In my opinion, if you’re looking for the best fluorocarbon line out there, you can’t do better than Seaguar InvizX. It simply provides everything you’re looking for in fluorocarbon line (invisibility, weight, abrasion resistance and strength) without the hassles and coiling that the high memory of fluorocarbon often provides. In short, it’s a great product without much downside.
Why Use a Fluorocarbon Line?
Most people use fluorocarbon line for one of three reasons:
They are fishing clear water and want a nearly invisible presentation.
There are rocks or pilings or other obstructions nearby and abrasion resistance is desired.
They are fishing crankbaits or other lures that dive and trying to get a bit more depth out of them.
Frankly, these are the same reasons that I want to use fluorocarbon line. But the problem is that I normally fish with children, and fluorocarbon line normally has a very high “memory” that makes tangles and other issues likely, so I really need a high quality product. Enter Seaguar InvizX.
Why Is Seaguar InvizX the Best Fluorocarbon Line?
As mentioned earlier, Seaguar InvizX gives you all the benefits you want with fluorocarbon (near invisibility, abrasion resistance, lure depth control) without the drawback of memory. It is extremely limp and has relatively little memory compared to most other brands I’ve used. This translates to fewer tangles and messes, especially if you pair it with a good line conditioner.
Seaguar InvizX casts very well, is plenty strong (I’ve caught some HUGE fish on it) and loads up quite well on spinning reels. I personally use 6lb test on my two favorite rods (my dropshot rod as well as my rod for crankbaits). I do keep a spool of 20lb test around for use as a leader as well.
The main marketing “gimmick” of InvizX is that they claim it is nearly invisible to fish. Well, that’s the story with all fluorocarbon. I will say when I fish Lake Champlain north of the Crown Point bridge where the water is quite clear, this line gives me a ton of confidence.
Are There Cheaper Alternatives?
Well… Yes… But you aren’t going to like them as much. It’s true that many pros have great things to say about Bass Pro’s proprietary fluorocarbon, and there are others who say Seaguar’s Red Label AbrazX is a perfectly adequate fluorocarbon line, and they aren’t necessarily wrong. All the same, when I’m fishing fluorocarbon line, I want to use one that is the least annoying as possible. Thus, Seaguar InvizX is the best flourocarbon line for me.
Where Can I Buy Seaguar InvizX?
It can be a little difficult to find this line in stores. Although my local Cabelas stocks it, it is quite popular and tends to be out of stock. That’s a good sign – other fishermen want to buy it! I usually just head over to Amazon to pick some up as I can’t count on it being at my local tackle shops. If you want to try some of it (and you totally should – you’ll thank me later), here is a link to some 6lb test. I do totally understand it is expensive, but I make it a point to only recommend products here I really believe in and use, and Seaugaur InvizX is hands down my favorite fluorocarbon line.
One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make when they take their kids fishing is to use too big of a hook size when fishing for bluegill and other sunfish. There’s a local pond I go to often which is pretty good for fishing with kids. Though my kids and I are usually only a few feet away from other parents and we’re all fishing with worms, we are pulling in panfish after panfish and the only difference is we are using the right hook size.
This article is aimed to help the parents out there who are clueless put their kids on a few more fish.
The right size hook is important for catching bluegill with your kids
What Hook Size is Best for Bluegill, Sunfish, or Crappie?
The next time you catch a bluegill, look at its mouth. Notice: it is small. Therefore, why would you fish for bluegill with a hook too large to fit in it? A size 8 or 6 sized hook is perfect for fishing for bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and basically any panfish you can find. A size 8 hook fits in a bluegill’s mouth easily. That’s the first step in catching them!
What Type of Hook is Best for Bluegill, Sunfish, or Crappie?
My favorite type of hook for bluegill is an Aberdeen style hook in size 8 or so. I personally prefer these ones by Eagle Claw. These have a long shank which helps with unhooking the spiny little buggers and the business end is small enough to easily fit in their mouths. Though small, these hooks are strong enough to hold up to any panfish you’re going to catch, and even do OK if your kid hooks into a bass or smaller catfish. I also like them because they’re relatively safe to fish with kids. Even when a kid jabs themselves with one of these, removal is pretty straight forward.
Some folks prefer baitholder hooks when fishing for bluegill because you’re often putting worms on them. However, I usually only use a piece of worm rather than the whole thing. This increases my catch rate, so there really isn’t a need for the extra barbs on a baitholder hook.
I prefer Aberdeen (left) style hooks for panfish over the wider baitholder (right).
Do Circle Hooks Work for Bluegill?
Small circle hooks (generally size 6 to 10) can work well for bluegill and they can be a good hook to use if you’re leaving your rod in the holder rather than holding it in your hands. A circle hook is designed to catch the corner of a fish’s mouth as it swims away. This helps prevent it from gut hooking itself and as a result, circle hooks tend to have a lower mortality rate than regular j hooks.
You might also find circle hooks a decent option when fishing with kids who haven’t quite mastered a hook set yet. Children tend to start reeling like crazy when they feel a fish. This isn’t always ideal with normal hooks, but is actually what you’re supposed to do with circle hooks.
1/32 oz and smaller jigs such as marabou jigs and even ball head ones tipped with a small grub work great for bluegill, but you’ll want to keep them small. It’s no coincidence that many of the bluegill fishing starter packs feature a wide variety of plastics and small jigs to attach them to.
Small jigs can be a great way to catch bluegill when you need a little extra weight to either get your bait where you want it or to feel it on a windy day. The hopping and swimming action of a small 1/32 oz jig head is often perfect to entice bluegill, sunfish, crappie, yellow perch, and other panfish to bite. Just be prepared to lose a few as they will also call up their share of chain pickerel and other toothy predators!
Where Can I Find a Sizing Chart for Bluegill Hooks?
A great resource is this sizing chart from Jann’s Netcraft Fishing Tackle. The great thing about this sizing chart is it is 1:1 when you print it out. This is an advantage over anything I could build in house for you folks.
Frankly this website is a great place to buy odds and ends that fall off of your tackle, making it last longer. For example, I often go here to find particular spinnerbait blades, replacement treble hooks, or just lure blanks. It doesn’t get as much publicity as the other big online retailers, but you can (and should) get lost for a few hours perusing what they have. You’ll note I have no affiliation with them whatsoever — I just believe in the company and feel they deserve your bookmark.
Do You Set the Hook on Bluegill?
