New British record pike

[Ian]

What a fish, an absolute monster. The great thing about pike is that they can repopulate a water in quick time, and that’s why that new record fish is priceless. Well done to the guy for catching it, and landing it ha!

[Snape]

The fishing bank on Chew is quite shallow and 'Traditional' rods and tactics would only scratch the surface there. Of course, the old terminal tackle was never very fish friendly and many fish were left carrying snap tackle around in their mouths. Even with modern gear the fish have seen it all and that makes them much harder to tempt. I welcome the modern approach to predator fishing.

A bait boat is an obvious solution to avoid the crowds and you can find your own spots just as you can by casting around closer in.

It's not always easy though. My friend left the shallow bank one windy day and headed to a spot near the dam. He and his mate watched a bait boat drift in the heavy chop and come to rest against the dam, it was well out of reach of the owner and evidently didn't have the 'return to home' feature that many have when the signal is lost. After taking a battering, it upended and the boat, flashing lights and all were seen disappearing into the depths.

[Jeremy Croxall]

[OldRod]

That video made I larf!!

[RBTraditional]

So succinctly put Snape…

[Grumpy]

What a superb Pike and congratulations to the captor.

[Keston]

Incredible fish . The chap was so clearly delighted too , really pleased for him .

[Liphook]

I can't believe for one moment that CY dreams include O/U shotguns and plastic cartridges! Side by side with hammers and paper cased loads surely, if not muzzle loading black powder?

[Mitch300]

Beautiful photos of a magnificent fish and a happy angler! Congratulations to Lloyd Watson. Can you imagine how much he must have been shaking when trying to get a landing net under that leviathan?

G. B.

[MaggotDrowner]

He looks a happy chappy. Good for him! Rather see him smiling than most of the serious lads in the mags, with a face on them like the photographer has just snapped their rod over their knees.

As for bait boats, to each their own. And if ever there was a venue for them, surely a big res is it. Away from anyone else, not bothering anyone. Can't see the harm. Not like he's driving the thing around a little pond over anyone else's swim.

I don't have any need or desire to use one, but if I ever do I'll make sure to use it with a cane mkiv or one of my LRH no2s just to see how you guys react.

Don't know why we are discussing bait boats on TFF. I don't talk about my carbon on here. It's not the place.

That fish though. The stuff of dreams!