Pike News
Stay ahead of the game - Glow for illuminor
Looking for an edge over the competition? Well you need to be quick. A luminous gel, said to increase catches by 50%, is already available in several European countries and is sure to be a hit when it arrives here.
The gel lights baits up with a luminous green glow, similar to the colour of Starlights. I can imagine deadbait, livebait and lures getting the treatment from illuminor, which was unveiled by Italian firm Antiche Pasture at the EFTTEX 2008 tackle show.
Illuminor will be available in a variety of fishy, fruity and savoury flavours and can be used to light up all manner of baits.
If this is anywhere near as good as it looks it will take all strands of fishing by storm. But how long will it take fish to "wise up"?
Keep your eyes peeled for it hitting the shops and give it a go as soon as you can. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
One final thought; if it is as good as it looks, how long will it be before fishery owners start banning illuminor?
More information is available from the illuminor website. Fluent in Italian?
Andy Webster
Who's stung by the Stinger?
Will you fall for the latest concept in lure design? A single dorsal hook remains hidden during the retrieve to avoid the weed, but pops up when you strike.
We all have problems with weed when lure fishing and the concept is attractive, but the idea raises questions.
First of all, the weed will still collect around the eye and snap link, so I don’t believe it can remain weed free.
The idea of a hidden hook reminds me of the days before the hair rig in carp fishing and I wouldn’t like to go there again!
A striking pike will clamp on to the lure before you can react. Will the hook engage with the boney roof of the pikes mouth pressing down on it?
Finally, I would like to see how the hook works. I can only imagine that it pivots but I could be wrong. However, it will have some moving parts; will these be reliable when the inevitable debris gets in?
I will reserve judgement until I see the finished lure and try it out for myself. Let me know your thoughts once you have tried one out and I will publish your comments on the site.
The Stinger will be available soon from the Strike Pro company.
Andy Webster
Piking 2008
Saturday 27th September 2008 - National Agricultural Showground, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry
Following on the back of the hugely succesful Piking 2007 event, the Pike Anglers Club's annual convention will once again be held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. Derek MacDonald and Graham Slater will be accompanied on the podium by international pike anglers, P.A.Hogberg from Sweden and Dutchman, Michel Huigevoort. The full line up of guest speakers is yet to be confirmed.
Andy Webster
Save the Broads
The PAC is petitioning the Prime Minister in a bid save a huge part of the Norfolk Broads.
Government conservation advisers Natural England have drafted proposals to allow the sea to claim 25sq miles of the Upper Thurne area. Horsey Mere, Heigham Sound, Hickling and Martham Broads, some of the most important pike fishing venues in recent history, would be lost forever. Environment secretary, Hilary Benn told BBC Radio, “Stark choices will have to be made over the defence of our coastline, and some areas ultimately might have to be surrendered to the sea.” Read more on this subject from the Coastal Concern Action Group and Eastern Daily Press.
This story is getting bigger and the coverage is wide. The Daily Telegraph has attacked the Government for neglecting the countryside and suggests, "Our eastern lowlands are a national, not a local treasure, and if they are lost, they will not be retrievable." We had a family holiday on the broads two years ago and to think that penny pinching today will cost future generations the same opportunity just to send out the right message about the scale and severity of the impacts of climate change has to be unforgivable.
Andy Webster
Cormorant Eats Pike
Anglers have for years been scathing in their views of the Cormorant which has become the scurge of many of our inland fisheries. Never doubt the potential these predators have for decimating quality fish stocks. Check out the fantastic photos and full story. Click Here>>
Andy Webster
Bassenthwaite Lake Under Threat
This Survey Has Now Closed
Pike anglers at Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria are being urged to report their catches to assist in a survey to determine the scale of a water quality and pollution problem besetting the Lake District National Park Water. Reports can be sent to Bailiff, Paul Burnell who said, "we want to compare fish caught in 2007 with previous catches to see if there are any significant changes in fish populations". He added, "some of the most significant differences seem to have been among pike stocks”.
Further information is available from the Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Program website.
A survey form and email address can be found on the Lake District National Park website.
Andy Webster
Interview with Derek Gibson
The Fishing Magic website has a fascinating interview with one of the most succesful pike anglers around today. Sheffield born Derek Gibson, a lure specialist, offers a rare insight into his pike fishing on Damflask reservoir and reveals his favourite tools of the trade. Click Here >>
Andy Webster
PAC30 available to pre order
Thirty pike anglers who read like a who's who of pike angling have contributed their stories to a commemorative tomb in the name of the Pike Anglers Club.
The book, named simply PAC30, was commissioned to celebrate the club's 30th anniversary in 2007 and features chapters by well known writers Barrie Rickards, Neville Fickling and Mick Brown. But even more anticipation will surround the less prolific writers such as current British Record Holder Roy Lewis and Broadland specialists Derrick Amies and John Watson.
PAC30 is available on a limited print run in hardback (£25 + £5 P and P). PAC members have the opportunity to spend £185 + £5 P+P for one of a hundred leather bound copies, which are sure to be snapped up by collectors.
For further details or to order your copy visit the PAC Website.
Andy Webster
Blithfield bids for British Record
Controversial Staffordshire trout water, Blithfield reservoir, is allowing a limited number of pike anglers the opportunity to fish with deadbaits for a potential british record pike. Eight lucky anglers will pay £365 each for eight days piking at the previously lure only venue this winter. The angling world and pikers in general will be holding their breath during the first and last weekends in November and February. Anyone interested in this unique opening should call 07766 880718 for more information.
Source: Angling Times
Andy Webster