Unless you’re using a circle hook, I do recommend setting the hook with bluegill, crappie, sunfish, and other panfish. While these fish are small and the hooks you’re using are light, a quick little tug or sweep helps set the hook before these expert bait-thieves can spit it out. I’ve also found that setting the hook on bluegill helps prevent them from swallowing the hook which can happen if you just leave it untouched for some time hoping they’ll stick themselves.
How Should I Rig a Hook for Bluegill?
You really can’t go wrong with rigging up a size 8 Aberdeen style hook for bluegill. You can get fancy and use a drop shot, or just tie it straight onto a line. I suppose, begrudgingly, you might even use a bobber. Regardless of how you rig your bluegill hook, it’s important to use the right sized worm. You’re going to want to use a fresh nightcrawler, but I advise cutting it into pieces. Just thread a little centimeter-sized piece onto the business end of that hook. That will keep fish from stealing your offering.
While fish will eat dead worms, you’re going to be far better off if the morsel you offer is plump, so try and keep the worm alive and well until you need it. I recommend keeping their container somewhere dark and cool.
Conclusions
In conclusion, a size 8 Aberdeen style longshank panfish hook is about the best fishing hook for bluegill you can use. First, these small hooks easily fit in a bluegill’s mouth. Secondly, the long shank makes removing them a breeze. Finally, they’re inexpensive and can be bought in quantity. All of this makes them a great lure for fishing with kids!
I hope this helps you put your kids on some fish. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or reach out with any questions!
As I sat around last night, scrolling for love and checking out the 187th woman who was rocking a bar bathroom selfie photo and claimed to love hiking and concerts, I found myself wondering: would the fish pictures on my dating apps be my downfall?
We’ve all heard it – women are sick of fish pictures and can’t figure out why most men have one or two on their dating profile. Apparently, it would be better for us to lead with the group photo so you could cross your fingers and pray that you’d scroll down and find we’re the cute one. You also might prefer that we bat our eyelashes while stuck in rush hour and take the driving shot to let you know how bad ass we are.
Alas, women just can’t seem to comprehend the magnitude of awesomeness a fish picture represents. All the same, I thought I’d take a moment to explore why men use fishing pictures in their dating app profiles, and at least try and explain why you ladies should praise them.
Why Do Men Hold Fish In Online Dating App Profile Pictures?
OK, so there’s a lot of different blogs and websites out there… That have literally nothing to do with fishing… That have weighed in on this topic. If you ask, “Why do men have so many fish pictures on dating apps,” you’ll find purported answers ranging from, “it’s to display masculinity” to “by comparison, the fish make me better looking.”
Eh… I’m pretty sure it’s a lot simpler than that. We’re dudes. We don’t take pictures of ourselves. Have you ever seen our attempts at a selfie? Probably not, because we take one look at it, say, “Well that angle doesn’t look anything like hers” and delete it. Most of us can barely manage to take a selfie with a fish, when we have all the motivation in the world. We certainly aren’t going to pull off a good one holding a beer.
We also don’t ask people to take our picture. You ladies know this. You’ve lived this. Think of your favorite photo of you and your boyfriend from your last vacation. Who’s idea was it to take the photo in the first place? Who asked the stranger to take it? We both know the answer. Men don’t ask people to take their pictures unless there is a fish in it, plain and simple. It would be weird for me to ask another human being to take my picture unless I’m holding a fish or dead animal in it.
I maintain this photo would be better with a fish in it.
What on Earth Should I Be Doing BESIDES Holding a Fish Picture?
I’m firmly of the opinion that it’s very challenging to win with women. Even if we didn’t use fish pictures in our online dating apps, many of you still would give us grief. Don’t believe me? Let’s walk it through.
You all don’t want shirtless pictures as it makes us look like ****boys.
If we’re playing sports, we remind you of the jock you dated in high school who is now super proud of his job at Enterprise.
You also find reason to complain about our hiking pictures (probably because most dudes in those have one of those man buns).
If we’re in another country, next to the pyramids or such, well, then we’re a dude that actually asked a stranger to take their picture and we trusted a foreigner with our phone. A man like that’s liable to get your identity stolen.
If we’re posting pictures of drinks, it means we’re drinking something other than American domestic piss water which implies we’re putting on airs. It also implies we prefer late nights to sunrises. Big no no.
Should a man have a dog in his selfie, you aren’t looking at the dude.
If he has a cat, well, you’re probably not on the same dating app in the first place.
Clearly, a fish picture is not only justified, but the only viable selfie option.
Really, who lived it better?
So Why Not Just Have a Group Picture?
OK, so we’ve established that a solo picture of a man on an online dating app needs to include a fish (or perhaps another dead animal), but what about a group shot? After all, you ladies just love to post those. So why don’t we? Well, pretty simple. We are men. By the age of 30 or so, most of our friends are dead. Those who aren’t dead are mostly married and therefore dead inside. On the rare occasion we can get a group of friends together for a photo and we aren’t all wearing tuxedos, at least one jerk is going to be flipping the bird and making us look like high schoolers. Since older gentlemen are at least trying to feign middle age on these apps, that’s not a good look.
There is, of course, one viable male group photo for an online dating app: one where all our buddies are holding a fish! You ladies should really appreciate a group fish picture shot in an online dating profile. It means the guy you’re creeping not only can find and catch one big fish, but many.
Look at this magnificence. This is a group of guys who can get it done.
What are the Best Online Dating Apps for Fish Pictures?
Having tried a few of these, here is my opinion on what online dating apps are best for men trying to proudly display their fish pictures. In no particular order:
Site
Pros
Cons
Bumble
-Women must start conversation. This allows them to weed out those with small fish pictures, so you know if she talks to you, she’s interested.
-Must rely on women reading the instructions, understanding they need to make the first move, and then having the guts to face rejection like a man.
Hinge
-Dozens of profile prompts allow multiple clever ways to introduce fish pictures. Can also verbally describe them.
-If you aren’t paying for “roses,” women may wonder why you don’t really want her to see your fish pictures.
Match
-Can basically write novels in support of your fish pictures, allowing folks to understand just how hard said fish were to catch.
-Women may feel overwhelmed by voluminous explanations of fishing trips. It can be exhausting for them to read of such awesomeness.
FacebookDating
-Most of your fish pictures are already on Facebook so finding them to add to a dating profile is relatively easy.
-Can tell when you have friends in common so she might know darn well your buddy is the one who put you on fish.
Tinder
-Very large site with plenty of women to look at your fish pictures.
-Given customer base, very strong chance they are not there to look approvingly upon your fish pictures.
