Generally, the big-pike scene on trout waters is dominated by fish from Chew Valley Lake, but Rutland Water also holds a few specimens, as Dan Brackley found when he landed this fish of 30lb exactly alongside another of 29lb 12oz.
Fishing the Lure Anglers Society Predator Cup match, Dan set out at 9am with pike in mind. After having a number of follows, a fish finally crushed his lure – a VMC Mustache (which resembled a jig head with added bucktail) and Rapala Olio (a large soft plastic pattern) combo.
That turned out to be the specimen of 30lb exactly, and when he shared the news with the other anglers fishing, they now started looking for pike. Dan headed elsewhere and located what he thought was a big zander, that fish turned out to be yet another big pike, this time weighing 29lb 12oz. Dan added that he was fortunate to land that fish as it took a smaller Rapala Kickman lure fished on a finer hook, which he realised had straightened out after landing the fish!
Well done Dan!