Fly fishing is a technique that’s growing in popularity as more anglers are learning the benefits it has to offer. It’s an effective way to fish and it’s very exciting when you hook a pike on the end of a fly rod. When fly fishing for this species, it’s important to choose the right type of rod. Fly fishing line is heavy so it takes a powerful rod to handle it and get the flies in the strike zone. A nine foot pike rod combined with a 10 weight fishing line is a good setup to start out using.
The pike is a very exciting species because they’re an aggressive fighter that will help you create some wonderful stories to share with friends and family. You will find this species in the northern parts of the world because they thrive better in the cold water.
Like many other species, the pike are very active during the night but you can catch them during the day as well. They are more active when the water is choppy and on overcast days than when it’s hot and sunny but if you fish in the shady areas you can entice them to strike.
Pike Fly Fishing Secrets
The pike is an amazing species that make a fantastic game fish. Learning all you can about this species will help to make you a better fisherman. Take some time to study them and their habits. Some of the things that you’ll learn include the way water temperature affects this species. For example, pike will respond to your bait better and they feed the most aggressively in water that averages around 65 degrees.
The late fall and early winter is a great time to go fishing for pike because they feed very heavy during this time as they prepare for the long winter ahead. You can find many small pike in the shallow water and around weedbeds but the larger ones spend most of their time in the deeper parts of the water. This gives you a starting point based on what size fish you want to catch.
Here are three pike fly fishing secrets that will help you become a better fly fisherman:
1. Choose a reel with a good drag system. This species has a tendency of running fast when they’re hooked and your system must have the capability of absorbing this sudden burst of energy or you’ll run into problems.
2. Use a wire trace when fishing for this species because they have sharp teeth that can cut through regular fishing line. These should be at least 12 inches long. Check your line regularly to look for any damage so you can replace it when needed. This way, you won’t lose your catch due to weak or damaged fishing line.
3. When fly fishing, you’ll need a net to help you land the fish and bring it onshore due to the long length of the fly rod. Trying to bring the fish in without a net could be very difficult unless you have someone helping you by taking the fish off the hook for you. The best nets are the ones with a pear or round shape and they should have a diameter of at least 30 inches.
Barbless hooks are the best to use for this species and it’s recommended that you carry a hook removal are a good pair of needle nose pliers with you to help remove the hook. You don’t want your hands anywhere near the teeth of this fish.
Personal Safety Tips
When fishing, you always want to follow the standard safety rules designed for being around water. Pay close attention to the weather and wear a life jacket especially when fishing in rough water or when you’re fishing in unfamiliar waters. You never know when you might step into a deep hole or drop-off so you need to be prepared. Even if you are a good swimmer, it’s still a good idea to wear your life vest. The cold water can shock your body and hinder you from swimming.
When fly fishing, you should always were eye protection. These can be a good pair of sunglasses or goggles but you need to protect your eyes. It’s possible for the flies to swing around and hit you in the face especially if you’re new to the sport.
When fly fishing from a boat you must be careful. The boat should be moving at a very slow drift to reduce accidents and to make it easier to control your cast. Back trolling can be used to help reduce the speed of the boat if it’s moving too fast.
You must also be aware of others around you whether they’re fishing or simply enjoying a day on the water. You don’t want to hit someone else with your fly or be hit by someone else’s fly. Pay attention to what’s going on around you and this will help you avoid accidents so you can have a fun and productive fly fishing trip.