For the Ladies: Legitimate Reasons You Want a Man With Fish Pictures
OK, so far I’ve basically run down the reasons why men have fish pictures on their dating apps. While I feel I’ve been indisputable as to their properness, I do think it’s at least worth explaining why you ladies should be happy to see these.
Fish pictures imply a man has a boat. A boat is a better place to sit around and tan than the beach. There is less sand, you can create your own breeze by moving, and you can access better fishing grounds.
A man with fish pictures on his profile doesn’t care what other people think. It is well-known these are a faux pas. A man who displays them in 2023 is a man who stands tall in the face of dating cancel culture.
Should the zombies ever come, he’s got you covered. For whatever reason, in most zombie literature and film, they don’t swim. See the point about boats above for one. Secondly, you might want to eat something besides whatever canned goods you can scrounge.
If that date goes well, fishing is a wholesome family activity that keeps kids off of their electronics and out in the world living life to the fullest.
Not only am I secure enough to post a fish picture… I’m secure enough to post a fish picture of me wearing a fanny pack.
In Conclusion
Clearly, fish pictures belong in profiles for online dating apps. They’re significantly better than photos of a man with a cat, and imply he has a boat. They also are preferable to dude group shots of a friend group half in the bag and flipping the bird. Thus, when you’re looking for your next husband, make sure he has a fish picture or two on his online dating app profile, ladies.
This past weekend I had a good reminder in fishing etiquette and manners. I was 100% in the wrong, though it was an honest mistake that I quickly apologized for and promptly corrected (more on that later), but given that this website is designed to help people new to the sport, I thought I’d write a bit about fishing etiquette to help you have happier times on the water. After all, no one wants what should be a fun family adventure marred by a bad experience or shouting.
Without further ado, here are some tips for being a respectful angler and following proper fishing etiquette.
Be Ready to Go at the Launch
Fishing etiquette starts at the boat launch. For the love of all that is decent in this world, don’t be “that guy” at the launch. Not everyone launches boats all the time and people will be reasonably understanding if you are being careful or having a little trouble backing up a boat – that’s one thing. What will get you the stink eye is if you aren’t ready to launch your boat when you pull to the ramp.
What does this mean? Well, before you back up towards the ramp, make sure to get ready off to the side. This means loading up your cooler and gear, taking off your tie downs, getting your kids’ life jackets on, putting in your plug, etc. away from the ramp, and letting others who are ready go in front of you. Ideally, all you want to do when you actually get to the ramp is back down and launch. The ramp itself is not the place to load up all of your gear for 10 minutes. You should strive to spend as little time as possible on the ramp itself.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Every lake has its “honey holes” or places everyone likes to fish. If you’re a regular there, you know about them and you probably dream about hitting them on your next trip. Well, so do others, and if they get there first, that’s that. Lakes tend to be very large and I promise you there are “more fish in the sea.” If someone gets to your spot first, hey, they made some sort of sacrifice (usually sleep) to get up and get there first. Let them have it and wait for them to move on.
Don’t feel as though the whole trip is lost if someone gets to one of these spots first, either. These are honey holes for a reason – they hold fish! Fish will come and go, get hungry and turned on and off. Just because someone fished it first doesn’t mean you can’t pull a few off a bit later.
Give Plenty of Space
The most basic rule of fishing etiquette is to give others space. There’s no need to fish right on top of someone. There are plenty of fish out there. Even if you’re fishing in a small area, such as a bay, try to give each other a respectful distance. If you’re both working a shoreline from opposite directions, make a wide berth as you approach each other so there is no chance of snagging each others’ lures.
Watch out for Planer Boards
Something you may not think of, especially if you aren’t used to fishing on northern waters, is that many fishermen troll with planer boards. These are devices that carry a lure off to the side of the boat so it can be trolled in fresh water away from the sound of the motor. Planer boards (and trolling runs in general) take a bit of time to set up and aren’t the easiest things to correct course on, so try and mind them and not get in their way. You don’t want to end up cutting off someone’s troll or worse, getting tangled in their lines.
This can get pretty tricky in tight areas so be careful. It might even be best to just go to some other areas if you know the salmon fleet, for example, are out and about.
Clean up After Yourself
This should go without saying, but clean up after yourself. Don’t leave trash or refuse out on the lake (and for Pete’s sake, leave the WD-40 off of your lures). People are going out there to get away from the deficiencies of mankind; not to be reminded of them. A good rule of thumb is to leave the place just as you came or better.
Don’t Cast Over Someone
Sometimes you can’t help but fish close to someone. For example, in states that have an “Opening Day” it is a bit of a tradition for all sorts of folks who don’t normally fish to go out (I avoid this day like the plague in Connecticut for this reason). You may find yourself fishing close to someone, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your manners at home. Never cast over their line. The last thing you want is to catch it and create a giant tangle.
Likewise, if you’re fishing on the boat with friends, be aware of where everyone is fishing and don’t put your lure where they’re going to need to cast to. It can make sense to come up with a game plan ahead of time as to where everyone is going to fish so no one needs to be thrown from a boat.
Don’t Cut Off a Drift
If someone is working a shoreline, the polite thing to do is to pull in behind them – not ahead of them in waters they’ve yet to fish. However, if you are going to pull ahead of them, make sure you leave ample room between the two of you (the more the better).
If you see someone working a shoreline you wanted, don’t despair. They haven’t caught all the fish any more than you could. For all you know, they’re using the wrong bait or lure and aren’t presenting it right. Have confidence in your ability and try something else. You might surprise your self.
Don’t pull in ahead of someone’s drift. Swing in behind them when possible.
Stay Quiet so as to be a Respectful Angler
Fish can spook fairly easily, especially in clear water on a calm day. If you’re fishing in an area near other people, try to stay reasonably quiet. Don’t be the guy blasting the radio in a bay full of folks trying to get away for a bit. In that same respect, don’t just blast into a bay full bore – ease into the fishing area on your quieter trolling motor.
It’s Proper Fishing Etiquette to Yield to Shore Fishermen or Kayakers
It’s important to remember the pecking order if you’re aiming for proper fishing etiquette. If you are fishing from a boat, it means you have the ability to access waters shore fishermen can only dream of. They have limited options and can’t move from one to another easily, so if you see someone fishing from shore, give them the space.
Likewise, if you’re in a motor boat, give the people in the row boat or kayak a break. They don’t have the range you do and have to hustle for it. Don’t crowd them.
Respect Landowner’s Property
I own property on a lake and I’m going to be very clear about something: I own up to the high water mark. I have absolutely NO right to get upset if someone is fishing near my dock or shoreline. A lakefront owner complaining about people fishing their dock is like buying a house next to a school and whining about the bells. People are entitled to fish there and you should feel free to.
