food for pike
this page could go on for ever! what with the options open to the pike angler. for example - live bait, dead baits, static dead bait, roaming live bait etc etc. with that thought in mind, and my intention to try an keep everything basic; i'm not going to list all the baits that can be used to catch pike, but instead i'm simply going to list my 5 favourite baits that will catch you a pike; almost guaranteed!
the option to use live bait is open for discussion and some people have no problem using live bait where as some others do. where ever you fish, however, you will have to check to make sure that your local fishing club state either way if you are permitted to use live bait or not. my personal opinion is i am happy to use live bait if my dead baits are not producing bites. live baits often score heavily over a dead bait, but on average (in my opinion) the result is usually a smaller pike. there are exceptions obviously and live baits do account for some fine "double" figure specimens.
my advice to you is to experiment. swap and change your baits. try floating your bait, try keeping it on the bottom. keep moving your baits, also have the confidence to leave it where it is and let the pike find it. experimentation is the key to success. get to know your water well. look for hidden snags where pike might sit up and wait for their food to swim past. try and find drop off points under the water. these are often good pike holding areas and are always the best places to start. along the edges of reed beds for example. the best advice i can give is to not be afraid to ask local fisherman. pick their brains and ask them if the water your fishing does actually hold pike! not all do. if they do, ask where the pike often feed - pike often keep to one area and like to patrol back and forth, so if you can find their area, then you have a good chance they will come across your bait.
i will now list my five favourite baits for catching pike. all work well and all work well on different days. what might have been a deadly bait one day, may not have been on another. the five i've mentioned, however, do work most times and the five always fill me with complete confidence.
