Pickerel Fishing

[BIGBOW]

I plan on doing some hiking in the Pine Barrens around the Botona Trail area. I've caught pickerel before while bass fishing, but this trip I'll be doing pickerel fishing only. Any leader tricks you guys know of for fly fishing for these guys. I'm thinking their teeth might present a problem and don't want to lose any hookups due to this. Thanks in advance.

 

[MR.MCR]

The few times Ive caught pickerel I didnt have any problem with their teeth, and I didnt use any special line etc............

 

[Pete]

You could try an experiment that I haven't been able to complete....

A couple of years ago, I got some 8 lb test Fireline, Micro Ice. It measured about 3X.

I couldn't cut it with my leader "nippers", a knife just seemed to abrade it a little. I needed a scissors to make a clean cut.

I speculated about using it for sharp toothed fish, but never got a chance to see how well it does. (My quest for the mighty bowfin has not yet been sucessful).

I suspect any of the "super braids" may be just as resilient.

It is a lot easier to cast than a leader with a wire shock tippet.

NOTE: Use uni-knots for splicing, and a palomar knot for the hook or it may slip.

 

[eddavidson9]

I've had pickeral take panfish and overgrown baitfish off my line with a single chomp. Picked up some "Toothy Critter" leader material to go after them with this year, but up till now never targeted them. Stuff is pretty knottable but might want to superglue any line connections.

They also sell kits with similar leader material and hook-eye-clips to attach the fly, eliminating terminal knots.

I dont know how any of this stuff will work, but it's all peaked my interest.

 

[theartoflee]

BB you could probably get away with using larger diamater maxima but might need to check it every so often. If you salt water fly fish or tie articulated streamers buy some american fishing wire or tyger gel wire. I like the tiger gell wire if you use that stuff your fly will break before the wire does.

 

[Corndog]

Bigbow,

Here's what I do for the toothy guys...pickerel, walleye, muskies, and stripers in the Big D.

I use a standard 9' 1x leader and attach a 4-6" piece of cheap Vanish 17 or 20 lb florocarbon line to it, then my fly. The fish, including smallies, don't seem to mind it and it casts just fine. You might be able to go lighter for Pickerel, but I can't cause I'm striper fishing and sometimes get one in the 30lb class and by time I get it landed the 20 lb is all freyed up.

Just remember not to put your thumb in it's mouth.

Cdog

 

[rford]

1 mile downstream from stilesville weir.

Image of May 2007 - West Branch Delaware - Angler : Ralph Ford - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

[theartoflee]

That was one busy /hungry fish that day.. ate the zoo cougar then a circus peanut. Those delaware river browns could learn a lesson from the Pickerel about how to eat a fly.

 

[quality time]

1 mile downstream from stilesville weir.

Image of May 2007 - West Branch Delaware - Angler : Ralph Ford - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Geeze Ralph....just because it wasn't a brown doesn't mean you can do a Mike Tyson on its tail!

 

[babyblue]

Ralph,
Is that a pickerel or a musky. I ask because I landed a musky not far from that very spot in April last year.

 

[Flygal]

Nice Brownies - so healty, I get the sensation that a storm wasa brewing......

 

[rford]

Ralph,
Is that a pickerel or a musky. I ask because I landed a musky not far from that very spot in April last year.

I dont know my essox from my az, and have been told its a pickeral by some and others sayits a pike.

Another guy in our group caught and took pic of same fish several hours before I caught him again, so he may be your fiah as well, did yours have a missing upper tail?

 

[rford]

Ralph,
Is that a pickerel or a musky. I ask because I landed a musky not far from that very spot in April last year.

I dont know my essox from my az, and have been told its a pickeral by some and others sayits a pike.

Another guy in our group caught and took pic of same fish several hours before I caught him again, so he may be your fiah as well, did yours have a missing upper tail?

Love to have seen the "Brown" that bit it off!

 

[rford]

Nice Brownies - so healty, I get the sensation that a storm wasa brewing......

Are you talking too me? Maybe, no not maybe, I am dense, dont get the storm comment?

ralph

 

[Corndog]

1 mile downstream from stilesville weir.

Image of May 2007 - West Branch Delaware - Angler : Ralph Ford - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Ralph,

Without a doubt it's a Chain Pickerel and it is a Pike cause it's in the Pike family, but not a Northern Pike.

Here's the easiest way to tell them apart.

Northern Pike - All fins are smoothly rounded.
Muskie - Vertical blotchy lines in back, sides and stomach, and pointed tail fins.
Pickerel - Vertical blotchy lines on back turning to circular blotches on sides, and pointed tail fins. Plus a dark vertical line through the eyes.

Cdog

 

[BIGBOW]

I caught one on small Adirondack pond in a kayak and actually got pulled around a bit by it. I wish I had a tape measure that day or my camera cause no one believes me. Granted, my recollection of it may be a tad bigger than it really was, but Im pretty sure I remember hearing a small boy calling for help from its belly.