Pike are one of the most exciting freshwater fish to catch on the fly. They are known for their aggressive strikes, strong fights, and impressive size. If you’re looking to catch more pike on the fly, here are some tips to help you be successful.
Use a large fly: Pike are predators and are often looking for a big meal, so use a large fly that imitates a baitfish or other prey. Some popular fly patterns for pike include the bunny leech, deceivers, and clouser minnows.
Use a wire leader: Pike have sharp teeth that can cut through regular fishing line, so use a wire leader to prevent losing your fly. A 7-9 inch wire leader with a 30-40 pound test is recommended.
Fish in weedy areas: Pike often hide in weed beds and ambush their prey, so fishing in weedy areas can be productive. Be sure to use weedless flies to prevent snagging.
Vary your retrieve: Pike can be picky, so vary your retrieve speed and pattern until you find what works best. Some effective retrieve patterns for pike include stripping the fly fast, pausing and jerking the fly, and slow and steady retrieves.
Look for structure: Pike often hang out near structure such as logs, rocks, or drop-offs. Focus your fishing efforts around these areas.
Fish during low light conditions: Pike are more active during low light conditions such as early morning or late evening, so plan your fishing trips accordingly. Fishing during overcast days can also be productive.
Use a sinking line: Pike often hang out in deeper water, so using a sinking line can help get your fly down to where the fish are. A type 6 or 7 sinking line is recommended for fishing in deep water.
Be patient: Pike can be elusive and often require patience and persistence to catch. Don’t give up if you don’t catch anything right away. Keep trying different flies and retrieve patterns until you find what works.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of catching more pike on the fly. Remember to always practice catch-and-release to help conserve these amazing fish for future generations.
For more information on fly fishing for pike, check out our website at globalfishingguide.com
The pandemic proved to be quite a turning point in my pike fishing adventures in the Netherlands. With just about everything in the Netherlands closed, Pike remained firmly open for business.
You can find Pike in just about every corner of the Netherlands, they live in the rivers, lakes, polders, even the brackish reclaimed lakes that would once have been the North Sea. They are the ultimate Apex predator and offer both the fly and lure fisherman incredible sport if you know where to look.
The Dutch Vispass fishing licence opens up an incredible amount of water for its 50 pound fee. This includes a huge number of gravel pits which would be private in most other countries. I live around Nijmegen and have hundreds in a 50 mile radius all of which hold big heads of meter plus pike .
Pike are armed with serious teeth, so if you are not used to handling them, its well worth starting out with someone who knows what they are doing. Number one tip, never go pike fishing without a decent pair of long nose pliers. Getting tremble hooks out of Pikes mouths is not something to do with your hands.
So how to catch these toothy critters in the Netherlands?
The simplest answer is using soft plastic baits such as the one above. From my experience Pike basically eat anything that swims in front of them. However some baits seem to work better than others.
My personal favourite is the above Pig Shad Jr. in olive green. This looks a bit like a small Pike or a Perch, two of the Pikes main meals.
This can be rigged in a number of ways, however I prefer a weighted nose cone and stinger rig. I have experimented with both single and double stinger rigs, Both seem to work just fine. You can spend a lot of money on pre made wire stinger rigs for these large soft plastics, I have now perfected a much cheaper version, using a treble and Madcat Power Braid Leader material. This material is strong enough for even the biggest of Pike and unlike wire can be easily tied on the river bank without the need for crimps and wire cutters.
My other go to lure especially on smaller waters is the Fox Rage Zander Pro Shad – 12cm – ultra UV perch these seems to get smashed by all pike up to 80cm. Depending on the depth of the water I try and rig it with as light a jig head as possible, as the action seems to be better on slower retrieves.
Armed with these two lures you won’t go far wrong in most dutch waters around the margins of all lakes and rivers.
The other toy I have invested in which has brought a huge amount of please and freedom is a belly boat.
With so many lakes not having boat ramps very few people fish these lakes from a boat and as such there are vast areas that never get fished. Pike can be found all over the drop offs of most lakes. They also like to follow the wind and baitfish on a windy day. The boat also has a fish finder, this makes fishing for pike even more exciting when a large pike shaped lump appears on the sonar.
If you are just starting out Decathlon have launched a belly boat for under €200 euros. I purchased mine second hand, and came with the fish finder. If you are serious about predator fishing you will never regret purchasing one of these. If you just want to try it out get in touch as we offer a rental service as well as guided trips.
Rod and Reel
Throwing lures, especially big lures all day can be hard work. You don’t need a massive reel with miles of line as Pike don’t make long dashes. I would recommend a light spinning reel with 40lb braid and strong leader. I use a 40lb floro leader direct to the lure of about 1m. I have not been bitten off yet, but always check after catching a fish.
The rods only real requirement is that it can take a heavy bait being cast. You can use a carp rod if you are pushed, but a specialist spinning rod is more enjoyable over the course of a long day.
Pike fishing is very basic fishing without the need for massive amounts of gear. You can walk round a lake for a couple of hours carrying all your gear in your coat pocket. I like to travel light and work as much water as possible.
Now (Sept-Dec) is the best time of year as the fish are fattening up for winter. Spring is also amazing as the big girls come into the shallows to spawn and can be caught in very shallow water.
If you are in Netherlands or thinking of visiting get in touch. I offered guided pike fishing trips around Nijmegen and Arnhem, all gear supplied. We also have some great pubs and breweries and offer combined beer and fishing tours. More details here.
Tight lines and hope to see you soon in the Netherlands.
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