HOWEVER, if you’re going to fish near someone’s dock (and you should, because it’s prime fish habitat at times), please follow a few common sense rules:
Don’t fish docks people are actually sitting on/actively using at the time.
Be very careful not to actually hit the dock, boat, or any other property with your lure.
NEVER actually go onto another person’s dock, boat, or property without the owner’s express permission.
It basically boils down to just don’t be a jerk. Some people get upset that you’re fishing their dock at all, and that’s a poor reflection on them. They have no right to tell you not to. On the other hand, you have no right to damage their property so be careful where you cast. Finally, try not to barge in on someone quietly enjoying their space. Pulling up to a dock someone is sitting on is akin to them motoring right over to a honey hole you got to first.
Be Respectful of the Fish and Wildlife
Fishing etiquette isn’t all about how you interact with other anglers; it’s also about how you interact with the fish. Make sure that you respect local fishing laws and don’t take fish out of season. When you catch one, land it safely and return it to the water unharmed whenever possible. Don’t leave excess line out there or such that wildlife can become entangled in it. In short, be a good steward of the environment.
Don’t Make Waves
Be a respectful boater as you motor past others. Don’t be the guy who blasts past a kayak, swamping them. Slow down and reduce your wake and put past – you have all day and don’t want to be the reason someone else loses gear or gets hurt. Likewise, try not to blast off and zoom down an entire shoreline someone is trying to fish – give it a wide berth and head to open water.
When fishing in northern waters with trolling fleets, make sure you’re careful about how you go around them so you don’t entangle their downriggers or get too close to the front of their troll. As with all fishing etiquette, treat others how YOU would want to be treated! Manners matter in fishing AND boating!
Fishing Etiquette Mistakes Happen! Apologize and Correct!
Remember how I started this article by telling you I was 100% in the wrong this past weekend? Well, I was. I wanted to go to a specific spot, and was actually trying my best to be respectful of a fleet of salmon fishermen with downriggers. I was watching them so intently that I didn’t see a well-camouflaged bass boat that was making its way down a rip rap wall and I ended up pulling up right in front of them and cutting off their drift.
To their credit, they kept their cool and didn’t say anything, but as soon as I noticed them, I immediately apologized, and explained that I had simply missed them as I was concentrating elsewhere. I moved away from the spot (it’s a great spot). We then sorted out which way they were fishing and I agreed to go the opposite direction rather than cut them off. It was friendly, amicable, and left no hard feelings because I knew I was in the wrong, I apologized for my wrongdoing and I corrected my action.
That’s all it takes. No one is perfect – we all screw up from time to time. All we can do is learn from it and move on and do better the next day. So if you happen to make a mistake discussed here, apologize for it and do your best to make it right. And, importantly, if someone else makes a mistake – give them a chance to realize what they did and apologize. After all, fishing is so much fun it’s easy to get caught up in it and just not notice something! No need to let it ruin the day!
Dad and I opened up the house this past weekend on Lake Champlain. While we briefly journeyed north of the bridge, the majority of fishing was done around Crown Point, NY. Water temps where we caught them were around 55 degrees though we found areas warmer near by. The two lures that were most successful were a cherry craw colored Rat-L-Trap and a clown Rapala Shadow Rap. Weather conditions were stable on day one progressing into pre-frontal south winds on day two. For more details, read up on our fishing trips below.
Day 1: April 21, 2023
We drove up early Friday and were able to get on the water for the evening bite. Since we were only going to have a few hours, we decided to stay close to home and just fished the area near the house. It’s always tough on the first trip up, as you aren’t quite sure where the fish are going to be staging this year, and you also have to wonder what debris the raging winter has left behind. With both in mind, we tried the usual spots.
We had absolutely no luck on the Vermont side, even on the rocky points that have in the past been top producers. We’d do a few drifts with nothing doing which is unusual, but I did notice the water temps were pretty high (even in the 60’s in some bays), so I figured maybe they weren’t at their pre-spawn staging areas. We switched it up to the NY side fishing creek mouths and bays and managed to tie into some good sized bass, including the 4.82lb smallmouth below.
All fish on this day came on a cherry craw Rat-L-Trap that has proven to be one of the best early-season lures on Lake Champlain over the past three years (as some earlier fishing reports will show).
Day 2: April 22, 2023
We wanted to try fishing the rip rap on Bulwagga Bay’s western shore on a nice Saturday in late April — prime salmon trolling time. We didn’t catch anything there (I did have a good smallmouth on for a moment) and really after noticing the gentlemen I accidentally cut off were also throwing red crankbaits, we decided to head back south instead.
The wind was fine in the morning but picked up heavily in the early afternoon as a major front was coming through that would dump rain all across New England. We headed back to areas around creek mouths south of the bridge and found a few fish. They wanted clown colored Rapala Shadow Raps this time, and we obliged.
We managed a few bass but the pickerel bite really picked up. Most bites came on a pause, and I started getting hit more when I would let the pause linger a bit.
All in all it was great to be back on the lake! I’m hoping with the divorce finalized that I’ll be able to get up there far more often this year to update this blog, so hopefully I’ll see you around.
By the time a child is four years old, it’s prime time to take them fishing. By this age your child should be completely capable of reeling in their own fish, and can probably learn how to cast as short distance fairly well. This makes it possible for your 4-year-old to catch their first fish, “all by themselves” at this age, which is a proud moment for any parent. All the same, fishing with a 4-year-old certainly has its share of challenges! I’ve been through it twice now so I thought I’d give you some tips.
With that out of the way, let’s jump into how you can go fishing with a 4-year-old!
What to Expect When Fishing With a 4-Year-Old
What can you expect when taking a 4-year-old fishing? In a word, chaos. Well, I’m half-joking. You should expect to spend a good amount of time untangling line and (hopefully) unhooking fish. You should also expect them to get bored nearly instantly if the fish don’t bite, so make sure you maximize your chances of success early on.
4-year-olds are also at that age where they really want to do everything themselves. Whereas a younger child might be content letting you cast, expect your 4-year-old to want to try. I suggest wearing some long clothes and eye protection!
Finally, 4-year-olds may or may not want to touch the fish they catch. Most of the sunfish and perch they’re likely to catch have sharp gill plates and spines that can prick them. You should probably bring along a towel to help your kid handle them. Note, a towel isn’t that great for the fish as it can wipe off their protective slime, but it may be the only way to get your kid to hold them.
