The Most CONTROVERSIAL Fish ep.2- Chain Pickerel

[@Fishman2114]

If you haven't already be sure to check out the first episode in this Controversial Fish series all about Rock bass! And if they're any fish you would like to see my cover be sure to let me know down below!!! Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoeofmhse9CIfNk

[@goodnightmunchie]

Can you eat rock bass 🤔🚬

[@JG_YOUTUBER56657]

I would like to see striped bass. because I am in AZ and someone people hate them and some people don't but I would like to see it from you on the striped bass

[@Turles811]

Hear me out on the next episode...common carp these are great NON INVASIVE fish they don't have THAT many bones in the meat in fact They are a great fish catfish and carp done a video on this

[@Fishman2114]

@@Turles811 I don’t know if you’ve been notified but I did a carp episode

[@Turles811]

@@Fishman2114 THANK YOU

[@mak9956]

No hate here! They may not eat well but if it bites and fights I’m a fan!

[@Fishman2114]

@@mak9956 I love that saying. “ if it bites and fights I’m a fan!” I might have to use that 😅

[@mak9956]

@@Fishman2114 👍it’s a great way to look at fish! Be sure and use it!!!

[@thomdrolet2624]

​@mak9956 do they taste like northerns?

[@mak9956]

@@thomdrolet2624 similar I’d say, but it’s all the y-bones that I don’t like to mess with! Of course I’ve never tried a recipe that I’ve used on American shad before. Place in foil with butter and whatever spices you prefer then cook at 225 degrees for 4-6 hours depending on size and the bones just disappear!!!

[@thomdrolet2624]

@@mak9956 look up the 5 filet pike method. Super easy no y bones.

[@TsarMaxi]

Chain pickerel looks beautiful. Never understood why people would hate on fish...

[@moseskongi4746]

Picks' cousins the pike and muskly are prized but unfortunately, the chain pick is not. It is sadly a kind of fish racism.

[@mystify3021]

whent they are in rivers they eat salmons eggs and trout etc

[@moseskongi4746]

@@mystify3021 They eat the eggs? I thought they only eat live prey like the babies.

[@mystify3021]

@@moseskongi4746 yea im fairly sure they do, they also will have a go at killing everything i saw a salmon about 8lb and had mark probably from a pike

[@henryjackman3160]

@@moseskongi4746 When I started bass fishing, an angler told me to kill any pickerel I catch. I fish recreationally and I refuse to intentionally kill anything I am not going to eat.

[@Goofygooberston]

I'm from the other side of the world and can't really comprehend a dislike for these fish. In my country you have 3 groups of freshwater fishermen: Carp fishermen, panfish fishermen and pike fishermen. We only have one pike species but they get huge, a smaller pike species seems like great fun.

[@Fishman2114]

@@Goofygooberston I take it you’re somewhere in Europe? Based on the description of fishermen it seems very European to me 😂

[@kenneth9874]

At least you can eat panfish, although carp makes a decent bait for crabs 🦀😅

[@smelltheglove2038]

They aren’t. They’re a massive pain in the butt. They’re extremely slimy, their teeth make you bleed for days, and they’ll cut your line super easy. Not a big fan.

[@Goofygooberston]

@@Fishman2114 Yep you got it. The continent of carpfishing haha.

[@elsoundgarden]

I'm in Finland and pike is always fun.If your line survives using a net always helps handling this slimey fella.Teeth can be a problem but they do have Massive mouths so that makes it easy in a way.

[@dankruse1736]

Having grown up in NJ and fished there my whole life, I enjoy catching pickerel, especially when you can find them over 20 inches.

[@Fishman2114]

@@dankruse1736 How often do you catch them?

[@dankruse1736]

@@Fishman2114 we catch them almost every time we're out, but ones over 20 only happen a few times throughout the year depending on where I'm targeting them.

[@Fishman2114]

@@dankruse1736 Good for you! I wish I caught them more often… haven’t caught one this year yet

[@GMod_97]

I go ice fishing for chain pickerel out in Massachusetts and they are really fun to catch

[@rex_ad_regum7540]

@@Fishman2114 If youre in NY you need to load up a Kayak and head to Tully Lake...Picker Heaven. Pull some nice ones all day long. Bass under all the docks thick as flies too if thats your thing.

