Like many of you relate, I’ve lost my share of big fish next to the canoe.  No nets anymore for pike…I’ve had my fill of slimy canoe floors and tangled nets from large pike flopping all over the place.  Also do not like fish grippers for any fish…they just don’t seem to work any better than grabbing small fish by the mouth or lifting large pike/trout from the lower jaw/gill plate.  In fact, I‘ve actually lost more large trout and pike trying to use a fish gripper.  So, the fish gripper went into the trash and for the past several years I've used a leather glove (the black military type that use with a wool liner glove in the winter).  With pike, just grab the lower jaw/gill; with trout, just grab the mouth and lift into the canoe to get the hook out.  As a bonus, the leather gloves also work for splitting wood with a small axe and not getting splinters, and for newbies if they happen to develop blisters from paddling.

I've caught almost all of my large pike over 40" on deep husky jerks or other types of deep cranks that run 19 feet or deeper since I can't trip until late June through mid-August.  Usually along deep water drops next to a fairly large shallow area of structure where fishing is good for other species during the daytime.  Spinnerbaits are always part of my tackle for anything near the shoreline at dusk and dawn in the summer...lots of trophy smallies come shallow during low light all summer long.... 

For measuring a fish, I put light notches on my gunwale so I can measure a fish if necessary and always carry multiple forceps since I lose one every few trips....doh!!

Is summer here yet??....the winter in Ohio has been terrible....7 snow/ice days from school and more likely to come....

Quentin wrote on Feb 12^th, 2014 at 6:55pm:


I have not targeted pike in a long, long time. Every year while walleye fishing my canoe will boat at least one or more pike over 40". I think if you find numbers of walleyes especially in that 16"-20" range the big pike will be nearby looking for a meal. Then of course the key is to have your equipment prepared for the "big one". That doesn't mean upsizing everything. It means paying attention to the last 3 feet of line and re-tying when it gets nicked. It means having a smooth drag that is set correctly and patience. All of my over 40's are caught on med action spinning gear with 8lb test fireline crystal.
And BTW I've never seen anybody on a canoe trip carry a big enough net to safely and properly use on a fish over 40".
Best to learn how to handle them, gloves do help. I can't honestly recall losing a big pike near the canoe in a long time.

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Quote:


So what I'm getting from this, is that the key to protecting the NP and yourself, is being sure the fish is "ready" to be handled.
The orange gripper isn't the problem but as OS said, if you grab one before it's ready, the gripper could cause the NP to break it's lower jaw while struggling.
Is this about right?

  IF you choose to use a "fishing" glove, is are you wearing it all the time your fishing for every species, just when targeting NP, or you try to put it on before you land fish, once you can see what you've hooked?
I don't like wearing gloves other than for keeping my hands warm. Seems to me wearing one when the weather is warm would be a pain.

Great thread!  I'm listening closely.  up
I've never boated a 40"+ pike and have spent considerable time on the last 2 trips trying. Lots of 30+. Did have one on that probably qualified but lost it due to 10 sec of slack line, bobbling around with paddle, etc. (was in a sit in kayak). mid-late June

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I use variations of many of these gloves at work for safety reasons. Most require bulk purchase but a few you can buy as little as 3 pair.
Buy a little snug, they stretch.

I get a new pair everyday and unless the old ones are torn/ ruined from workday, I take the old ones home for whatever.