Can a 4-Year-Old Catch Their Own Fish?
I’d argue four years old is about the age where a child can reasonably expect to catch a fish “all by themselves.” While you can certainly hand a rod to a child younger than that and help them reel it in, chances are you speared the worm, cast it out, and hooked the fish for them. While you still might want to put the nightcrawler on for your child, they should be able to handle just about everything at this point.
With that said, don’t expect it to happen instantly. There are a lot of motor skills a kid needs to learn with fishing. If this is their first time out, of course, help them! I’m just saying they are at the right age where they can catch one by themselves and report back home all proud.
Tips for Fishing With a 4-Year-Old
By the time a child is 4-years-old, it is possible to take them fishing alone without the help of another parent. All the same, the following tips will help make the trip more enjoyable for you both.
My son at 4-years-old, posing with this yellow perch.
Pre-fish and scout to keep your child’s interest
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to parents is to pre-fish and know what you’re getting into. Don’t show up to a fishing spot for the first time ever with your kid in tow. Go there a few days earlier just to check it out and see what it has to offer. Some things to consider:
Are there locations on the bank where you can cast easily?
Is there any place to play if the kids get bored?
Can you see fish activity in the water near where you’d fish?
Can you work a worm through the water without it getting all gunked up by slimy vegetation, or caught on rocks or wood?
You also might want to conduct an internet search of the location you plan to fish and the word “fishing reports.” This should take you to different forums and blogs where anglers share information on the location. It can give you a pretty good idea if it is a decent place to fish. Also, if you have time, don’t be afraid to join those forums! Most anglers will fall all over themselves to help a kid, so just tell them you’re planning on taking your little ones out and they’ll give you good tips to put them on fish (most guys on these forums aren’t after the sunnies you’ll be chasing with the tykes, anyway).
Another website to check is takemefishing.org. It can help you find a good fishing pond in your area!
Tip – This website (and I!) can help!
This website also has various ways to help. First, I wrote a post about how to scout out fishing locations that you might find useful. Secondly, I am MORE than willing to help you if you send me an email. Just tell me where you want to fish and I’ll do my best with map study and such to help you out. My goal with this website is to make sure you have the best fishing experience with your children! Take me up on the offer!
Choose a Location with a Plan B
Unless they’re *really* into it, most kids aren’t going to stay focused on fishing indefinitely. You’ll want to plan your trip to a location where there is something else for them to do. This could be a cool walk in the woods, a nearby playscape, or even just bringing a ball with you, or pack of cards when you’re on the boat. Always, always, ALWAYS have a “Plan B” when fishing with kids so they don’t get bored.
One of my favorite places to take my kids fishing in Connecticut has fields right behind it, just past that fence. Having a plan B is a huge deal when fishing with kids!
Bring a bucket
One of my main maxims when fishing with kids has and always will be, “get a fish in the bucket or livewell as fast as possible.” This takes SOOOOO much pressure off of you as a parent. The second you get a fish inside of a bucket (or even a frog, in a pinch) your kids have something to look at and play with when the bite slows down. Even if you plan on releasing everything when you leave, bring a bucket along to fill with some slimy friends for the kids to hang with. Just make sure you follow your local fishing regulations and don’t put in species that aren’t the appropriate size or out of season!
Wear the Right Clothing
By the time they’re four, children are going to want to dress themselves to some degree. It is questionable if you should let them before the fishing trip. Granted, you want to avoid a meltdown, but they really ought to be dressed for the occasion. Fishing is obviously done outside in the elements. The sun can really catch up to you on or near the water as it reflects off the surface. Make sure your children are dressed appropriately with hats and sunscreen so they don’t get a bad burn!
Bring (a few of) the Right Rod and Reel(s)
When fishing with kids, I definitely recommend bringing more than one rod. The reason is simple: your 4-year-old is going to tangle that thing so often if you don’t have at least two, they won’t be fishing much. Bring at least two rods that are rigged up for them so they can fish while you repair. I’ve honestly found I’ve needed as many as three at times just so I could keep a nice “assembly line” going.
I once wrote an article about the best fishing rods for kids, but to save you the read, just get a couple of Ugly Sticks. They’re relatively inexpensive, extremely durable, can take a beating, and catch fish. They can often be purchased in combos with a reel, like this one here. They aren’t glamorous and you aren’t going to impress the well-to-dos out there, but they do the trick and are what I’d recommend to any parent. A four year old will want the 5′ model in light or ultra light. This is fine for panfish and given it’s an Ugly Stick, it’ll also hold up fine to bass or the occasional small catfish.
Keep the Lures Simple
Don’t go overboard with lure selection when fishing with 4-year-olds. A simple (small) hook and worm will do. If you want to get fancy, a sinker is helpful as well. I avoid bobbers because they tend to cause you to sit and wait, which children hate. There’s often a large number of little nibbles going on beneath the surface that you’ll miss with a bobber. I know it’s controversial, but I hate using them with kids.
Likewise, this is not the time for that fancy braid or fluorocarbon. Get yourself some 6lb test Berkley Trilene XL and call it a day. It’s what I learned on, it’s what my kids learned on. It works.
Bring Snacks (and Wipes!)
It doesn’t matter how hard it is to get them to eat dinner, no 4-year-old will turn down a snack. Fishing is serious business and works up the appetite! Bring along some food for them, but don’t forget to bring some wipes too as their hands will likely be filthy! Sometimes a snack can also help distract them if the fish aren’t biting. We would tell our kids that they should probably eat so the fish would get hungry too. This can buy you a few moments to try and hook a fish yourself that you can hand off to your child, which is an added plus.
Conclusion: Four Years Old is Prime Time to Learn to Fish!
Taking a four-year-old out fishing can be an enjoyable experience for the parent and child. The kid is old enough to do a lot by themselves, and will be an absolute chatterbox all week about whatever they catch. Just remember that they are still a child, and will be prone to losing interest quickly. Make sure you bring distractions and fish at a good location that offers other entertainment.
I hope this article was helpful to you and your family. If there’s anything more I can do to help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or to send me an email! Also, your child might be interested in My Awesome Guide to Freshwater Fishing. It was written just for them!
My ex-wife had the kids for the first time in awhile last night, so I took the opportunity to run over to Spring Pond for an hour or two and see if I could connect with some fish. We’ve had a fairly warm week in Connecticut, with yesterday in the mid-70’s, so I hoped that I’d find some activity.
It was my first trip to Spring Pond in 2023, and I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. Usually around this time of year, there’s a decent chance the pond is flooded and the northern portion inaccessible unless you have waders. That wasn’t the case yesterday, and honestly I’d doubt it becomes the situation ever this year given what a mild winter we had.
