Predator season

[Russkii Jim]

Sorry if this is a really stupid question but why is there a limited 'season' during which you are allowed to fish for pike but this appears not to be the case for other 'predators'? I am aware despite their image pike can be in fact fairly delicate but with careful handling surely there is no need for a limited time to fish for them?. Furthermore do all angling clubs have the limited season for catching pike or is it just Cemex? (I hasten to add I have no intention of fishing for them on Cemex waters outside the season but what if for instance I was spinning for perch outside the season and a pike take the lure where would i stand in any passing bailiff's eyes on that one.....)

[trackday]

Sorry if this is a really stupid question but why is there a limited 'season' during which you are allowed to fish for pike but this appears not to be the case for other 'predators'? I am aware despite their image pike can be in fact fairly delicate but with careful handling surely there is no need for a limited time to fish for them?. Furthermore do all angling clubs have the limited season for catching pike or is it just Cemex? (I hasten to add I have no intention of fishing for them on Cemex waters outside the season but what if for instance I was spinning for perch outside the season and a pike take the lure where would i stand in any passing bailiff's eyes on that one.....)

my club has a much longer pike season.we dont have many members though so they dont see much pressure,i think angling pressure and mishandling is a problem for cemex as they have a massive membership.at least they care about their fish
contary to popular belief,cemex bailiffs(i used to be one)are a good friendly bunch and are not waiting to pounce on people and take tickets so i wouldnt worry about that to much mate:thumbs:

[lyndon]

The problem is that even with limited handling especially in warm water Pike will fight its heart out. Its not designed for such prolonged activity and therefore will be exhausted. Its all to easy to kill a Pike in warm water. I personally don't fish for them in the summer. I know people who do and they have few problems but they all lure fish only as a Pike will wolf a bait down in summer, causing deep hooking. If your fishing for them in warm water the quicker they are returned the better. Unhook them in the water if you can.

I don't fish for them past the 15th March as they are well into spawning then and its not fair in my view.

[Russkii Jim]

Lyndon - that makes sense mate and i don't fish for pike out of season although if I am honest this is primarily due to the fact these are Cemex rules and I had not thought of other issues you mention. Notwithstanding that I know there are sometimes PAC anglers who appear on this forum and call me a cynic but i surmise there are some of them (who are very experienced pike anglers) who may fish longer into the season on other waters. I would be interested to hear what they have to say. Rest assured however I am happy enough looking for other species outside the season but am interested in other pike angler views on how they could be seen to "justify" their pike fishing later in the season. I accept of course they will be more experienced and as such could deal with the associated risks maintaining pike welfare all the time. :)

[daveaylett]

Lyndon has it spot on...

It doesn't matter how experienced or not you are, pike fight harder in warmer water temperatures.This leads to a build up of lactic acid in the pike's muscles and leads to a much higher chance of fatality than in the winter months.

My view is also that after spawning, (although the pike will consume more food during the spring and summer months)the pike will be at its lowest weight.

There are plenty of other species to fish for where they'll be in peak condition during the summer and best leave the fragile pike 'til the winter when they start to pack on the weight.

To fish for 'em in the summer will only go to diminish your chances of a good winter's piking on the same venue.