Thanks to Durham’s Simon Ashton for sending us this terrific photo of a big Pike he caught during the Christmas holiday.

Simon endured some really rough weather on a northern stillwater (the type which would put off less dedicated anglers!) as he knew there was a good chance it would encourage the Pike to feed.

His instincts were proven quite correct when his Sardine deadbait was taken by this quite superb 18lb ‘Esox’ – fully justifying the decision to brave the conditions.

“The fish was my only bite and the trip had to be cut short due to the horrendous weather that battered us for the 24 hours we were fishing” explained Simon.

For full details on the E-Sox Piker Bait Rod 12ft as used by Simon, click here.