Fishing Wales: Tactics - Fishing Visit Wales

Pike are predators and two main methods are commonly used for catching them - fishy baits and spinning. Those who prefer spinning have one great advantage; they are able to roam the water freely. Although Pike can be found wandering in open water, they prefer to lie in wait close to, or often within, weeds and snags awaiting their chance to pounce. Your spinner (the bigger, the better) should be dragged as slowly and as closely as possible past any likely spots, ready to strike hard and get the fish out in the open water before it dives back into its lair. In rivers, it therefore pays to fish downstream so the spinner can use the current to stay nearly static. Cast straight across and allow the current to swing the spinner in towards the bank without winding in, hold it in one spot as long as you can then retrieve very slowly. River Pike are leaner and tougher than those in still water and put up a fierce fight.

For bait fishing, it pays to have a cool-box to keep the bait fresh; decomposed fish tend to drop off on a long cast besides being unpleasant to handle. Either use a running ledger on the bottom for long casting or a large float manoeuvred along the edges of weed patches or roots a foot or so from the bottom. Bait additives sometimes help and cold, dull days usually give best results.