[@robincoulon1332]

I love pickerel. I've caught lots of them and observed them for many decades. They are good eating, but quite bony. The very first time my 3 year old son said "yum" when eating was for a pickerel I fried in butter. I've seen very young pickerel (about 4 inches long) sunning themselves on a rock out of the water, and when I got too close, zip, into the water, so they weren't sick or dead. This was a good, accurate video. Thanks for presenting it.

[@wayned5872]

Chain pickerel is my favorite fish to hunt in the NJ pinelands,never a disappointing fight from them especially on ul tackle with 4 lb test

[@Fishman2114]

@@wayned5872 Wow ultra light pickerel setup, you live on the edge 😂

[@wayned5872]

@@Fishman2114 it's the challenge

[@FishFun-g5v]

Whenever I’m at my campground, I go for chain Perrell and out of probably the 50 or 65 fish that I’ve caught I’ve never had a single one bite me off, but almost every time I hook into a northern they bite me off instantly I love pickle

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Good job, bro

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

I don't keep pickerel (or largemouth bass for that matter), but pickerel put up a great fight when hooked, and will hit just about anything when nothing else is biting. I've caught a couple in excess of 20". (My state's regulations are pretty generous regarding pickerel: 14" minimum size, 5 fish limit, open year round).

[@frankbrowning328]

Personally, the Pike family is my favorite. I love all of them that I catch and target them every year. Not only are they a great game fish but when properly deboned an excellent eating fish. We keep a few small northern every year for the fry pan and catch & release everything else including the Muskies which we never eat

[@quyle9483]

Musky is a trophy not food unfortunately lol. I take a few northerns home too many good ways to cook em. I like to keep around the 4-8 lb range bigger or smaller immediate release. I'll take a day to catch 1- 10 lb northern over catching 15 largemouth bass.

[@frankbrowning328]

@@quyle9483 They're (Northern and Musky + the different species of Pickerel) so much fun to hunt in the shallows. We creep up on them as quiet as possible and throw long casts of mostly Mepps spinners. You can see them create a small wake and then hit the lure hard. I love bass fishing but I too prefer to catch Northern Musky or Pickerel to bass. For me it's just more fun. + my wife loves how I prepare the Northern for the pan. We only take a few here and there and they're always small (but legal) Northern. I've never eaten a Musky and I don't intend to. IMO they take so long to mature that there just aren't enough in most lakes to ethically harvest them. I'd imagine a giant trophy Musky probably wouldn't be the best tasting fish anyhow as a 10-30yr old fish would most likely be pretty fishy in flavor

[@shawneldridge4465]

🎣 no hate here for pickerel at all, I find them interesting and I think they give a good fight. I had never eaten one at all. A few people said that they were pretty good to eat, just going by what I was told.

[@Chainsnsprockets402]

I’ve caught tons of them while bass fishing and the problem I have with them is they cut my line when striking the lure. I’ll occasionally keep a large pickerel. They are very good eating if you learn how to filet them without bones.

[@heretic9484]

I fish for pike and bass every day off I get. I use 15lb braided line and haven't been bitten off in about 4 years. Curious if you use braid.

[@Fin17935]

Käytä haukiperuketta

[@Fishpunch]

The Esox family are one of my favorites. I catch chain pickerel and Redfin pickerel here in NY

[@Fishman2114]

@@Fishpunch I’ll be completely honest I know very little about the red fin pickerel… I didn’t even know we had them up here in NY.

[@rex_ad_regum7540]

Tully Lake is Picker heaven I tell ya.

[@Fishman2114]

@@rex_ad_regum7540 I don’t know if I’d call them “Pickers” that sounds like a racial fish slur 😅

[@rex_ad_regum7540]

@@Fishman2114 That's rough. Always called them that. Everyone I know does. I love the slime rockets. Would never disparage them.

[@Fishpunch]

@@Fishman2114 you'll find them in very. Shallow Clearwater streams hanging by brush. All the ones I've caught have been from trout streams

[@SGM97B]

My older son and I fish specifically for pickerel, we love them. I love using top water lures for pickerel and watching them Torpedo toward the lure. I always use a leader if I know they are possible catches.

[@Fishman2114]

@@SGM97B There’s nothing like watching a pike/pickerel barrel towards your lure

[@mattdebouver8069]

I live in New Brunswick Canada and there's tons of chain pickerel in rivers and lakes here. Been fishing them all my life and they're always a fun time!

