First 20lb Pike: February 1993

This pike below weighed in at 20½lb and was taken on a float fished sardine, about 3 feet under the top, about ¾ of the way up Long Lake on the North Bank. I was using a re-ringed Winfisher Specimen, to which I'd added a screw fitting reel seat. Not a bad rod at all. I had an old Cardinal Bronco and 12lb Perlon with a 2 Double hook trace.

It didn't put up much of a fight after the first run and I remember being stunned by the size of the fish, which wasn't at all consistent with the fight it put up, which was feeble. From a short diary I kept, this was February the day was windy and mild, and I cannot remember whether I caught any others that day (and I have no note).

Luckily for me a TAA committee member come by (on the way back from a match) to help take pictures and weigh the fish. None of the other committee members could be bothered to come over to record or witness it. Thanks lads.

I not sure I'd hold a pike like that these days, but at the time I was rather pleased with the opportunity to have some snaps for posterity.

That's 'Long Lake' in the background and my old Army rucksack, chair and carrier bag for deadbait.

``·.¸¸.·´ ><((((((º>
´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((((º>