Hickling Broad Pike Stalking
Hickling Broad reed mouths hold pike at 15-20 feet during evening ambushes
Hickling Broad's marginal drop-offs near overhanging alders concentrate pike during low light. Shore-stalking beats sitting on a bank; quiet steps, soft soles and casts aimed into reed mouths and tight weed-lines make the difference. Precision matters — land the lure six inches from the reed edge rather than ploughing through the stems.
Gear & Rig
A light travel rod spooled with 30-pound braid keeps gear minimal and casts sharp. Attach a 12-inch wire leader or a 3-4 foot 20-40 pound fluorocarbon leader depending on teeth and weed. Replace trebles with super-sharp single hooks like a Gamakatsu Siwash. Pack a long-handled net and long-handled pliers for confident, safe handling.
Use gliders: Berkley Zilla Glider pulls pike from open water; a Dardevle 3/4-1oz spoon is a timeless choice. Rig 4-5 inch swimbaits weedless for snaggy mouths. Troll only when covering water; aim lures to run 15-20 feet deep for best contacts.
Retrieve slow and steady. Add small choppy jerks, snap the lure sideways and pause. In dusk or murk opt for darker colours and heavier silhouettes. A cast into a reed mouth, a half-second hang, then the strike — reed fronds explode and the broads go silent beneath the moonlit spill.
Recommended: telescopic landing net