[@chrisorourke281]

I like them, but I did have to switch to a 12lb fluorocarbon leader, and I always have my net and pliers with me. I also inspect the end of the leader after a couple of catches and cut it down if it’s damaged.

[@Fishman2114]

@@chrisorourke281 Good habits to follow 👍

[@willwailes9298]

Chain pickerel are beautiful. They give me wanderlust. That said, as a fly tyer, I would be incensed to lose a complex fly, but it'd be my fault for not using leader.

[@barry4fish]

As compared to the closely related northern pike, they seem to leap out of the water immediately after being hooked - great sport, even if they don’t get as big as pike do. I don’t think this species gets any more slimy or sharp teeth compared to pike. If you use the right lure, you can prevent them from cutting your line.

[@Fishman2114]

@@barry4fish Solid take

[@douglasdingwall1596]

I live lakefront, we have largemouth, chain pickerel, black crappie, a few smallmouth....I'd rather catch pickerel then catch nothing. Always have needle nosed pliers and those jaw grippers really make it safer to handle unhooking them...the little ones are the worst flopping around bring a rag to grab the little guys makes it easier. I can't really think of many times I've had one bite off my lure so I never use a wire leader. They bite all bass lures, I catch a lot on Mepps spinners

[@gregkerr725]

I caught one once in the 1980's down in southern Ga. I had no idea what it was...looked like a Northern Pike which I was familiar with. I ended up finding out what it was. The normal areas I fish don't have them. The one I caught was taken on a silver Little Cleo spoon.

[@Fishman2114]

@@gregkerr725 Are they invasive over there?

[@Burlehmangus]

I love pickerel. There’s a pond near me with dozens of them…huge ones, 24 inch +. I have so much fun pulling them out.

[@Fishman2114]

@@Burlehmangus Now that’s a honey pot! I’d love to find that spot one day

[@cameroonkendrick6312]

In South Florida these are a rare catch and I think they are a cool fish, basically another species of pike. Another controversial fish is the bowfin because they are powerful fish that eat bass and bite steel lures in half. However, I think they are a sick looking strong fish that gets bigger than bass

[@cg-keuka]

Caught a 20”er the other day. They sure do fight after they are in the net or on the floor of the boat. Good job.

[@Fishman2114]

@@cg-keuka Once they’re out of the water they realize how screwed they are (at least in their minds’)

[@BryanBosch-jz2ot]

If that is 20 lbs it was a Northern Pike or is that a 20 inch?

[@Fishman2114]

@@BryanBosch-jz2ot I think he meant inches

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

Maybe 10 years ago or so a friend of mine and myself were ice fishing here in NJ with brutal winds. So bad you couldn’t face the wind with small ice chips hitting your face. In a few hours with 10 tip ups with shiners we probably caught over 20 pickerel and no other species. They saved the day even under the most brutal conditions

[@Fishman2114]

@@davidlarsen-tj4tn They’re great for one of the few fish that are still ‘decently active’ durning the winter.

[@jonmurphy4889]

Bro this brought up so many memories!!! The pet baby pickerel in the tank feasting on comets and tuffies... Damn I miss Frankie!!! Caught him with a net in the swamp next to my house. He was just a little baby like 3 in kept him in a separate 10 gallon tank until he got like 7 in and I released him in the pond down the street (The swamp had begin to dry up at that point)👍👍🤙

[@geoffcaldwell580]

Underrated!!! Love catching them on a tiny ice fishing rod!!!

[@Fishman2114]

@@geoffcaldwell580 A lot of people have said they are a great ice fishing fish

[@nathanmaynard131]

Never caught a pickerel as they are not common where I’ve lived but the rock bass has saved many a skunk days 🤙 love those little goober fish

[@Fishman2114]

“Little goober fish” 😂

[@nathanmaynard131]

@@Fishman2114 they are most definitely a little goober fish 🤣

[@BryanBosch-jz2ot]

I live in Saskatchewan. Northern pike have been my go to since I started fishing.

[@calcrappie8507]

As a kid in southern NJ, they were often our big game species. Bullheads, bluegill and pickerel. Needed big game equipment like a Zebco 202.

[@scottweisel3640]

When I was a kid I used to catch them through the ice using tip ups and they would run a long way. When they stopped running I’d wait until the second run to set the hook and pull them in. Lost more than one big one when they’d open their jaws at the 6” hole my auger drilled and get off the hook. I later upgraded to an 8” auger.

