Pike-erel? ....

[buzzbaiter]

First pic is of pseudo-pike with chain-like pattern and clearly looks different form the true pike in the second pic which has the typical spotted pattern. Possible pickpike hybrid?

[saxmatt]

Nope, pure pike, and try to avoid sticking your thumb in their gills like that.

[Skunk City]

Pure Pike. I had one a few years ago that looked similar, more "chainy" than "spotty".

[buzzbaiter]

So where do pure pike come from? I'm guessing not Hackettstown. Pure as in wild?

I handle them with care unlike most pike pics here which have so much blood & gore its rated PG-13

[saxmatt]

Could be wild or stocked.

[buzzbaiter]

Originally Posted by saxmatt

and try to avoid sticking your thumb in their gills like that.

Good point. I'll apologize for that one. I try to avoid it but it happens. Most fish I like to keep in the water but given river bank conditions - mud, mud, mud - an air lift pic was in order.

[NorthJerzyG]

All pike-erel talk aside, that's one thing I've been wondering. There seems to be 2 distinct types of pike coming out of nj waters. I've seen some with defined "spots", and others with a more blotchy pattern. Here's an example.......

Undefined spots .....





Defined spots.......



Is this a male - female thing? Different strains or genetics? I've heard about different strains of musky like the "leech lake" strain or something like that? Simple color variations? Any ideas?

Oh, and please excuse the glory hounding, lol.

[gwl2oneida]

I believe its an age difference. The more defined spots being older more mature. In marine tropical fish the colors in some angel fish completely change. Imperator angels being a prime example.

[NorthJerzyG]

I was thinking that too, but I've seen some 30" plus fish with the blotchy pattern?

[Esox Luciano]

Originally Posted by NorthJerzyG

Is this a male - female thing? Different strains or genetics?

I def agree with that n also the age thing. Lotta different patterns on these guys. @MsgDan got the confirmation that they r goin hybrid tho, all nice straight up pike on this page! That 1's a beast G!