What’s New?
Having been going to this pond for years, there usually isn’t any big change aside from the parking lot and the presence or lack of a dastardly “goose blocker” placed right here canoes launch by well-meaning town officials who forgot birds have wings. This year, however, was different.
Apparently, a school in Avon is going to use Spring Pond for their Crew practice or meets this year. There’s a large boat trailer stacked up, and a brand new floating dock on the northern shore. This should provide some decent cover and shade for fish as the year goes on, though it’ll likely be a magnet for anglers as well, so get there early.
They’ve also placed a handy porta-potty near the dock, which is great as we’ll no longer have to judge just how long it was since we last saw a runner before finding a tree.
Progress.
Another look at the dock.
My Catch
I arrived just in time for a light drizzle to come, which might be the reason I didn’t see a single other angler out there. I only had an hour or so before dark, so I didn’t bother poking around the southern shore and made my way straight north, not stopping until I got to the spawning bay and cut.
There were many signs of life in the northwest bay as the water was perfectly calm when I arrived and every breach by a carp would scatter smaller fish. You’ll note that in the northern hemisphere, the northwest bay is what will warm first in the spring and here in Spring Pond, this is aided by it also being a spawning bay near a cut.
This was the largest of 8 fish caught last night.
I managed to catch 8 largemouth bass, all keepers but none especially large. The biggest one, pictured above, might have been pushing about 2lbs if I’d guess. All were caught on a random brown football head jig with a green zoom super chunk trailer on short little casts around known structure and cover. Having fished here for years, I’m very comfortable with my knowledge of where the drop offs and hidden ambush points are, and the fish were where I expected.
This was the only lure I brought, and the only lure I needed.
A Good First Trip
It was nice to get out there finally. The divorce has been tough on me and I’m glad I got a chance to go out and fish. The weather was lovely, I had the place to myself, and the fish cooperated. I’ll never complain about that trio!
A nice calm evening for fishing on Spring Pond in Avon, CT.
Bulwagga Bay presents some of the best fishing in Lake Champlain, yet you would never know it from the internet. Well, at least not if you’re a bass fisherman. “The Fleet” that goes out in search of early season salmon and lake trout know all about it. It’s just the bass tournament fishermen who never pay it much heed. No, they just blast right past it on their way to Ticonderoga, it seems.
All the better. Even though it’s a huge bay in the lake, it’s great to have less company. Bulwagga Bay, in my opinion, is one of the better places to take a kid fishing for BIG fish in Lake Champlain. Why? Well, read on, and you’ll find out.
What Makes the Fishing in Bulwagga Bay So Great?
Basically a lake within a lake, and with nearby access to a great camping site, Bulwagga Bay is a wonderful fishing destination. In terms of common species, it is one of the more ecologically diverse sections of Lake Champlain. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, chain pickerel, freshwater drum, walleye, gar, salmon, lake trout, and a host of panfish all call Bulwagga Bay home at one point or another.
It is one of the few places in southern Lake Champlain where you have a legitimate chance to catch an Atlantic salmon or lake trout without trolling, depending on the time of the year, and also one of the best places to find a northern pike.
Regardless of if you prefer to troll open water, or cast plugs or spinnerbaits to tight cover, Bulwagga Bay has you covered. I’ve personally caught some very large bass in the bay and I’m surprised more tournament anglers don’t give it a shot.
Additionally, it’s a convenient place to fish. There are two boat launches nearby, and it’s right near Norm’s Bait and Tackle. I’ve found myself making it one of my main destinations the past few years, especially as it retains deep, fishable water long into the season.
The Best Fishing Spots in Bulwagga Bay on Lake Champlain
As stated earlier, Bulwagga Bay is a little ecosystem all of its own. Here’s a guide to my favorite places to fish in Bulwagga Bay. Hopefully it helps you have a productive day on the water!
The Sunken Sand and Rock Point (1)
If you aren’t careful entering Bulwagga Bay, your fishing trip could be over before it starts. There is a very large and dangerous sand and rock crib that extends west from the Fort at Crown Point. While it is marked, these markers are very hard to see during certain conditions. Make sure you enter the bay well to the west to avoid them.
With that said, if you are careful, this crib can offer tremendous fishing. Smallmouth bass in particular enjoy the area and can be caught with crankbaits and tubes. Just make sure you’re very careful about the approach lest the wind blow you into the hazard while you’re retying your line. A trolling motor with an anchor function like the Minn Kota Terrova really comes in handy when fishing here!
The Railroad Tracks (2)
Most of my time fishing Bulwagga Bay has been spent plugging along the western shore, throwing crankbaits at the rip rap from the railroad track fill. I usually go here later in the year when the fishing around Crown Point and Ticonderoga starts to get tough because of a decreasing water level. The great thing about Bulwagga Bay near these tracks is that it stays deep year round and holds fish. I’ve had tremendous luck throwing red lipless cranks the past few years and it is quickly becoming a staple.
This is also an area where you’ll notice many guys troll for salmon and lake trout early in the year. They don’t tend to go right up to shore, instead concentrating on the nearby drop-off, but it’s certainly a popular spot. It can get a little tricky maneuvering in the area so make sure you’re careful.
I tend to fish right close to the rip rap though the weeds extend out considerably even in deeper water. The water is so clear here that the vegetation can grow even when well submerged. This makes it a great place to run a troll searching for pike or pickerel. Just be careful because while most areas are deep, there are some shallow spots near points that can come up on you quick!
Early in the year, you can catch Atlantic Salmon and even Lake Trout along the western shore of Bulwaga Bay.
The Mid-Bay Point (3)
South of the railroad tracks there is a soft point that extends out into Bulwagga Bay. This is a dangerous place to boat because there are several submerged boulders off this point. These boulders often hold largemouth bass throughout the year. Try bumping a crankbait off of them to encourage some strikes, but be careful with your trolling motor.
The Southern Bay (4)
The very southern section of Bulwagga Bay can hold a number of fish early in the year, but it gets extremely weed-clogged as the year goes on. This is your typical spawning bay and also frequently has clean water available. Try tossing a Senko or jig around until you connect with some early season bruisers.
The Stable Weedline (5)
The area just south of the southern most part of Bulwagga Bay is one of my favorite places to fish in Lake Champlain. Specifically, this area sets up extremely well to troll for chain pickerel, though you’ll also catch your share of bass, and even the odd walleye!
