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Probably the simplest way to fish for pike is by legering with small to medium sized dead baits, these may be small dead coarse fish or for those not able to acquire such baits then sea baits such as smelts, sardines, sprats, herring and small ‘joey’ mackerel will suffice and are readily available today pre-packed and frozen and kept in tackle shops all over the country. Using the typical rig shown in diagram above, will allow you to cast a reasonable distance, if you need to, with bite indication being via the plain or semi-loaded pencil float, attached via its loop or swivel at the base, (remember here the reason discussed earlier in Getting Started, as to which float you should choose to suit the prevailing conditions).


The simple float leger rig shown in the accompanying page (float leger 1) describes most of the detail for setting up this popular method. In the diagram shown here you can see the value of the loaded pike pencil in use, here shown in a rough water situation.

Float 'B' shows how a standard unloaded pike pencil will act in such choppy conditions as might be experienced on any venue during the winter months. This is difficult to combat from a bank side swim in any way as the principles of the rig are that the angler has the sensitivity to see what is happening to his bait, to help prevent deep hooking and its consequences. With a tight line being a necessity for this method two problems occur, firstly the float will appear to be disappearing as the wave engulfs it as it passes and then the float will appear to rise up and lie flat or disappear into the trough between the waves. This will lead to firstly over reaction to the activity, with the angler suspecting a bite, only to 'miss' the run and subsequently after a while, the activity will be taken for granted and 'ignored'. The angler will then elect to wait for a full blooded run, after the pike has taken and possibly swallowed the bait and hooks, you know the rest!

Float leger afloat use a semi-loaded pike pencil float!

In the same situation, switching the float to a semi-loaded version (float 'A') will allow the bait to be presented in a very similar way, but with slightly less sensitivity than the unloaded float tackle, you won't need to set the float by tightening up from rod tip to float as before.

The float should be set (via a stop knot and bead) with an extra foot of depth or so is added to the depth setting to allow the float to do the riding up and down, additionally the weight used should be slightly increased to compensate for the energy placed on the bait, although you might argue that the added movement of the bait may well attract a take from a nearby pike! Once in place tighten the line between rod tip an float to take up the slack between float and bait but leave enough 'slack at the rod tip to allow the float to move naturally.

This type of float is also essential if you are going to fish float legered baits from any form of boat. You will never be able to achieve a positive setting for the float. Whilst you now the exact depth of the swim the rig will be in and be able to set the tackle to present it with good visibility, after casting wind or tow from the current or undertow pressure on the line or movement of the boat will tighten or slacken the reel line causing the float to appear to go under or rise up in the water, giving the appearance of a take.

The same scenario as described earlier occurs, the anglers gets fed up with this and eventually ignores most of this activity, waiting for full blooded runs to occur, again with the obvious consequences. The semi loaded float performs as described earlier and rides the waves more easily and is visible at all times, that is until a take actually occurs and you get to strike and hook a pike for real.

If you find yourself facing extremely rough conditions when fishing from the bank with dead baits or likely to fish them afloat, make sure you have a loaded pike pencil in your tackle box and make the whole thing more enjoyable for yourself and of course the Pike.