SHCAC Pike Fishing Rules & Regulations
SHCAC is committed to the welfare of our pike, please treat pike with the utmost care. SHCAC runs in-house Pike Pass Workshops before the start of the pike season. Following attendance at a Pike Pass Workshop, you will be issued with a lifelong Pike Pass. Please remember that you can only fish for Pike if you are in possession of a Pike Pass, this includes Guests and Water Share club members. Pike Pass workshop dates have now opened for Sept 2026 and have been published on this website and Facebook.
The following guidance and Angling Regulations that are specific to pike fishing will be reviewed periodically and are subject to change. If Water Keepers witness any angling activities detrimental to pike welfare the anglers involved will be required to attend a Pike Pass workshop again.
SHCAC pike fishing requires a lifelong Pike Pass earned via an in-house workshop. September 2026 workshop dates are open on the SHCAC website and Facebook. All members, guests, and water share club members must hold a pass from SHCAC or partner clubs (Seaford AC, Hastings & Bexhill AA, Isfield AC) to fish.
Season Dates
- Rivers (non-enclosed): 1st October – 14th March
- Lakes (enclosed): 1st October – 31st March
Baits & Lures
- Live bait: Forbidden
- Freshwater dead baits: Frozen shop-bought only (no transfers from other waters)
- Freelining dead baits: Forbidden
- Jigs, lures, and drop-shotting (other species): Allowed during the pike season only if using a 30lbs wire trace, minimum 20lbs mono / 30lbs braid, ready 36-inch net (30-inch round), padded unhooking mat, and barbless/micro-barbed hooks. Drop-shotting also requires a wire up-trace 6 inches longer than the hook length.
Tackle & Rig Requirements
- Rods & line: Specimen carp/pike gear only. Mono main line 20lbs minimum; braid 30lbs minimum. 9/10 weight rod recommended for fly fishing.
- Traces: Compulsory wire traces (18+ inches, 30lbs minimum strain; hooks should straighten before line breaks). Wire up-trace required for paternoster rigs (6+ inches longer than hook length) and drop-shotting.
- Hooks: Barbless or crushed only (one treble hook with micro barb allowed for bait affixing).
Handling & Welfare Gear
- Mandatory tools: Minimum 10-inch unhooking forceps, side cutters for hooks, fish care kit, and large padded unhooking mats.
- Mandatory nets: Minimum 36-inch arms or 30-inch round diameter.
- Prohibited items: Live fish baits, freelining, pike gags, fish grippers, stringers, keepnets, and sacks.
General Rules
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- Keep rods within 3 meters, (as per Environment Agency byelaws).
- Keep fish low to the ground during handling and photography.
- Weigh fish only in approved weighing nets, (purpose designed for large pike/carp).
- Report damaged fish or inappropriate rigs.
- Violating welfare rules requires retaking the Pike Pass workshop.
