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Steve’s TOP TACKLE TIPS


On board a boat it is important to keep things tidy when space is at a premium. Accidents can happen all too easily. Steve keeps a small kit bag of spare terminal tackle items, plus a hook sharpening tool and forceps, always close to hand.


THE END RESULT


DESPITE only tempting one more small jack, seen here, Steve has thoroughly enjoyed his day. ‘Hopefully, on my next visit I’ll tempt an even larger one,’ he concludes. ‘Pike to 36 lb have been


tempted this season. This place is simply gorgeous, and despite fishing hard today, I was just happy to be here surrounded by glorious autumnal scenery,’ he concludes.


A purpose-made unhooking glove allows for easier and safer handling of pike. Avoiding being lacerated by the gill rakers or the ferocious teeth makes a lot of sense.


On top of Steve’s tackle box he has pads of foam. These are used for temporarily holding lures. Keeping the hooks in the foam stops them falling on the bottom of the boat or catching in other items such as nets or clothing.


expresses his opinion: ‘When out on a boat, you can cover a lot of water, and a good sounder offers some clues as to where the fish may be. ‘Does it catch you fish? Most certainly not, but it


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does allow you to make more calculated guesses, and that has to be useful on big waters. Fish of all species like to find cover, or ‘structure’ as it is often referred to. Underwater islands, drop offs, weedbeds etc can all be identified more easily by using a sounder. ‘Another useful aspect is to prevent you from


running the engine aground in shallow areas. It’s always worth avoiding that when you are renting a boat and engine for the day, as it could prove costly! ‘We are in the middle of the lake now and have


found a spot where there is a drop-off. Pike like to lie in wait and attack prey fish from below. I think, we’ll give this area some time and see what happens.’


(pictured), which is a crazy looking wiggling lure 11:20 SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE ✆ 0844 848 0848


As Steve brings the lure up the slope he gets a solid take on an Alien Eel


Do echo sounders/fishfinders actually help to catch fish? Steve


that no doubt looks like an eel to the pike. Eels are common in Esthwaite. ‘It’s very fat, but not long,’ Steve exclaims as he struggles to control a couple of the first runs of his precious first pike of the day. ‘It’s only lightly hooked,’ he declares to boat partner


Prev, who carefully scoops it up when within reach, after a short but hectic scrap, much to Steve’s obvious delight and relief! It looks likes a really nice pike, as he hoists it on board to lay on the mat for unhooking.


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RESULT! Not the largest pike ever caught from the prolific waters of


Esthwaite, but on a cold, clear day when only a couple of others were reported to the boats, it’s a sight for sore eyes, and Steve is delighted. ‘Well, the mist cleared and I finally got myself an


Esthwaite crocodile,’ said Steve. ‘It’s somewhat battle scarred, but it’s a cracking


high-double-figure specimen, which I got back into the icy cold water as swiftly as possible after unhooking it.’


The central area of the boat is used for an unhooking mat. A soft unhooking mat on a boat safeguards the landed pike when it is being unhooked, and you should not be without one.


TICKET information


TICKETS at Esthwaite are £27 for predator fishing from a boat, £7 for general coarse fishing from the bank. Tel: 015394 36541. More info at www.hawksheadtrout.com


ON SALE TUESDAY anglersmail.com 19


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