Handling and unhooking techniques for the survival of
Esox Lucius or Northern pike
I hope you enjoy this training module and please let me know what you think of our efforts by completing our feedback form by clicking on the link after you have watched my training video. Thanks Marc O'Regan.
Pike are a low density predator and the angling pressure on the species is fast growing in popularity both at home and abroad.
The handling procedures to be discussed are applicable to all species however pike just like salmon have very long bodies and to a large extent therein lies one of the main problems. Fishing for pike has generated many recreational and economic opportunies within Ireland we must be mindful that it comes with a price tag. Ireland is rich in limestone lakes and rivers and has the ability to grow pike very quickly indeed for example a 6 year old fish can weigh 20 lbs while its equivalent in England only grows to half the weight in the same time. Properly managed this is a very important sustainable natural resource which needs sensitive and delicate handling.
View video on tools you need for fish handling and unhooking techniques ( Please note you may need a broadband connection )
In the knowledge that playing a fish for an excessive period is harmful and leads to a more difficult release situation landing a fish should be done with a proper knotless net measuring greater than 35 inches across. Bank and boat landing are quite different and need to be looked at separately.
When bank fishing never leave your rod unattended. I always practice pro active fishing which allows you to strike immediately and avoid deep hooking.
Landing should be precise and quick no long playing periods and line strength should always be sufficient to cope with the biggest of fish.
Fish remains in net throughout dehooking where possible. Dehooking mat should be to hand as should all tools necessary.
Observe location of hooks to avoid entanglement in net and consequent slow release.
Decide on whether to release at this point of the landing procedure and avoid use of mat.
Support fish to landing mat avoid ground contact.
The boat landing procedure is more complicated because of lack of space and the fish should not be brought out of the water until a space is cleared and the mat put in position.
From a drifting boat I prefer to hold the fish in the water on the lea side this is more comfortable for the fish and handler.
Unhooking in the net is my choice and where there is no need to take the fish into the boat a very good release can be affected with minimal stress.
Taking photos of fish being released into the water is to be preferred to the holding up ones.
The photo depicts a very simple procedure where the fish is hooked just on the inside of the jaw a pair of 10 to 12 inch forceps are all that’s required for this one remember a proper initial assessment is required to ensure a smooth and uneventful extraction.
Note the position of the controlling hand under the gill cover and away from the gills, 2 fingers and thumb grip.
A more difficult extraction is where the hooks are caught in the gills or are caught in the gut. With regard to the gills coming in from the side (under the gill cover) is an option and at all costs avoid damaging the gill arches and lamella to this end cut offending hooks with suitable bolt cutters.
Dead bait hook ups probably pose the most serious problems as the hooks sometimes cannot be seen. It is better to avoid this problem insofar as early detection and quick striking can often obviate this situation.
Given that it happens the hooks must be removed and this should be done with a degorging tool as shown in the above photo. In this photo we are attempting to remove the dead bait by a straight pull this sometimes does not work but should be tried.
View video on Fish Handling and Release Techniques from land ( Please note you may need a broadband connection )
Avoid vertical holding at all costs, between 5% and 10% of body weight is in the head. When held vertically the vulnerable area is the underside of the head and a tremendous of pressure is exerted in this area. Held in this position a pike can increase in length by 1 inch with all the subsequent problems.
The best way to support the weight of the pike is using a horizontal hold with the entire supporting arm used as a cradle and the control hand gripping the side of the head.
Inherent in out of water handling is the loss or damage to the protective mucous layer, which protects against underwater bacterial and viral attack.
Keeping hands moist before handling does help again this should be to minimum, under no circumstances attempt to clean a pike when caught as this will certainly lead to long term problems.
Best practice to minimize the risk to pike is to release in the water and learning to photograph this event as proof of capture should be the ultimate goal.
Please click on the link to view our GOAL training videos on Fish Handling and Unhooking Techniques
Please note you may need a broadband connection to view these videos.
WE would really like to hear what you think about this training module. PLEASE click here to complete our survey & provide us with some valuable feedback!!!
Disclaimer:
Cavan Monaghan Rural Development or any of the GOAL partners cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data supplied by each individual training module.
Esox Lucius or Northern pike
I hope you enjoy this training module and please let me know what you think of our efforts by completing our feedback form by clicking on the link after you have watched my training video. Thanks Marc O'Regan.
Introduction
Pike are the apex predators in the inland waterways of Ireland and are a very important link in the chain and must consequently be protected from bad catch and release practices.Pike are a low density predator and the angling pressure on the species is fast growing in popularity both at home and abroad.
