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It is believed that fly fishing for pike is to some extent a special type of fishing and it is intended exclusively for use in turbulent rivers with a strong current, where fish such as salmon or grayling are caught. Contrary to this opinion, fly fishing for pike is gaining more and more popularity. This method of fishing, like all others, has its own peculiarities.
Fly fishing for pike
Fly fishing tackle for pike: how to choose
You can use a rod of any class for fishing, just as, for example, in spinning fishing, pike is caught both on a heavy rod and on a light one. But with any method of fishing, you must adhere to the principle of comfortable playing the fish. If you follow this principle, then for pike fishing you need to use fly rods from 5 to 10 classes.
The use of lighter tackle is not advisable, since quite heavy baits will be used in this fishing method. To catch pike up to 2 kg, it is recommended to use gear of class 5-6. To catch specimens over 2 kg, it is best to use rods of class 8-9.
It is best to go hunting for a trophy pike with a class 10 rod. As a rule, such rods are two-handed and powerful, with which you can fight with a large fanged predator. The standard length of the rod varies from 2 to 3 meters and depends on the size of the fish that the fisherman expects to catch.
The larger the expected fish, the longer the rod will be. One of the important roles when choosing is the weight of the rod. The lighter the weight, the less tired the fisherman. After some time of using fly fishing gear, having gained some experience, each angler selects a fishing rod for himself and does not always focus on generally accepted rules.
Fly fishing equipment
When choosing a reel, you need to pay attention to the two most important parameters: the mass of the reel and the backstop brake. The balance obtained by choosing the right mass of the reel will help reduce the load on the fisherman’s hands and will affect the correct casting of the bait. A reliable brake will definitely be needed if a sufficiently large trophy is caught. You need to choose reels that match the rod. For class 5 rods, class 5-6 reels are selected, for class 10 rods and class 8-10 reels. There must be a good supply of backing on the reel and therefore it is advisable to use reels of a slightly higher class than the rods.
Fly line for pike
Floating lines are essential for fly fishing for pike. Cords with a sinking end are often used. Many manufacturers produce special lines designed specifically for pike fishing. The most promising places for catching pike will be bushes on the pond and snags. To avoid hooks, in such places, casts must be done exactly in the selected area. In order for the casts when catching pike to be more accurate, the class of the line is chosen 1 – 2 classes below the class of the rod.
For example, if you are using a Grade 8 rod, a Grade 6 line will do. Often use the so-called “shooting head”. This is a cord that has a short and heavy body. It is used for accurate casting of large baits. When using such a cord, the rod must be sufficiently rigid. Also an important nuance will be the mandatory use of undergrowth with a length not exceeding the length of the rod. It is very important to use a metal leash. The attack on the bait often occurs from the head or the pike swallows it whole. If you neglect the metal leash, then the cut of the bait and the exit of the pike are guaranteed.
Fly fishing lures for pike
The main baits for catching pike will be streamers and flies. If desired, the fisherman can make these baits on his own or purchase them in the store since now there are many options for every taste and color.
Flies on pike, streamers
The correct selection of a fly is a very responsible process, since the overall success of fishing largely depends on it. For pike fishing, the use of a streamer is very common. The streamer imitates a fish fry, tadpoles, frogs or small mice. This lure is very good at attracting large trophy pike.
Pike streamer
The difference between a streamer and a fly:
- Outwardly, it most resembles a fish fry;
- the behavior of the bait in the water imitates the action very well, for example, a fry;
- as a rule, the streamer does not have a bright color.
Flies are baits that mimic larvae or insects. They can be of any shape and color. Flies are divided into dry and wet:
- Wet flies are designed primarily for deep water fishing. Made from heavy materials. They have a thin body structure with a minimum number of bristles. They look like fry or crustaceans that have just been born.
- Dry flies are designed for fishing on the surface of the water. Flies are like all kinds of insects. Made from non-sinking material.
What color bait is better
The choice of color, as a rule, depends on the time of year and weather. In cold water and in cloudy weather, orange and yellow colors of lures will show themselves best. And when fishing in the evening, white or light green colors are best suited. If the weather is clear, it is best to use red or gray lures. Black or dark green is best to use in the heat.
Where to fly pike
Pike is the most common predator in almost all water bodies. Fly fishing, respectively, for pike can be done in almost any reservoir, pond, lake or river. But one important feature must be taken into account. Since fishing will take place on baits used on the surface of the water or at a shallow depth, it is most likely to catch pike at a depth of no more than 2 meters.
On the rivers, the most promising places will be places with reverse flow, whirlpools, bank slopes. On stagnant ponds, the first thing to do is look for pike in water lilies or snags. Be sure to pay attention to the windows in the thickets of underwater vegetation.
The pike chooses places for hunting very carefully in order to attack its prey with maximum efficiency.
Technique of fishing
The angler enters the water, releases the amount of line needed to reach the intended location of the fish, and casts. After the first posting, subsequent casts are carried out with a slight shift to the right or left. After that, the angler increases the length of the cord by two meters and makes casts, as well as after the first posting. Then you need to move a few meters along the coast and again continue to make casts.
Wiring is done using a sharp selection of the cord, about 30 cm per selection. Between rebounds, you need to pause 1 – 5 seconds. The duration of the pause depends on the activity of the fish. The more passive the fish, the longer it is necessary to pause between rebounds.
If the bait is pursued by a predator, the wiring should not be stopped. Wiring must be continued and be ready for a predator attack. In the event of a stop, the fish is guaranteed to stop chasing.
Video: fly fishing for pike
Fly fishing in its excitement is not inferior to other methods of fishing. This type is considered one of the most difficult, but at the same time one of the most interesting. With each fishing comes more and more experience, which in the future will help to achieve the capture of the desired trophy on fly fishing tackle.