Thanks to accomplished Oxfordshire pike angler Marc Dibsdall for some excellent photos from a recent Christmas time fish-in with the Oxford Pike Anglers Club.

The lads got to fish one of the local gravel pits rarely open to pike angling, and Marc took full advantage by working hard and switching swims several times to find the Pike.  After a few Jacks early on with popped-up Smelt, Marc bagged a 14lber, before finally switching in late afternoon to his favourite popped-up Joey Mackerel.  This was fished with the minimal weight – 2 SSG shot – popped up with just a loop of power gum on the line as a bite indicator; very delicate indeed!

The result was this 19lb 6oz Pike, a fitting end to a good day’s fishing!  Mark fished his baits on E-Sox Extra Strong Trebles (which are very popular with discerning pikers!) and the now sadly discontinued Titanium Pike Wire.