Pike in the boat: safety, storage and transportation of catch

Pike fishing is always a thrill and a struggle, but just when the predator is already in the boat, a new stage begins that requires special attention. Inexperienced anglers often underestimate the danger posed by even a small pike, and in a hurry they get painful cuts or lacerations from its sharp teeth. Moreover, improper handling of the trophy on the slippery surface of the boat can lead to damage to the balloon or board itself, which is fraught with serious problems.

Effectively managing a fish caught is a skill that separates the beginner from the pro. You need to not only pull the pike out of the water, but also securely lock it, release it from the hook and organize proper storage for the rest of the fishing. In this article, we will detail all the nuances of working with a toothy predator on board, so that your catch remains intact and the boat is sealed.

Primary fixation and neutralization of the predator

Once the pike is overboard, you instinctively want to grab it with your hands, but that's a big mistake. The fish's body is covered in mucus, which makes it incredibly slippery, and sudden tail movements can cause you to miss the trophy or drop it back into the water, scaring the rest of the fish. Control of the situation It starts with the right grip.

Experienced fishermen use a special tool. grab or lipogluThis device allows you to securely fix the fish by the lower jaw, eliminating the possibility of a bite. If you do not have a special tool, you need to act extremely carefully: with your thumb and index fingers of one hand, you need to cover the gill covers, pressing them tightly against the body to limit the mobility of the head.

There is a common myth that pikes need to be jammed with a blow to the head, which is only justified if you plan to immediately process the fish or if it is too large and aggressive to safely extract the hook. In sports fishing, which involves the principle of catch-let-let, stunning is strictly prohibited, as it reduces the chances of survival of the fish after release.

Remember that even a decapitated pike (metaphorically, without the ability to bite) can cause damage with its spiny fins. finization An important stage in the preparation for the removal of the hook.

Tools for safe removal of the hook

Trying to pull the hook with your bare hands is a surefire way to get hurt. Pike teeth are not only on your jaws, but also on your tongue and throat walls, and they're pointing inward, making extracting the sting difficult and dangerous. kortzang (surgical clamp) or quality extractor.

Kortsang allows you to go deep into the mouth of a fish, grab the forearm hook and turn it to release the beard. Extractors often have a special notch that makes it easier for the stinger to slip off the tissues. If the hook is deep in the throat, it is best not to try to act randomly, so as not to damage the vital organs of the fish if you plan to let it go.

Every spinner fishing from a boat should have a toolbox that is spread out in an accessible place, and chaotic search for an extractor in a bag while the pike is beating in the hands or in a cage, puts the fish under stress and increases the risk of injury to the angler.

Special attention should be paid to the stinging condition, and if the hook is blunt or rusty, it is better to replace it before fishing, and the dull sting tears tissue rather than piercing it, which makes it difficult to extract and increases the recovery time of the fish.

Organization of catch storage in the boat

Once the hook is removed, the question is, where do you put the pike? Just throw it at the bottom of the boat, you condemn the fish to quickly spoil, and yourself to a constant struggle with attempts to crawl overboard or stain everything around with mucus and blood. space-building critical.

The most common method is to use a cookan, which is a simple device that is a strong cord or metal rope with clasps that is passed through the lower jaw of a fish and attached to a boat, and the pike stays in the water, which keeps it fresh, but it can't swim far or confuse the tackle.

If you catch in the cold or in shallow water, where the cookie is inconvenient to use, the alternative is a special plastic-cage It's a container of water that's attached to the inside of a boat, but it's worth remembering that a large volume of water in an unstable boat is a risk of shifting the center of gravity.

Storage method	Pluses	Cons	Recommended time
Cookan (in the water)	Fish fresh, not soiling the boat	Can confuse tackles, seen by predators	Up to 24 hours.
The sludge inside the boat	Control of catch, pike protection	Takes up space, water splashes.	Up to 4-6 hours.
Dry container with ice	Perfect for transportation.	Fish are no longer alive, they need training.	Fishering out.
On the boat floor	No cost.	Risk of damage to the boat, rapid damage	Not recommended

When choosing a method, consider the duration of your expedition. For a day walk, a cook is also suitable, and for a multi-day tour, it is better to immediately take care of the quality cooling of the catch.

