I lost two five-pound pike this weekend and I want to share what I learned.
The first fish we lost because we were not quick enough on the net. With the first pike I had on, I brought the fish close enough to the boat to be netted but by fishing partner was too slow reacting with the net. The pike pulled my line out and snapped it. Yeah, I had the drag set nice but this was a big fish that seemed very upset and being on the other end of my rod.
The second fish I had on I lost because of my own fault. After the first experience, I was too worried about the net and did not set the hook well enough with a hard tug of the rod. The hook came off because it was not set in the pike's hard mouth - that will happen when you are more concerned with what is happening with the net on the boat.
Lessons learned: be quick with the net and hammer the rod hard to set the hook. Happy fishing.
