Big River Pike (8/20/16)

[JDTuna]

It had been a while since I'd hit my favorite river for pike, so I decided to give it a go between errands on Saturday. I had a feeling conditions would be right for my gator hole, so I decided to give it a go.

The fish in this particular spot do not respond well to artificials, so I caught two live baits on the way. Got to the spot, and the first bait to hit the water lasted all of 30 seconds. Fought the fish for a few seconds, then it spit the bait. No big deal. I fired the bait right back out and it was quickly eaten. It was a very long, skinny fish. Probably the skinniest pike I have caught. Would have been a hefty one at normal weight. It appeared to have a jaw injury that had just healed, so hopefully he will be back in shape soon. After a quick picture, he swam away strongly. I might just have to go back and check on him from time to time.



I sent the second bait out for a swim, and it didn't last long. The second fish fought harder and, though smaller, was in excellent shape. This indicates to me that the poor condition of the first pike was not due to a lack or forage in the area, but something to do with the individual fish.





I was out of bait, so I called it a day. Great short trip on the river!