Why can't you just keep a pike at the bottom of a boat?

A pike left without water or fixation begins to actively release mucus, which, when drying, turns into a film that is difficult to wash off. In addition, the movements of the tail can damage inflatable tubes or scratch the aluminum side, and the sharp bristles of the teeth can wipe the fabric of clothing or even the skin of the fisherman's legs.

Risks of damage to the boat and equipment

Pike is not only a valuable trophy, but also a potential threat to your boat, especially if it is made of PVC. The spiny dorsal fins of this fish are as hard as a razor blade. When actively trembled on the dry bottom of the boat, they can easily make a puncture or cut, which in water conditions will become fatal.

To minimize the risks, the bottom of the boat needs to be protected. If you plan to catch a lot of pike, it makes sense to lay it on the floor. rug It's made of thick rubber or a special material, and it's going to keep the cylinders from getting damaged and make it easier to clean up after fishing.

Fishing clothes are also at risk, and strong membrane suits can be easily damaged by teeth or fins, so having tight, waterproof pants and knee pads is not just a matter of comfort, but also a safety feature.

It is also important to keep an eye on the gear, and a line wound around the tail of an active pike can tear the thin elements of the tackle or even cut your fingers when you try to remove it.

The technique of vacation: how to preserve the population

Vacation fishing is becoming more popular, and it's the right approach to conserving natural resources, but just throwing a pike overboard is not enough, and you have to follow a set of rules about how you're physically fitting a fish to survive.

First, the fight time with the fish shouldn't be too long. If you've been fishing for 20 minutes, it's likely to be too depleted of lactic acid in the muscles and may not survive.

Secondly, you only need to touch fish with wet hands or gloves, dry hands or tissues remove the protective layer of mucus, opening the gate for infections. If you used a kukan, carefully remove the clasp, supporting the fish with your abdomen upwards, and gently lower it into the water.

⚠️ Attention: Never lift a large pike vertically behind the lower jaw on weight without abdominal support, which can damage the spine or internal organs of the fish, making it meaningless to release.

Before the holiday, let the pike catch its breath. Hold it in the water against the current (or the movement of the boat) until it begins to make attempts to swim by itself. This will only take a minute, but dramatically improve its chances of survival.

Hygiene and care of the boat after pike

The fishing is over, the trophies are packed, but the fisherman's work is not yet complete, the pike mucus and scales that get on the boards and bottom of the boat, when dry, create an unpleasant smell and can become a breeding ground for bacteria, and the residue of blood attracts other predators or insects.

Clean the boat immediately after returning to shore, use warm water and a soft sponge, and aggressive chemicals such as solvents or strong acids can damage the PVC material or the lacquer coating of aluminum.

Be sure to check all angles and joints for small scales or pieces of fins. They can get stuck and on the next fishing cause a puncture or just an unpleasant surprise.

Don’t forget to wash your tools too: extractors, kortzangs and kukans also need cleaning and disinfection to keep the rust from spoiling their functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I keep a pike in an inflatable boat without water?

Short term, yes, but not desirable. Without water, the pike quickly becomes covered with mucus, which makes the boat floor slippery, and begins to beat actively, which increases the risk of puncture with fins.

How to safely pull the hook if the pike swallowed it deeply?

If the hook is deep in the throat or esophagus, it is better not to try to get it with tools, as there is a high risk of damage to vital organs. In this case, if you do not plan to take the fish, it is recommended to snack on the fishing line as close as possible to the hook and release the fish - it is able to digest or throw the hook yourself.

What are the dangers of pike fins for an inflatable boat?

The dorsal and anal fins of the pike have hard, sharp rays. When rubbed against PVC material under the weight of a fish or when jerked sharply, they act like a knife, leaving deep scratches or through cuts.

Do I need to stun the pike before removing the hook?

Stun the fish (hit the head) only if you've decided to leave it for food, and for fish intended for vacation, stunning is contraindicated, as it disrupts brain function and reduces the chances of survival.

What temperature is critical for storing pike on a kukan?

In warm water (above 20°C), pike content on the kukan is not recommended for longer than 1-2 hours, as the fish quickly suffocates and spoils. In cold water, time can be increased, but monitoring the status of the catch is mandatory.