Pike on a float rod

Almost everyone hunts pike, most of them use spinning equipment for this. But many do not forget other types of capture. Fishing for pike on a float rod is especially popular; live bait is used as a bait for such tackle.

The subtleties of catching pike on a float rod

An angler should have a variety of tackle in his arsenal, it often happens that pike does not react to artificial lures for spinning fishing. But the live bait from the float interests her and even very much. To always be with a catch, especially a predator, one must not be afraid to experiment.

Float tackle for pike is one of the oldest types of food production. Modern equipment will be very different from prehistoric ones, but they are identical in terms of the principle of catching. The subtleties of fishing are still there:

• you can catch in hard-to-reach places for spinning baits;
• perfect for small ponds with a lot of aquatic or coastal vegetation;
• the tackle itself is light and comfortable, the hand will not get tired even during the day.

The big plus is that you don’t need to spend extra money on bait. It is enough to catch a small fish on a float in the same reservoir and use it further.

The choice of gear components

Before you catch a pike on a bait, you need to collect the right tackle. Anglers with experience know how to do it qualitatively, and we will learn their secrets.

A real fisherman collects all the tackle he uses with his own hands, then only you can be one hundred percent sure in the equipment. For pike, the float rod has some features, since large individuals often have to be pulled out, especially in spring and autumn. In order not to miss the trophy catch, you should adhere to the parameters of the components listed below.

Rod

To catch a predator, light but strong blanks are used, it is best to give preference to carbon, but the composite will be about the same in many respects. The length is chosen according to the fished reservoir.

When choosing, you should pay special attention to the fact that catching pike with a bait takes place only with a Bologna rod, that is, with rings. Inserts in the rings should preferably be ceramic, ideally titanium, this will save the basis for the catch, protect it from chafing.

The whip must have at least one sliding ring, it serves to evenly distribute the load along the tip.

Coil

Forms for this type of fishing require reels of the appropriate quality, the usual one for catching small inhabitants of the reservoir is definitely not suitable. She simply will not be able to withstand the effort when playing a pike, the strength of the predator’s jerks is high.

The best options for equipment will be a spinning reel with a spool from 2000 to 3500. Usually, the manufacturer comes with two options: metal and plastic. The first option is used purely for winding the cord, but both options are suitable for fishing line.

The number of bearings should not be very large, this is not a spinning tackle where excellent reel performance is required. Only 3 is quite enough for long-distance casting and further fighting with a successful notch.

Basis

Pike fishing with a rod takes place using both a regular monofilament line and a cord as a base. The first option is chosen whether or the second, but you need at least 50 meters to cast to the desired distance. But in thickness they will differ:

• fishing line for this type of fishing is placed on a float tackle with a thickness of at least 0,3 mm;
• if, when choosing a base, the choice fell on a braided cord, then 0 mm will be quite enough.

Such materials for self-production of leashes are not suitable; a toothy inhabitant of a reservoir will quickly bite into such material.

Leashes

An excellent option for rigging a float rod for live bait fishing is a metal or fluorocarbon leader. Other options will be weak for pike in any body of water.

An important parameter is the length, it is not recommended to put a leash shorter than 25 cm, a pike, when swallowing a live bait, can capture the base with its teeth.

Hooks

The hook should be such that the angler can put the live bait on it without problems. For this type of bait use:

• single live bait;
• twins;
• tees.

In this case, there will be several options for the institution. The use of a tee is considered the most reliable, and a leash is inserted immediately under the gill cover. Hold a tee with a winding ring at your mouth, and then connect everything.

Float and weights

It is necessary to choose a float for pike for a load of at least 10 g, the best option would be a 15-gram option. Sinkers for equipment take sliding ones, and their weight should be less than indicated on the float. Under the already selected float of 15 g, a sinker is needed only 11-12 g. The finished equipment will not allow the live bait to sink the bite indicator, but the pike strike will be seen perfectly.

Most anglers make their own tackle floats from a large piece of Styrofoam or even carve them out of wood.

Additional fittings

No fishing is possible without accessories for collecting tackle, carabiners, swivels, locking beads are always present. For pike tackle, good quality options are chosen so that they can withstand the jerks of a trophy specimen and not leave.

Properly selected components of excellent quality will be the key to playing even large pikes with a timely serif.

Technique for catching pike on a float tackle

Having collected tackle and having caught a live bait, you can go for a pike. Choose a promising place, put on the bait and cast. It is best to send a fish with a hook:

• to the border of water and vegetation along the coastline;
• carry out fishing near snags and trees fallen into the water;
• in the bays of large rivers with a reverse flow;
• in the summer under reeds and reeds.

Next, they are waiting for bites, the pike should be interested in the active movements of the fish impaled on the hook. The predator immediately begins to attack a potential victim, but it’s not worth doing the hooking. Experienced anglers recommend waiting for about a minute, and only then spotting. The fact is that the pike does not immediately swallow the live bait, it drags it into its shelter, there it turns its muzzle towards itself and only then tries to swallow it. A notch carried out ahead of time can frighten off a toothy inhabitant of a reservoir, she will get rid of the fish and become more careful.

With a long absence of a bite, it is worth changing the place, perhaps here the pike is not in ambush.

We now know how to catch pike on float tackle with live bait, it’s time to collect and try it.

Useful Tips

Fishing for pike on a float will become more effective if you know and apply some useful tips from more experienced comrades who use this tackle regularly. To always be with a catch, you need to know this:

• the more pike we want to catch, the more live bait we put on the hook;
• after catching a trophy variant, it is worth changing the place of fishing, single pike, in one place there is only one predator;
• it is recommended to use this tackle in spring and late autumn, but sometimes in summer a float can bring good trophies;
• an excellent option for bait are crucians, roach, minnows of small size;
• when choosing a rod blank, preference should be given to more rigid options, this will allow you to make a serif more efficiently.

Fishing for pike with a float rod will bring many unforgettable moments for both the beginner and the more experienced angler. The formation of tackle will not create problems for anyone, but it is still better to ask more experienced comrades for advice.