05-25-09 Tips and Tactics for Fighting and Landing Large Pickerel

[IceWarriorGill]

Just because the Bluegill angler is going after Monster Gills doesn't mean that he or she may find themself fighting the trophy of a lifetime of another fish species (Bass, Catfish, Pike, Pickerel, etc). Since many Trophy Gills inhabit shallow, weedy lakes one may find a large or even trophy size pickerel on the end of their line as these hard fighting fish inhabit similar waters! Larger Pickerel often prefer baits of 3 inches +, subtle and more natural colors in bait selection tend to be the key (watermelon, green pumpkin, pumpkinseed, motor oil, etc are all good choices). Before the first cast, the reel's drag should be set properly so that a slow firm pull will allow line out slowly but evenly--too tight a drag and the light line that panfish anglers use will break early on in the fight as the large fish makes its initial runs toward deeper water; too loose a drag and the fish will be able to have its way and break you off on the nearest underwater log or rock! Once initially hooked the large Pickerel will make several runs toward deeper water often running in circles around the boat (or for the Shore Angler, the big Pickerel will often make runs laterally along the shore, usually after an initial run toward deeper water) looking for any underwater object to break the line or to throw the hook. Once the large Pickerel fails at its initial attempts to break the line by running toward deeper water or by running in circles around your boat it will always CHARGE YOUR BOAT (or for the Shore Angler, it will CHARGE TOWARD SHORE usually coming right at the angler). This is a Big Fish trick that often pays off for the fish by the surprised angler NOT keeping a tight line thus allowing the fish greater leverage with the loosened line so it can quickly throw the hook. To keep a tight line with the big fish charging you, watch your line closely and the direction it moves and when the line starts moving toward you, reel line quickly and steadily to maintain tension on the line. You will know when to stop reeling as the big fish will break off the unsuccessful charge at the last moment and you will hear and feel the drag run as the fish changes direction and charges again toward deeper water. Continue to play the fish, wearing it out by keeping a tight line and proper drag and using the above tips. The bigger the fish, the more runs toward deeper water and the more frontal charges the angler must sustain--all while maintaining a tight line and good drag. While fighting a true trophy Pickerel, if at any time the angler feels the line tension is increasing to the point where breakage is a possibility (very common when using light lines), the angler must immediately make a slight adjustment to slightly loosen the drag to take the pressure off the line. Once the big fish feels like it is tiring, this is the time to slightly increase the drag, tire the big fish out and bring it carefully into your boat. For toothy fish (like Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike) always have a Boga Grip type instrument or large pliers to grab the fish's mouth when bringing it aboard. Placing hands or fingers near or into a Tropy Pickerel's mouth could quite possibly end with the loss of a finger or serious laceration requiring sutures, so be careful. Once on board, hold the pickerel with one hand under the throat region and the other underneath its belly (placing hands into the Gill region of the fish should be avoided if possible due to possible harm or injury to this sensitive area of the fish)! Hope this information is helpful to everyone and tight lines!!!

[IceWarriorGill]

Hi Steve B, I would consider any Pickerel 25 inches and over and 4 lbs and larger, a large pickerel (but it's purely a subjective measurement on my part as any Pickerel over 20 inches is a good-sized Pickerel).

[steve b]

Have yrs ago caught pickerel in the upper Chagrin river when fishing for rock bass and smallies. Also some of the outlying ponds around Punderson lake contain pickerel. None would I call large. What do you call large ? No inches/lbs mentioned above. I know its a relative thing not being judgemental, just curious. Have seldom seen such enthusiasm for pickerel. Always something new to learn, for sure ! steve b