Float Fishing for River Pike

[@terryjacob8169]

Great to see you using a single circle hook. I've been using circles for ten years now and would never go back to trebles. Interesting your point about the poor knot strength of braid. The other point that needs to be understood about braid is its poor abrasion resistance. In the past I've used braid a lot for heavy lure fishing ( particularly jerkbaits , large cranks, large jerkbaits) mainly for its tensile strength but not without understanding its shortcomings in terms of knot strength and abrasion resistance. Too many people think it's a miracle line, when it isn't.

[@wye-fisher]

Totally agree on all points; trebles are a thing of the past, the only positive that can be argued is the ability to hook a dead-bait and have hooks clear. However, there are plenty of double patterns with one hook much larger than it's partner; the smaller of the two holding the bait. I only use braid for two methods now, light lure fishing for exactly the reasons you mention and that it has no stretch so you get instant connection with smaller fish but then knot strength and abrasion aren't really a factor :) The second is when using a multiplier, (bait-caster in USA) for Salmon. Simply because I've found that mono can bed itself into the spool under pressure which then snags as they belt off again! For this reason I go up to 55lbs to allow for a 30lbs fish and, again, because of the above drawbacks! On the other hand, I use 20lbs mono on my fixed-spool.... That's fishing.

[@durrantalan]

What a lovely film. Thanks for sharing. Which stretch of The Wye is this?

[@wye-fisher]

Hello Alan, It's the Aramstone Beat just upriver from Ross. But the whole of the Wye is good for specimen Pike; wherever there are bait-fish to be found. This season has been tough though, nothing over 20lb because there are so many of them and the 'Big old Girls' can't get a look in! We will keep trying until the 3rd March....... Then it's Salmon (aka Unicorn) Season :)

[@maggiewalker9316]

Is that stretch on a day ticket

[@wye-fisher]

It is for coarse and game fishing by contacting Stan Turner on 07899 903744 But the Pike fishing is limited so as not to put too much pressure on them and is usually offered to those who have fished the venue before!. Under certain circumstances there are also limitations when targeting the Barbel and Salmon, with a complete halt when temperatures get too high or there is an algae bloom in summer. Tight lines...