This area has deep enough water that a troll of 2.5 – 3 mph will usually keep your spinnerbaits from fouling too much. I like to cast them out and then let line out slowly while keeping them high in the water. Going back and forth in this area can be extremely productive around Labor Day.
The Eastern Shore (6)
The eastern shore of Bulwagga Bay can be a hit and miss place to fish. The southeast section is shallow and you’ll see a ton of gar swimming around. I haven’t had much luck there. As you move north, the shoreline becomes rocky and you can catch fish. The rocks are natural and flat sloping though and I haven’t had as much luck as the jagged rocks on the western shore along the railroad tracks. All the same, this area does hold fish and it’s worth giving it a shot, especially if the other side is taken.
What Fishing Lures Work Well in Bulwagga Bay?
Given the water clarity, I prefer to use more natural colored lures in Bulwagga Bay. Whereas chartreuse works very well south of the bridge, I feel like fish can get a closer look at your offering in Bulwagga Bay and accordingly, you ought to give them something white or even fish colored. The one exception is my tried and true red Rat-L-Traps which I love so much, and which are dynamite in this section.
The main lures I use to catch fish in Bulwagga are those red Rat-L-Traps, a perch-colored jerkbait, and a white spinnerbait with willow blades for trolling. All have their place. As mentioned earlier, there are many places where you can set up a shallow water troll in this area, so make sure you have a few tied on and ready to roll.
Special Considerations When Fishing Bulwagga Bay
Bulwagga Bay is a great place to fish for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and northern pike, but you will likely run into another type of fisherman you don’t encounter often: trollers. There is usually a fleet of boats here early in the year trolling for salmon and lake trout before they go deep. While this isn’t a problem, per say, it is something to be aware of. Use common sense when fishing around these folks so you don’t entangle their lines or ruin their trolling run.
Another thing to consider is that depending how you get there, you could be in for trouble on the way home. Lake Champlain really opens up north of Bulwagga Bay and sometimes you don’t realize what’s going on in the main lake while you’re fishing. This lead to one of the more dicey times I’ve had fishing Lake Champlain, so be careful heading out, especially if you need to get past the bridge to get home.
Finally, do bear in mind that while there are two boat launches very close to Bulwagga Bay (one in Port Henry, and the other underneath the Bridge on the VT side), each has some quirks. The boat launch at Port Henry has folks who will check your boat for invasive species, so show up clean and dry. Across the lake and underneath the bridge, there’s a small boat launch. Get there very early or you won’t have a spot.
Helpful Links for Fishing Bulwagga Bay
New to fishing Bulwagga Bay or Lake Champlain in general? Check out my Definitive List of Lake Champlain resources to learn about different ramps, fishing guides, and other websites where you can find information to help you have a great fishing trip.
I have several fishing reports for Bulwagga Bay on this website. Here are few you can check out:
If you’ve ever handled a northern pike or prepared it for dinner, you’ve probably noticed it is slimy. In fact, pike are such slimy fish that they’re sometimes referred to as “snot rockets.” This is a far cry from the more prestigious “water wolf,” but why are pike so slimy to earn it?
In short, northern pike are slimy because it helps them move through the water faster, protects them from fungus, parasites and disease, acts as a medicine against wounds, and affords them a measure of protection against predators. Read on to find out all about this in more detail.
What Is Fish Slime?
Fish slime is created when glycol-proteins that are produced in the epidermis combine with water to create a mucus coating for the fish. The point of this slime is multifold:
Slime acts as a natural barrier that helps protect fish from fungi, bacteria, and parasites.
A fish’s slime provides lubrication so it can move through the water with less friction.
Slime can sometimes contain medicinal properties for fish, which helps them heal their wounds.
The slime aids in balancing essential electrolytes for the fish by basically acting as a filter, and allows respiratory gases to move across a fish’s skin more easily.
As with other animals, some fish’s slime has toxins that either aid them in hunting or offer them some protection from predators.
A few fish are known to use slime to create nests, or even a food source for their offspring (source).
Clearly, slime provides many benefits to fish. One should therefore take care not to remove it unnecessarily when fishing.
Why Are Pike So Slimy?
Now that we know what fish slime is, the next question is why are pike so much slimier than many other fish? There are a few theories. First, a pike’s slime acts as a lubricant which helps it move through the water faster by reducing friction. Given that pike are speed hunters that chase down their prey, this makes a lot of sense. The less friction they have, the faster they can move through the water. Over time, pike that had more slime than others would likely thrive and thus the species has evolved to become the snot rockets we all know and love today.
Pike benefit from their slime in other ways. As with all fish, slime is basically an outer layer that offers a degree of protection from bacteria, fungus, parasites, and disease. Protecting a fish’s slime is a huge reason why Major League Fishing, for example, has rules that give anglers penalties if they treat a fish in such a way that would remove the slime, such as dropping it. While those rules are meant to protect bass, it stands to reason northern pike should have their slime protected for the same reason.
Some even theorize that a pike’s slime is a good way to protect its skin from damage, or even it from being eaten. Folks note that a pike spends a good amount of time in or near cover such as weeds and wood, and that their slime may help prevent them from bruises or cuts if they slide across the cover too harshly. Likewise, a pike’s slimy skin could, in theory, help them escape predation. This likely isn’t that big of a boost once a pike is fully grown, but on its way there, any little edge helps!
Tips for Handling Slimy Pike
Your approach to handling slimy pike is going to depend on if you intend to keep your catch or not. If you intend to release the fish, you should try and protect its slime as much as possible and not rub it off. Given that the pike’s slime is necessary to fight off bacteria, fungus and disease, as well as the benefits it gives the fish in terms of speed, it would be a shame to rub it off. Thus, you should handle pike with care while landing them. If you don’t feel comfortable landing them by hand, you should use either a net with rubber mesh, or, ideally, a landing cradle. These will help safely land the pike without wiping off too much slime or unnecessarily injuring it.
Frankly, if you fish for northern pike routinely, you should certainly consider buying the products I listed above. They make the landing process safer for the fish, and for you. Keep the slime on pike where it belongs and off your hands!
On the other hand, if you intend to eat your catch, you really won’t care if you wipe off some of the pike’s slime, as you’ll need to remove it prior to cooking, anyway. I personally don’t find it that difficult to handle pike regardless of how slimy they may be, but if you struggle, consider buying yourself some fishing gloves. They’ll give you a little bit better grip on slimy fish and keep your hands warm to boot.
Likewise, you can purchase yourself a good fileting glove so the pike doesn’t cut you from beyond the grave. These slimy fish are difficult to handle while fileting and accidents happen!
