Been thinking far too much today about my pike fishing and have come up with a couple of ideas.

Would a short stiffish rod (say 7-8 feet) add to the action imparted when working flies aka baitcasting outfits? I can certainly see other advantages on small overgrown waters or working from a boat, perhaps in controlling hooked fish at close range.

Any one have any thoughts?

Steve

Would you be able to aerialise a heavy fly ok with a short rod? I've also always thought a longer rod was better for controlling hooked fish at close range? I can see where you're coming from but I'm not sure the comparison with short lure fishing rods really works with the casting techniques being so different?

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Sage do a (freshwater) bass fly rod in the US 7'11 wt 8 $350 action like a tank aerial designed for longer casts (it is only short to meet pro comp regs). I think a fuller action better suits the lobbier casting style required for large pike flies, and in overgrown conditions I just flick out and feed out downstream (I have some short trout rods tho so I see your point). I think a softer rod also allows you to work the fly better, but this is as much a matter of what the fly is made of. You could also try these http://www.petitjean.com/eng/MagicHead/default.asp

I use a 9ft 10 weight fox predator fly rod with a detachable fighting butt section..
Have had pike to 22lbs so it must be ok!

It casts big pike "flies" well and being more powerful than a normal fly rod enables me to land a pike quickly rather than playing it to exhaustion (and often death).

Whilst fishing from a boat for pike Ive found an American born technique rather effective in instilling life in your streamer as you get thirty of so feet away from the vesse. This is done by throwing a loop into your line with a roll cast instilling a zig-zag motion with the fly as it pulsates like a panicking bait fish.

Pete would you recommend the 10 weight fox predator fly rod, what's it like for turning large streamers over at a distance. Seems a nicely finnished rod for the money. I think do a bass fly rod as well from what I remember.

Regards,

Brent.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

My main initial thoughts centered more on contact with the fly and being able to feel it through the water more, hence the bait casting theme. Thinking more about this and from your comments, the difficulty is getting the rod action balance right. Too stiff is just going to rip hooks out of fish at close range, which is not acceptable. Hence I reckon the sage bass rod will be out, though if I can test one I will. Perhaps one of the spring shows?

Plenty to think about while I look for a suitable shorter rod to play with and test against the current armoury!

It`s the only fox product that I recommend Brent!
The model which I have is the fox predator xs.
Superb bit of kit for the money.
I think that I paid around £60 for it two years ago.
What I like is the detachable fighting butt,I keep it in my pocket and when I get a decent pike on,I fit it to the rod quickly and it gives me some extra leverage rather than hurting my wrist!
Not sure if this model is still made,but I`m sure that there are one or two still around on a shop somewhere.

Thanks for the info Pete, I'll look into purchasing one for this season.

Regrds,

Brent.

I use 3 type of rod lenght for pike

Its the wind that dictates to one I will use

In windy condition I prefer a short rod like the Gatti Fr 869 3Pa (8.6 Foot #9). If the wind is not to bad I will go with the GAtti FR 108 (10 foot #8)or the GAtti FR 118 (11 foot #8)

All 3 rods are in progressive action and wil handle the biggest pike here in Quebec with no problem and throw large bunny flies with ease.

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Jocelin LeBlanc
STEP BY STEP FLY TUTORIAL
Quebec North Shore
CANADA

Are they Northern Pike? cracking fish there mate, peak of condition by the looks of it

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