[@clownpee6648]

Did not expect that scream added in. Had me laughing

[@Fishman2114]

@@clownpee6648 Good, I’m glad at least someone found it funny 😂

[@williamfarr8807]

Incredible fish. I caught a small one with seine in a pond when I was a teenager. I thought it looked amazing and kept it in an aquarium for about six months. I took it back to the pond and released it after that.

[@gordonneverdies]

I caught a 6-12 a few years ago and it took multiple minutes to land. If I remember correctly I had a baitcaster with a fairly heavy rod so I was impressed. I almost thought it was a northern pike but they don't live in NJ.

[@number4cat1]

Back in 1977 or so I had never seen a Chain Pickerel, and I was fishing in a small rocky stream in Arkansas. I should have realized that the little one I caught looked a lot like a down-sized Northern Pike, but didn't, and I tried the Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass lip grip on it. The little sucker perforated my thumbnail.

[@withallfaults5680]

Jackfilshng in a creek is absolutely some of the most exciting fishing you can do, just reel like crazy when they hit and you won't lose a lure.

[@matthewdalton6112]

Caught a 27 1/2in pickerel this summer. One of my favorite fish in the North east. Call em freshwater barracuda.

[@wayned5872]

I call them gators up here in nj

[@fisherthefreatest]

Underrated no hate

[@quelchx]

I catch a lot of pike up here in Canada by accident I call them slime rockets.

[@RB-oc7ti]

‘Snot rockets!’ Annoyingly aggressive when ur trying to catch bass or walleye - and they just bite off ur line with no resistance. They are so slimey and smelly! A larger northern pike is not referred to as a snot rocket and are actually fun to catch! But the small ones are just too abundant and aggressive and a nuisance.

[@quyle9483]

I'm in north central minnesota we call them smaller northerns Slime Darts.

[@matthewanderson9876]

I love pickerel!!! I often target them in the winter, but please please show some love for the bowfin! My absolute favorite fish ever!

[@Fishman2114]

@@matthewanderson9876 I’ve never caught a Bowfin, even though I’ve gone for them many times. Definitely a highly sought after species for me!

[@billdavenport6203]

Best fight in freshwater pound for pound

[@matthewanderson9876]

@Fishman2114 look up a channel called Explorishing Adventures, lots of awesome bowfin content. And if you don't mind traveling that dude will gladly get you on some

[@_Pussface_]

Have to do a video on Bowfin! Same negatives you here about pike/pickerel. My buddy loves targeting them, mostly because they will chase a bait over and over and over lol strong fish, but almost always end up ruining your bait, they roll like gators so the net is a mess or ruined, jaws are super tough so getting hooks out isnt always quick.. can be a great fight, but other than that they just dont do it for me lol ive always seen carp as trash fish, know other countries love targeting them 🤷🏻 bullheads are pretty low on the ladder of game fish around me (Michigan)

[@RichZFishes]

I've never understood how the chain pickerel got a rep as preferring shallow water. They survive in shallow environments, but in my all too extensive experience with them, they absolutely thrive in deeper environments, and depending on water clarity and oxygen availability, the worthwhile ones prefer to spend their time in 15 to 30 feet of water. I've caught hundreds of pickerel over 5#, and if a dozen of them have come in less than 10 feet of water, that would be a lot. My personal best is a 7-10, which came from just over 30 feet of water.

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

I really never got the hate for them. I always enjoy catching them especially ice fishing when other fish aren’t biting. Have caught many over 20” here in North NJ. My PB 4lb 11oz through the ice at Lake Hopatcong NJ

[@Fishman2114]

@@davidlarsen-tj4tn That’s a solid fish, let alone Chain Pickerel 👍

[@FeraliGabriel]

YES, FINALLY. THIS IS REAL QUALITY CONTENT! WOOOOOOOHOOOOO

[@Fishman2114]

Glad you enjoyed this kind of content 😁

[@ox2161]

I have no hate for pickerel, the only time i dont like catching them are during bass tournaments. My go-to lure for them is a spinnerbait, anywhere between 1/4oz to 1/2oz, the colors i do best with is Chartreuse, white, and bluegill patterns that have purple flake in the skirt. Knock on wood ive yet to have a pickerel cut my line when i throw a spinnerbait.

