattered over plants. These hatch in around 2 weeks and the tiny larva stick to the plants until the fry are fully formed.

Angling information : The current UK record is 46 lb 13 oz 0 drm, and anything over around 20 lb is considered to be a specimen. The pike is a very aggressive predator, hiding and then darting out with great bursts of speed to take its prey. Specialist tackle is required for catching such a large, hard fighting fish. A rod of at least 1 3/4 lb test curve, 15 lb line and at least a size 10 treble hook attached with a length of steel wire (a snap-tackle) is preferred. Dusk and dawn are good times to target pike, the majority of catches coming to lures and live-baiting, while the bigger fish prefer a dead-bait because as their speed decreases with bulk they develop a habit of scavenging for food.

Tip : Twitch your dead-bait occasionally to simulate a fish in the last throws of life as pike often target weak ailing prey.