Preserved and cased Pike, caught by Dr. W.J. Turrell in the River Thames at Bablock Hythe on 23rd January 1898. Weight 26lbs

Preserved and cased by J. Cooper & Sons of London.

This is the largest Thames Pike caught on a Jim Vincent spoon spinner to date.


PIKE

Latin name - Esox lucius

Colour - it is greeny brown with paler scales

Size - A pike can grow up to 1m (3.5ft) and weigh between 4-20 kg (9-45lb). The biggest pike ever caught was 34kg (75lb).

Characteristics - It has a stream lined, elongated (long) body with a powerful tail. It has a wide mouth with 3 rows of hooked teeth. Male pikes, known as Jacks, are smaller than females.

Diet - A pike feeds on all fish. Larger pike also eat small mammals, frogs and water fowl.

Habitat - the pike likes slow flowing or still water which is high in oxtgen and with dense plant cover.

How fished for - Anglers use live or dead fish such as sprats, mackeral or artificial baits called lures. Spinning is the technique used to catch pike. Spinning involves drawing back the bait or lures through the water to imitate the movement of the natural bait.

Interesting facts - Pikes have been known to eat seagulls and rats!