[@Fishman2114]

@@ox2161 I will say with spinner baits, it is harder them to cut the line due to the fact they are a much larger lure. Smaller lures tend to be easier for the pickerel to thrash and cut the line. Not saying it’s impossible though, far from it…

[@davefish9296]

These fish have a great taste and can make a great shore lunch. You can fillet them and remove the bones. There is a limit on them in NY and I often catch them ice fishing on the north end of Cayuga Lake.

[@Fishman2114]

@@davefish9296 Good to know, maybe I’ll hit there in a couple months

[@kevincommo4003]

I don't run into pickerel too often in open water, but I enjoy targeting them through the ice. With their aggressiveness, they can make for a fun day chasing flags and, if you can get around all the bones, they taste great too. They make really good fish cakes, for example.

[@MikeHart72]

The problem I have with pickerel is they don’t cohabitate very well with other species. For example, where I live pickerel somehow made their way to many lakes, streams, etc. It doesn’t take long after that before the trout are gone.

[@Fishman2114]

@@MikeHart72 Yeah, that’s unfortunate to hear. Where I live they are native so there’s no issues there… but it makes sense to not like a fish that affects the local populations. I didn’t know these guys were invasive anywhere before making this video

[@MikeHart72]

@@Fishman2114 When I was younger, many years ago, the lakes I fished had a lot of trout with the odd small mouth bass. As years went on I caught more bass than trout. Now most of those lakes it’s rare to catch trout but you do get some. In the lakes where pickerel are now in there are no trout at all. I have nothing against pickerel but I grew up fishing for trout so that’s what I prefer. I have to go out of my way to find a good trout spot.

[@markfifer3766]

Chain pickerel share some waters with trout here in Georgia. I caught a large one on an ultralight spinner in the Chattahoochee River and it was a blast. The leap it made on the hookup was spectacular. Fish species which live in a heavy flowing river like the 'hooch seem to fight much harder than their lake living relatives. Some of that is you are also fighting the water flow, but they do seem to be a bit leaner and meaner. A life spent working against the current has to count for something.

[@learningthetrails7570]

I was just saying to someone that it's hilarious how much more of a fight that river sunfish put up compared to pond sunfish.

[@intenseboardsports]

Do carp next. I know silver are a huge problem back east and commons are a nussiance in Utah so you shoudl do them

[@Fishman2114]

@@intenseboardsports Solid idea, I’d probably do the common carp as that’s what I have experience in.

[@ryanTDG]

Great series! The only fish that annoy me are when you are unaware of gar being around and they cut your line and you lose your lures.

[@Fishman2114]

@@ryanTDG Interesting, do you come into contact with gar a lot?

[@ryanTDG]

@@Fishman2114 The main river (Meremac) that I fish and the waterways it connects to are full of gar. They'll at least put up a fight (and taste like chicken from what I have heard) but when they're snapping your line over and over again it can get a little annoying. There is a canal off the Mississippi River that has some decent size gar there but I'll actually be prepared for them.

[@bryanwheaton3866]

I WISH I could catch more pickerel. Lovely fish.

[@Fishman2114]

@@bryanwheaton3866 Same here, I’m lucky to get 2-3 in a year.

[@collinbreidenbach5314]

No hate for pickerel. I do get it though. Growing up fishing the Chesapeake bay tributary creeks Pickerel were one of the most consistent bites throughout the winter so they bring back some fond memories of cold weather fishing

[@Fishman2114]

@@collinbreidenbach5314 Definitely are a great year round fish to target! Heard a lot of people say they are a great ice fishing fish.

[@richardjohnson4238]

I grew up catching pickeral in a pond near home. I didn't know I was supposed to "hate" them. They bit. That's all I asked for. As I grew up catching pickeral became a rare thing. Then I found a lake that had an abundance of them and rediscovered them. Sure I'd lose a bait to them from time to time, but it was no big deal. They would hit a rattle-trap like a ton of bricks. The state would give you a "citation" for them over a certain size. I forget what that size was, but my wife and I caught so many we stopped sending them in. After you got a half dozen or so, it was no big deal. But those those things were fun to catch.

[@Fishman2114]

@@richardjohnson4238 Sounds like a blast 👍

[@joe9743]

I just love how voracious they are early spring (when i have actual time to fish 😂) noting els is really very active at that tine in my area atleast.

