Spent a lot of sessions fishing for pike over winter. Started so well back in October. 4 pike on the first session, biggest at 12lb. Went downhill from there. My target was 15lb that I never managed. There's always next winter. Carp now, then cats in a month or 2.
River season closing yes but pike can be caught all year they are more active in summer I learnt this by fishing the Bridgewater all year in the nineties in winter they are dormant and have leaches on them from lying still but in summer they don't and are healthier and fight better.
For me they're a winter target. Too many other species to go for in summer. I do get the occasional one when perch fishing, but only target them seriously in winter.
Due to losing my car mid November I only had 1 pike session. That was on the Severn. Had a jack around 8lb. Finally got back on Thursday and managed a small chub on mashed bread and a huge piece of flake.
2 small zander were caught a couple of years ago, apparently. I know they occasionally show up in Shrewsbury town centre (river, not shopping, I know what some of you are like 😁).
Spent a lot of sessions fishing for pike over winter. Started so well back in October. 4 pike on the first session, biggest at 12lb. Went downhill from there. My target was 15lb that I never managed. There's always next winter. Carp now, then cats in a month or 2.
River season closing yes but pike can be caught all year they are more active in summer I learnt this by fishing the Bridgewater all year in the nineties in winter they are dormant and have leaches on them from lying still but in summer they don't and are healthier and fight better.
Due to losing my car mid November I only had 1 pike session. That was on the Severn. Had a jack around 8lb. Finally got back on Thursday and managed a small chub on mashed bread and a huge piece of flake.
Don’t get that much chance on the rivers but here’s a couple of memorable catches