Deadly Deadbaits

The fishery scientist is passionate about predators, having caught pike to 34 lb 8 oz, perch to 5 lb 1 oz, zander to 18 lb 8 oz and eels to 7 lb 2 oz.

- Andy Black

WHEN it gets really cold, most pike anglers switch from lures to deadbaits. This isn’t always the best idea though, as you can catch pike on lures even in the coldest of conditions.

The problem is, you will quickly get cold hands when casting lures repeatedly in cold conditions, whereas deadbaiting allows you to sit under an umbrella, out of the wind.

There are times when I find deadbaiting very effective, and it usually coincides with the first really cold snap. When water temperatures start to go below 10 degrees Celsius, pike tend to move to deeper water, where they often become more concentrated. If you know these areas, or are able to find them with a sonar device, you will often catch fish by presenting a static bait.