[@Fishman2114]

@@joe9743 These guys seem to be some of the most active fish. The pike family are typically the first fish to spawn so yeah early spring they are ready to go 😉

[@cerebraltackle]

Chains are intelligent, fun and aggressive. They're a blast. I love to catch and release them.

[@realt1me]

i’ve always had a soft spot for chain pickerel since it was my first fish. there was a pond right behind my grandparents house that was filled with them. and some pretty nice sized bass. but first fish was a 10 inch chain pickerel, which was somehow 18 years ago. man i feel old. that pond is still around today and I still fish there occasionally. it’s at bailey’s park in sayreville new jersey in case anyone is interested.

[@Fishman2114]

@@realt1me Very surprisingly your first fish was a chain pickerel. For most anglers it’s some kind of panfish, like Bleugill, pumpkin see, or Rock bass

[@NovaPrime99]

One of my favorite fish to catch. Awesome looking, with a huge mouth full of little daggers- they're totally bad-a$$. I don't often keep fish, but when I do, these are up there with perch in terms of flavor. Really good eating. Pain to clean- until you know the five-fillet method. Look it up, you won't regret it!

[@gekam72]

I love your videos and hope that you grow bigger! Keep it up fish man

[@Fishman2114]

@@gekam72 Appreciate it 😁

[@grumpypotamus7143]

I love these guys. They strike hard, fight great, and are also really tasty. I fish a lot of snakehead so I'm used to the toothy torpedo setup, and these guys eat the same things so I catch s lot of them as a byproduct

[@Fishman2114]

@@grumpypotamus7143 I hope whenever you catch a snakehead you don’t throw it back…

[@grumpypotamus7143]

@@Fishman2114 They're delicious and I have a big freezer...

[@i.v.blankenship]

I can see how a professional or amateur bass angler in a tournament could hate these guys as every chain cuts into potential bass time, but they are fun. 4lb is my personal best.

[@Fishman2114]

@@i.v.blankenship Professional fishing kinda feels like it ruins the hobby a bit in terms of fun. A lot of them just focus on catching one species, it’s fun to get out there and see what bites. It’s fun to try new things. I fish to have fun at the end of the day

[@woodscrafter1971]

Personally I've only caught a couple, they don't seem to be that common where I fish in Wisconsin. I'd love to catch more!! I may be biased as I love to catch pike but they are for sure the most beautiful native species of pike. Give me some water filled with rock bass and chain pickerel and I'd be happy guy. This is a great series, keep it going! Freshwater drum perhaps? Bowfin? 😀

[@Fishman2114]

@@woodscrafter1971 I am on the hunt to catching a bowfin!!! Didn’t get one this summer so hopefully next. Just curious why do you think Freshwater Drum are controversial?

[@TheMrplayitsafe]

I've noticed where there are pickerel and bass the bass are more agressive, which is nice.

[@Fishman2114]

@@TheMrplayitsafe Hmm interesting observation, I haven’t really thought of that but I could see it making sense. Two stable populations of predatory fish becoming more aggressive in order to compete with each other is natural.

[@czfshn]

I’ve yet to catch a chain pickerel, but I love them very much❤ Their fights aren’t bad and their explosive hits are super fun! Walleye hits/fights are the same thing really. They hit really hard and then the fight is rather slow and not as eventful as many bass anglers or pike fishers would like. That being said… if you want a fish that lacks in fight… Your next video should be on bullheads.

[@Fishman2114]

@@czfshn That’s a solid suggestion, especially because I made a video about targeting bullhead awhile back!

[@jasonm1884]

Agreed! Bullheads are a disgusting animal. They are the only species I don't want to catch

[@cflowers69]

I caught a 22 and then a 23 inch pickerel last week. The bigger one bit through my 20 pound braid.

[@Fishman2114]

@@cflowers69 Sounds like a good week 👍

[@liamcrawford9861]

No hate here. I actually like them. While they do pose challenges when targeting them, they’re still pretty cool looking. I bet they’re the one species that bites when nothing else does. I’ve yet to catch a chains but I’ve caught grass pickerel in Arkansas. I’ve also caught some of their Northern cousins up north.

