Sweden we love you!

Jens and I had decided that this year’s spring holiday was to be used for three days hardcore pike fishing in Sweden. We are so fortunate to be able to borrow a really delightful house in Fengersfors, 2 hours north of Gothenburg, with own boat and located on the banks of a fantastic lake. I was up there for the first time a month ago which ended with three new personal pike records, so our hopes were high as we departed Friday afternoon.

Great company, beers and a beatiful sunset - Does it get any better than this?

We arrived at the house at 9.30 pm just in time for the fabulous sunset – Beautiful! Just had time for
a couple of quick beers, before getting our heads down for a fresh start the next day 4 am the alarm clock rings – out of bed, down to the boat and off out to the pike. We only just managed to throw the first shells on the water before the first 3 kilo pike struck. Super start.

After that though it went a bit slow and we only managed to get 3 pike in the boat that morning, with the biggest being around 3 kilo. A little disappointing. After a huge, delicious breakfast, prepared by my delightful girlfriend, we grabbed a couple more hours on the lake, this time with slightly better results. Jens got a beautiful pike at 5.22 kg, which gave up a fantastic fight, with several long runs. In all we totaled 6 pike the first day.

5,22 kg - 95 cm

Sunday morning we were again up at 4 and out on the lake. It was though not worth missing the sleep over, as it only gave 4 smaller pike. After lunch we went out again, when we amongst others got a rare (for us) double strike of two lovely pike of 4.79 and 4.56 kg. All in all a rather disappointing day, although the nature and wonderful landscape was, in itself worth the trouble. Now there was no way back. Monday morning, and the last leg of the trip, if we were to catch the large pike. Again we started out nice and early. The first couple of hours we were unable to find the fish on the echo-sounder and nothing happened.


Around seven o’clock the fish began to congregate and we quickly got the first pike on one of our large lovely shells. Half an hour later Jens get a serious strike on our favorite Alien Eel. After a rather short fight we get to see the pike and land it easily. The scales say 7.14 kg and it is 105 cm long – Finally!

7,14 - 107 cm

But it wasn’t to stop there. Shortly after, the Alien Eel rod folds in two again and I grab it quickly. Counter strike and hooked fish! It seems unbelievably heavy and I am quite certain this is our first 10 kg+ pike on the line. I do wonder however, why it hasn’t run or even pulled on the rod, but larger pike often follow along right up to the boat before running off. Jens is ready with the net and after a few minutes the catch is in sight…

A HUGE disappointment of no less than 200 cm! The Eel had damned-well caught fast on a tree on the bottom 20 meters down. What was the chance of that happening?

After that big letdown the fishing died out and we sailed in around 10 after having 5 pike out of the water.

The total result of the tour was 21 pike, the largest being 5.22 and 7.14 kg. No giants but really lovely fish anyway. Most of the pike were caught on live roach and the big Alien Eel, fishing 10 – 15 meters down in 20 – 25 meters of water.

We say thanks for the memories and look forward to soon returning to the lovely Swedish nature.

New PB from Furesøen

After a few cancelled meetings I gave myself a half day-off, and it must be spent of course hunting the large spring pikes in Furesøen! I arrived at the lake around 9 and rigged up the boat. The conditions were near perfect – Almost no wind, 13 degrees and full sunshine.

 A few days earlier I bought a couple of Savage Gear 25 cm 4play wobblers in some violent colors, and I chose to start with one of these as well as the little Alien Eel, which gave such good results before. I had not been fishing for 10 minutes before the rod with the 4play wobbler folded completely in half – a quick counter strike and a hooked fish! I could immediately sense that it was a nice fish, which was confirmed when it turned in front of the boat taking a run of 10 – 15 meters.

I hadn’t unfolded the landing net, så I had to land the lovely lady-pike, which was securely hooked in the jaw, by hand. As I didn’t have my trusty fishing partner Jens along, I had to throw the girl into a sack and sail into the yacht club, where a couple of friendly hobby-sailors helped with the photography. After a short photo-session the pike was weighed in at 8.12 kg, 109 cm and not least;
a new personal record – COOL!:)

New PB: 8,12 kg and 109 cm

PB

 After that fantastic start I continued good pike fishing for about 3 hours which led to 3 more fish – 2.21 kg, 3.43 kg and 5.07 kg. All fish were caught by trolling on a 4play orange colored wobbler. The trick was to troll at full speed in 3 -4 meters of water. The 4play wobbler below was the winner of the day with 3 out of 4 fish.

2 kg

5,07 kg

Again a really good day pike fishing on Furesoen, which really gives full value for money on these short trips. Sunday evening we are out there again, so let’s hope the good fishing continues.

Tight lines out there! :)

Start of the Danish pike season 2012

During the weekend it was about prize pike at one of our favorite lakes on Zealand. They were a couple of hard days on the lake with heavy winds and difficult conditions, and we “only” got 11 pike in the boat, with the two biggest weighing around 4.5 kg. The largest number of pike was caught on a little Alien Eel in Firetiger colors. Damn, it was good!

Jens' biggest pike - 4,47 kg

As always the social side of fishing is important, therefore we set aside a few hours Saturday for a delicious grilled lunch with all the trimmings. Highly recommended!

The largest pike of the trip struck on a little perch fished in about 8 meters of water.

All in all a wonderful trip with too much wind, too few pike, and way too much alcohol :)

Giant zander from Sweden

The Swede Roger Larsson grabbed during the weekend this fantastic pike-perch at 10.62 kg and 104 cm. A dream-fish!

Read more here.