The handling procedures to be discussed are applicable to all species however pike just like salmon have very long bodies and to a large extent therein lies one of the main problems. Fishing for pike has generated many recreational and economic opportunies within Ireland we must be mindful that it comes with a price tag. Ireland is rich in limestone lakes and rivers and has the ability to grow pike very quickly indeed for example a 6 year old fish can weigh 20 lbs while its equivalent in England only grows to half the weight in the same time. Properly managed this is a very important sustainable natural resource which needs sensitive and delicate handling.
Objectives
What to expect from this training
- To train anglers to catch and release fish safely to the water without mortality either immediate or later. Being realistic this is not possible as for many reasons fish will die after release however we must strive to achieve the impossible.
- To practice a water release in preference to banking or boating a fish.
- To introduce the angler to the tools needed to unhook a fish with minimal damage.
- To educate the angler to appreciate why releasing fish in certain conditions is fundamentally life threatening (low oxygen levels, high temperatures)
- To impress upon the angler the need for quick strike and avoidance of long playing periods in addition to proper line and rod strength for the task.
View video on tools you need for fish handling and unhooking techniques ( Please note you may need a broadband connection )
Landing pike
In the knowledge that playing a fish for an excessive period is harmful and leads to a more difficult release situation landing a fish should be done with a proper knotless net measuring greater than 35 inches across. Bank and boat landing are quite different and need to be looked at separately.When bank fishing never leave your rod unattended. I always practice pro active fishing which allows you to strike immediately and avoid deep hooking.
Landing should be precise and quick no long playing periods and line strength should always be sufficient to cope with the biggest of fish.
Fish remains in net throughout dehooking where possible. Dehooking mat should be to hand as should all tools necessary.
Observe location of hooks to avoid entanglement in net and consequent slow release.
Decide on whether to release at this point of the landing procedure and avoid use of mat.
Support fish to landing mat avoid ground contact.
The boat landing procedure is more complicated because of lack of space and the fish should not be brought out of the water until a space is cleared and the mat put in position.
From a drifting boat I prefer to hold the fish in the water on the lea side this is more comfortable for the fish and handler.
Unhooking in the net is my choice and where there is no need to take the fish into the boat a very good release can be affected with minimal stress.
Taking photos of fish being released into the water is to be preferred to the holding up ones.
Unhooking
The photo depicts a very simple procedure where the fish is hooked just on the inside of the jaw a pair of 10 to 12 inch forceps are all that’s required for this one remember a proper initial assessment is required to ensure a smooth and uneventful extraction.
Note the position of the controlling hand under the gill cover and away from the gills, 2 fingers and thumb grip.
A more difficult extraction is where the hooks are caught in the gills or are caught in the gut. With regard to the gills coming in from the side (under the gill cover) is an option and at all costs avoid damaging the gill arches and lamella to this end cut offending hooks with suitable bolt cutters.
Dead bait hook ups probably pose the most serious problems as the hooks sometimes cannot be seen. It is better to avoid this problem insofar as early detection and quick striking can often obviate this situation.
Given that it happens the hooks must be removed and this should be done with a degorging tool as shown in the above photo. In this photo we are attempting to remove the dead bait by a straight pull this sometimes does not work but should be tried.
View video on Fish Handling and Release Techniques from land ( Please note you may need a broadband connection )
Holding
Avoid vertical holding at all costs, between 5% and 10% of body weight is in the head. When held vertically the vulnerable area is the underside of the head and a tremendous of pressure is exerted in this area. Held in this position a pike can increase in length by 1 inch with all the subsequent problems.
The best way to support the weight of the pike is using a horizontal hold with the entire supporting arm used as a cradle and the control hand gripping the side of the head.
Inherent in out of water handling is the loss or damage to the protective mucous layer, which protects against underwater bacterial and viral attack.
Keeping hands moist before handling does help again this should be to minimum, under no circumstances attempt to clean a pike when caught as this will certainly lead to long term problems.
Best practice to minimize the risk to pike is to release in the water and learning to photograph this event as proof of capture should be the ultimate goal.
Now watch GOAL training videos on Fish Handling and Unhooking Techniques
Please click on the link to view our GOAL training videos on Fish Handling and Unhooking Techniques
Please note you may need a broadband connection to view these videos.
WE would really like to hear what you think about this training module. PLEASE click here to complete our survey & provide us with some valuable feedback!!!
Disclaimer:
Cavan Monaghan Rural Development or any of the GOAL partners cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data supplied by each individual training module.
