Paul the Pike

Equipment

Stiffer than a bass rod. You need to set hooks in a bony mouth and pull him out of weed — not a beachcaster.

Rod

7–9 ft lure rod, about 20–80 g. A 9ft 15–50 g bass rod will do small jack pike; it will not like a 20 lb fish in pads. Fast action, strong backbone.

Reel

4000–5000, decent drag, braid-friendly spool. Set the drag so you can still pull him from snags without ripping the hooks.

The rest

Long forceps, a pike unhooking mat, a large rubber-mesh net, wire traces ready-tied, cutters, a headtorch. Polarised glasses. Gloves if you want, but learn to lip him properly — never through the gills.