How Can You Remove Slime from Pike?
The slime from a northern pike smells and tastes awful, so if you intend to eat this fish, you need to remove it. Your options will depend on how you caught it and what you have at hand.
First, if you intend to eat the fish, kill it quickly so it will stop producing slime. You can do this by thwapping it on the head or by putting it on ice.
Once the pike is dead, some people then proceed to scrape the slime off where they are fishing. You can roll it in the grass or sand to accomplish this. Tossing them in an old gunny sack also helps remove the slime, and let’s you pretend you’re Huckleberry Finn to boot.
Many people simply swear by wrapping the pike in newspapers and waiting 20-30 minutes before attempting to clean them. It’s certainly a cost effective option assuming you still purchase a newspaper these days.
Others recommend freezing the fish and then as it thaws, wiping it down. Ice fishermen claim this takes the slime away easily and also stops the fish from secreting more.
A final option is to take a five gallon bucket, fill 1/3 of it with warm water, and another 1/3 with vinegar. Toss your pike in and stir it around. The vinegar helps the slime fall off of the fish which makes fileting it much easier.
Conclusions
While northern pike are so slimy that they deserve the name, “snot rocket,” the slime is there for good reason. It helps the fish move through the water quickly. The slime helps protect pike from bacteria, fungi, and parasites. It might just give pike a little extra edge when a predator is about to nab them. Finally, it can give northerns a good revenge, as the slime might cause an angler to cut themselves while fileting the pike for the table!
A pike’s slime is so important to its health that you should try to preserve it when practicing catch and release. If you do intend to harvest the fish, do so humanely and then practice the tips above for removing the smelly slime before you cook it. Otherwise, your dinner guests might have to leave unexpectedly.
I hope this article helped you understand why pike are so slimy. Feel free to leave me a comment below or send me an email with any other questions you have!
Many people struggle with telling the difference between a northern pike and a chain pickerel. Some folks see a long, slender fish with a mouth full of teeth and automatically think it is a northern pike. Very often, they are wrong.
While a full-grown northern pike is much bigger than a chain pickerel, there are other ways to tell the difference. First, their body coloration and patterns are distinct, as northern pike have short, light dots on their side, whereas a pickerel’s side will have a large, chain-like pattern. Secondly, their fins are shaped differently, with the tail in particular shaped quite differently between the species. Finally, there are differences in their submandibular pores and gill plates that can help you correctly identify the species.
This article will help you correctly tell the difference between these awesome gamefish. Read on to learn more!
The Main Differences Between Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel
Some people struggling with telling northern pike (Esox Lucius) and chain pickerel (Esox Niger) apart. They are similar-looking fish, being of the same Esox genus within the wider pike family, Esocidae, and they’re even known to cross breed and hybridize! Despite these similarities, they are quite distinct fish. It’s important to properly identify your catch so you don’t accidentally keep a fish you shouldn’t. This article will help you determine how.
Size
The obvious difference between northern pike and pickerel is their size. Northern pike are substantially larger both in length and average weight. For example, a 10lb northern won’t turn any heads, while a chain pickerel would beat its current world record by nearly a pound! Pike average approximately 5 – 10lbs while chain pickerel are much, much smaller, averaging about 2-4lbs. Likewise, northern pike are substantially longer than chain pickerel. For example, the Vermont Master Angler Program recognizes a 36″ northern pike as a trophy, whereas a trophy chain pickerel can be a full foot shorter.
Coloration Differences Between Pike and Pickerel
One of the best ways to tell pike and pickerel apart is their color and spotting differences. Northern pike tend to be much paler than chain pickerel and have small white dots along their sides. Chain pickerel on the other hand are much darker and have green or yellow chains splotched across their sides. When viewed side by side, the difference is obvious as can be seen in the photo below.
Fin Shape
Another way to tell the difference between pike and pickerel is to look at their fins. A pike’s pectoral and pelvic fins are much rounder than a pickerel’s, which have a straight edge towards their rear. Likewise, a pike’s caudal (tail) fin has much more rounded ends. The pickerel’s is much sharper, though not as sharp as a muskie’s.
Submandibular Pores
A good way to tell a pike and pickerel apart is to flip it upside down and check its submandibular pores. These are little holes that are visible on what is essentially the fish’s chin, or the bottom of its mouth. Northern pike will usually, but not always, have two sets of five pores with one set on each side of the jaw. Chain pickerel, in contrast, have 7 or 8 submandibular pores.
Another way to tell the difference between these fish is to check their gill plate. The lower half of a pike’s gill plate lacks scales, while a chain pickerel’s gill plate is completely scaled. Frankly, if you’re astute enough to check the gill plate, you probably already can tell which fish you’re looking at, but we might as well be thorough.
Distribution Range of Northern Pike vs. Chain Pickerel
One of the surest ways to tell whether you’ve caught a northern pike or chain pickerel is to ask yourself what continent you’re on. While northern pike are a worldwide phenomena found across North America, Europe, and Asia, chain pickerel are only found in the eastern and southeastern United States and Canada. Thus, if you’re sitting in Europe and wondering what you’ve just caught, it’s a pike.
Behavioral Differences Between Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel
Anyone who has caught many of these fish can tell you that they act differently when you get them in the boat. Pike tend to be fairly calm once caught, at least compared to their smaller cousins. Pickerel thrash about wildly, often tearing their fins in nets, cutting fingers trying to hold braided line still, and smashing themselves to high heaven. While it’s certainly not the most “scientific” way to determine which species you have, it tends to work.
What About Hybrid Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel?
Northern pike and chain pickerel are known to hybridize, though their offspring are sterile. This is a somewhat rare phenomena, though it does happen with some regularity in northern Lake Champlain. Fishing guides on that lake routinely post evidence of catches. The hybrid has a distinct coloration. A pike-pickerel hybrid tends to be green like a chain pickerel but with the northern’s spots. They also have a few diagonal lines across them along their side.
Misidentifying gamefish can get you in quite a bit of trouble. The last thing you need is to keep what you think is a huge pickerel only to find out it is a pike that is below the length limit for your lake. Thus, it’s important to know the difference.
Other Good Resources
Now that you know how to tell the difference between these fish, you might want to learn how to catch them! I’ve written quite a bit about both species over the years. My kids used to call them both “boo boo fish” because of their sharp teeth, after all! Here are some articles that you might find interesting!
I hope this article helped you learn how to tell a pike and pickerel apart. If you have further questions, please feel free to drop a comment below or to send me an email. Otherwise, happy fishing!