[@Fishman2114]

@@liamcrawford9861 Very cool! We don’t have grass pickerel here, and really I don’t even know much about them. But it’d be fun to get a second species of pickerel on my species count

[@liamcrawford9861]

@@Fishman2114 I think fish in the pike family as a whole, especially chain pickerel are underrated. Muskie might be the one exception but they’re still a lifetime catch. We don’t have chains where I live but we do have pike and muskie. I hope to catch some in the future if I’m ever able to visit New England.

[@justinfloyd9936]

I love catching pickerel. the big ones put up crazy fights

[@gregorykurilla7205]

The worst part about catching a pickerel is the slime, especially when ice fishing

[@tjtraxxas3666]

I personally have never cautin a chain Pickrel, but I mainly target northern Pike, but I hope to catch a musky one day. My biggest pike is 20 to 30 pounds and I agree with this guy they’re just smaller pike

[@waterwolf4488]

I love me some pickerel. During the hot summer months when i have a hard time putting fish in the boat i have a few go to spots for pickerel

[@jacobcloyd8486]

I've only ever caught 1 in my life but it's one of my favorite fish, look at that predatory structure

[@Fishman2114]

@@jacobcloyd8486 I really don’t catch them often… haven’t even gotten one this year. I usually end up with 1 or 2 at least. So for me they’re a fun treat to catch. They are beauties though

[@Lefseole]

I think it would be cool to catch a pickerel since i dont have them where i live, its like a shiny version of a pike.

[@Fishman2114]

@@Lefseole Realistically it’s a downgraded pike, but they look really cool and are still a really fun fish!

[@theviking363]

People please understand the Pike. Here in Michigan, Pickerel are called "Walleye". Pike are a different species and I could be mistaken. I purposely fish for Pike and release the Muskie's. If you have the patience and skills to clean these fish you will be rewarded. They don't call em "Poor Man's Lobster" for nothing. The meat is flaky tender and juicy. Enjoy.

[@evanbrown2594]

These things will live in a ditch where I grew up in Nova Scotia. Ate a few of them in the springtime. Like eating mud and weed flavored fish. Fun to catch though when the bass are not on.

[@Fishman2114]

@@evanbrown2594 Mmmm you make it sound so tasty 😂

[@Ssargent888]

People just hate pickerel because they eat anything. So you’re out with your light trout tackle, and a pickerel comes along and just cuts your line. Personally I fish a little heavier than I should and typically run bass tackle, so I’m usually okay catching the pickerel too. But when they do nip my line it’s annoying. The very first fish I ever caught by myself was a giant chain pickerel, so I kinda like them.

[@jasonm1884]

In my experience they fight harder than bass. I've never found them to slow down after the initial bite. Fun fish! Everyone around here hates them though. Actually, it seems to me that around here there are a few trout fisherman and a few people who target smallmouth but the vast majority only want to catch largemouth bass and they complain about everything else. It would be interesting to see a video about what I perceive to be the most hated fish: CARP!

[@DrDitchpickle]

I love catching pickerel! Great video!

[@jakepage7383]

underrated for sure

[@Fishman2114]

@@jakepage7383 Agreed

[@lukeaxelson4191]

I like eating pike, but I've never had a pickerel. Does it taste like a northern?

[@salmonmarine]

Carp for episode 3. I understand why they are hated, but they are the biggest fish you can catch in urban environments

[@Fishman2114]

@@salmonmarine I’m definitely planning on doing an episode on the common carp! Not sure when it’ll be out, could be the next episode or later down the line. Haven’t fully decided yet 🤷‍♂️

[@salmonmarine]

@@Fishman2114 awesome! Love the videos keep up the great work

[@gregchilders7643]

Im from NJ and my pb is a 34 inch from a cranberry bog reservoir. I enjoy them "PINEY POWER"!!!!

[@Fishman2114]

@@gregchilders7643 Wow that’s a biggie! What was the weight?

