What makes you a better pike angler? It’s certainly a question that we all ask at one time or another. The factors involved in this are far too great to cover in just one article, listing but a few I’d highlight time spent fishing, angling skill, water availability, and of course, lady luck! To me one of the most significant factors in success is diversity, and by that I refer to fishing different waters with varying methods. I am more fortunate than most in that I live in an area that is in easy reach of the Fens and more than a few trout waters, as well as a good few rivers and gravel pits. There is so much more to it than that though. The varying methods required to fish these waters also comes to bear. Put all this together and you soon begin to add considerably to your angling ability and experience.

I always aim to fish at least one new water a year, sometimes it’s more than that, but I have learnt one thing and that’s not to spread yourself too much. Learning a new water can take time and it’s all too easy to fish all over the place looking for results and getting nowhere. Every water presents unique challenges. Trout waters require a specialist approach, more often than not with lures, and are generally fished from a boat in a competitive environment. Fenland drains are again a completely different ball game, often requiring detailed local knowledge of feeding patterns and pike location as opposed to raw angling skill. Gravel pits can be tough nuts to crack and rivers too can be hard work. What I’m driving at here is that to fish just one type of venue year in year out is only going to make you the ‘local expert’. Nothing wrong with that, especially if you live on the Fens! But to vary your waters will definitely bring greater rewards.

We are all limited in terms of where and when we can fish to some extent. I think nothing of driving 100 miles to fish a good water, but do appreciate that not everyone can enjoy this luxury.

Setting goals is always a good starting point for me. I like to establish which waters I am going to fish and those that I might fish. What I am saying here is that you might think you have found good water, but after a number of sessions it becomes apparent that it is not that great. We have all gone on these wild goose chases in search of big pike, all part of the fun I say! Situations occur on other waters that you just have to capitalise on and you must be prepared to switch venues to get on these places. A good example of changing game plan was when all the rivers flooded and a switch to the gravel pits was required for a few months. Maybe a water you fished a few years back has started to throw up some biggies and you have to get on there. Always have back-up waters.

The travel factor
Travelling to fish waters outside your ‘local’ area is another important factor in gaining experience and knowledge. I’ve made a few trips up to Scotland and the Broads, and have fished most of the trout waters across the country. These trips usually mean a few days away from home, which always adds to the adventure. You also get to meet some of the celebrities in pike fishing and that in itself is a learning experience, or not as the case may be! Trout waters are a good example of gaining additional skills and knowledge. Fishing Blithfield is a far cry from the River Cam! It is also very beneficial to observe other anglers on these waters. In many cases I have been very impressed by the ability of fellow pikers and on other occasions certainly understood the meaning of the expression ‘jammy bugger’! The main problem you have on these waters is that you have to learn quickly. Only by fishing a variety of other waters can you do this. Do your homework as well and be observant. The hot spots are usually well known, just follow the crowds and you’ll soon be there! You can be brave and do your own thing on these places and that too can bring rewards.

Try something new. Give it a go and surprise yourself! So many people dead bait only and again, that’s fine. Whatever floats your boat. I was the same until I tried lure fishing about eight years ago, and boy am I glad I did! You can simplify this by trying some float fishing, instead of waiting for the buzzer to go. You will notice dropped takes and which way the pike runs, how deep the water is, things that static dead baiting with buzzers will not always tell you. Many have taken up fly-fishing for pike. Good on you I say! That’s one that I’m going to have a crack at in the near future. If you have never boat fished, try it! If you are unsure give your local PAC Regional Organiser a call, or people like Andy Lush at the Friendly Fisherman. These people will be glad to help you with advice on equipment, safety, and waters to have a go at. Consider a guide for the day, they will supply all the kit you need and teach you a thing or two along the way. Try to be more mobile in your fishing. Ditch the seat, umbrella, holdall, etc. Grab two rods, a small bag and go forth and explore a water! I’ve often walked several miles in a day when bait fishing and it’s hugely rewarding when you find hotspots this way, mainly because you know that 90% of pike anglers will not be bothered to walk that far to fish your swim!

Different people
Fish with different people and you will gain from the diversity that they bring with them. I have a regular fishing partner and he’s a top bloke, but I do fish with others and gain a lot from that. Everyone thinks differently and has differing opinions and skills. I’d highlight this most in the way you can get four different anglers to chuck out the same jerk bait and they all work it back a different way! Join the PAC! You will make many friends through the regional meetings and this will pay dividends over time. Trading waters with each other and sharing knowledge is something I have gained from this, as well as gaining some wonderful fishing mates.

Start reading! There is so much to be gained from the vast array of pike angling literature available. I’m often amazed at how poorly read most pike anglers are. This magazine is a great start, but don’t ignore the many books available. ‘Pike Fishing in the 80’s’ by Nev Fickling was my first pike book and dare I say that I learnt an awful lot from that book. The Internet is a goldmine of information. There are loads of good web sites to look at, just search on words like pike, lure, musky, and so on. Also, I cannot fail to mention the Americans! I have bought a number of books from the States on musky fishing and learnt a lot from these. It’s not all relevant to our pike fishing scene here in the UK, but it’s interesting reading never the less. Even try a subscription to magazines like Musky Hunter or Esox Angler.

Varying the species you fish for is another diversification that can ultimately make you a better pike angler and enhance your enjoyment of fishing in general. I’m a predator man and that’s it! I mainly fish for zander, perch, and chub when I’m not after pike. I used to fish for carp but then got bored, had I not switched to pike and predators (excuse the pun Mr. Editor) I may have given up fishing. I have always said the great thing about the fishing I do is that one day I’m on a drain, the next a fast river, and then on to reservoir. I can’t say that you could easily do that with some other species. Many of my mates don’t fish for pike in the summer; they concentrate on tench or bream. It doesn’t matter; the main thing is to have a break if that’s what you need. Try fishing for something different and you may add to your angling skills and even catch more pike!

Don’t take it too seriously is something that every one seems to want to say to you. Well that’s really up to each individual. I was recently diagnosed with a very serious illness, which has had a massive impact on my life. It made me reflect on a lot of things and quite frankly pike fishing and the time I have devoted to it, and the friends I have gained from it, is definitely not one of my regrets in life. I’ve enjoyed some great moments so far, watching a mate catch an upper twenty from Lomond, catching my first thirty on a lure, catching my first Fenland twenty and double figure Zed. Helping others to achieve results is always a big part of my fishing. When my regular fishing partner finally caught his first twenty it felt like I’d caught it as well! Now he often catches more than me, when I let him of course!
Diversity is an important factor in all aspects of pike fishing. I know I have not gone that deep in this article, but I do hope that I have got a few of you thinking out there. There is so much to this passion of ours and catching pike is only part of it. Get out there and enjoy the Loughs of Scotland, tear your hair out on a trout water, make new friends and enjoy life!
This article was first published in Pike & Predators magazine