[@gregchilders7643]

@@Fishman2114 I didn't have a scale . I just catch and release but I estimate 6+lbs

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

34”? Good lord. My PB is 4’11” here in NJ ice fishing and I think the fish was only maybe 27 inches but it was FAT. Catch and release always but we used to being a scale

[@gregchilders7643]

@@davidlarsen-tj4tn It was back in the 90's when I caught it and was on private property. Unfortunately they gave the property to the state and hurricane Sandy blew out the levees. No more big fish

[@michaelfuller7635]

Their my personal favorite fish to fish for besides brook trout. Biggest ones I ever caught here in maine were 24" 5 pounds and another at 27" . To this day I'm trying to catch bigger. I want to beat the world and my state record which is 9 pounds and something. And their excellent eating if you debone them correctly too. 😊

[@Fishman2114]

@@michaelfuller7635 5 pounds is a awesome pickerel! Best of luck finding one over 9 pounds 😅

[@robsteves4408]

Can you do a video on pike/musky? thx and subbed

[@Fishman2114]

@@robsteves4408 Welcome to the channel

[@Birdofthetacklebox]

DO CARP!!!

[@Fishman2114]

@@Birdofthetacklebox Ok

[@robertsprague8448]

Fun fish to catch. Bring a rag if you are squeamish about slime.

[@norm3v]

Great video on the ol' picker-aaal! I still can't find the love for them lol. But I respect them and never touch them so my skin acid doesn't kill them, just pliers to grab the hook and turn. They are super vulnerable to our acids, like trout, so best you do your best to not grab them with your hands without wetting your hands first. Hopefully they can keep the snakehead population down like pike do for carp :).

[@glennquagmire1747]

They are good fighters, they have a roll to play in nature as some humans !!!

[@edwardmccoy274]

Do you have a video about the Bowfin? Aka mub fish

[@Fishman2114]

@@edwardmccoy274 I do not, but I’d definitely consider making one in this series about them. They are an awesome fish that I have always wanted to catch. Despite this some people think of them as trashy which is undeserved

[@johnnydartersaresuperiorbeings]

People hate bowfin??

[@Larry-d1c]

Another annoying trait of chain pickeral, or jackfish as they are called here in Georgia, is they will follow your lure all the way to the boat and attack it right at the boat. This makes it even more likely to loose your lure

[@alanstebbings2886]

I'm watching this from the UK where we only have the larger Northern Pike They're normally fished for with a wire trace to prevent bite offs I'd suggest you watch some of the UK based content for handling and unhooking advice Lured by Esox is a good one but you may struggle with his Yorkshire accent

[@Bryan-dn1nx]

I am 60 years old and have fished least 55 years , I have seen a massive decline in fishing and what is caught , I truly now believe any fish we catch is a privilege , and to hate any species of fish is just doing more damage to are fisheries , respect our fisheries because when its gone ITS GONE

[@daerth4423]

Not far behind you in age and experience and at least here in KY, other than the invasive carp issue, the fishing is lightyears better now than when I was younger.

[@ltgray2780]

The Esox family is my favorite, too.

[@Fishman2114]

@@ltgray2780 I just love how they look and how powerful they are! Truly the top of the predatory fish list

[@jasonjenkyns5083]

You forgot the slime!

[@ЄгорМушенко]

never caught anything from the pike family since where i live, somehow they went extinct or no one had introduced them, but i'm still looking forward to catching them

[@alexross26]

I forget people live in places that arent densely populated. Maybe they deserve to complain but id be ecstatic if I got a pickerel

[@Fishman2114]

@@alexross26 Same here, I actually really want to catch one this year

[@sektorify]

As a walleye fisherman, the hate is real 😂 effing slime darts!!! Pickerel are actually very good to eat but even then you have to deal with the Y bones.

[@blackmoonangler]

I grew up catching them so I like them but a huge reason people hate them is because they’re so slimy, wriggly and hard to hold

[@Fishman2114]

@@blackmoonangler That’s definitely true. Holding them through the gills is best, but those fish handler grasps actually make handling them a breeze.

[@uvveshlurvvesh6515]

Dude... I'm happy for every fish that bites on my hook - no matter how big or small they are. 😂 Rock Bass? I know them as Pike, Snook, Hecht but never heard of Rock Bass before

[@georgiabowhunter]

Super fun fish to catch.

[@rex_ad_regum7540]

I love catching some pickers. Tully Lake NY for the win I tell ya. You in a slump and need a confidence day of fishing...they are waiting for you. They got that Dr Love for your self esteem. Ive put the first slime on 2 new fishing Kayaks with a Picker and I wont hesitate to do it again either.

[@VictorF0326]

Who hates rock bass? I've never once heard. Pickerel yes. They're not that big, and they chop our lines.

[@zcatplayzzzz4179]

i like them

[@Fishman2114]

@@zcatplayzzzz4179 Same here