Pike Fishing
The following guidance and Angling Regulations that are specific to pike fishing will be reviewed periodically and are subject to change.
NO PIKE FISHING on any SHCAC water between April 1st and September 30th. Like the majority of clubs these days, Pike fishing will be allowed only from 1st October to 31st March (or until 14th March on waters affected by the close season).
SHCAC is committed to the welfare of our pike, please treat pike with the utmost care. The following Angling Regulations should be followed at all times.
SHCAC appreciates that many members of the legacy clubs and Water Share clubs are experienced and competent pike anglers and do not require any training or guidance in fishing methods and pike care.
For those less experienced anglers and any other members wishing to fish for pike that are interested, SHCAC run in-house Pike Classes each year that are held before the start of the pike season.
Following attendance at a Pike Class, SHCAC members will be issued with a Pike Pass that lasts as long as you are a member of SHCAC.
All anglers wishing to fish for Pike, will have to attend and complete a Pike Class, where they will then receive their SHCAC Pike Permit. There is no wish to alienate members, however experienced pike anglers will know that Pike are particularly vulnerable to injury and death because of their biology, habits, size and to a degree the tackle used to fish for them. The Pike Classes will aim to reduce the number of Pike injuries and deaths by educating anglers in best practice. Those anglers who already know it all but do not possess a Pike Pass, will be able to pass on their knowledge to other members by attending these courses. The whole idea is to share knowledge and best practice. We simply, cannot see a better way of doing this!
ONLY ANGLERS WITH A PIKE PASS CAN FISH FOR PIKE ON THE HYDNEYE LAKE.
Anglers who do not possess a Pike Pass will be restricted to fishing the Wallers Haven, Pevensey Haven and Cuckmere and be given leeway until next year (September 2024) after which, all anglers who wish to fish for Pike, MUST have a Pike Pass.
Should our Bailiffs or Water Keepers witness any detrimental behaviours to pike welfare, the SHCAC member will be referred to the Committee for further action that could result in expulsion from the club.
However, all Pike Anglers will still be checked and a note will be made on their SHCAC record of no Pike Pass. All members will be expected to co-operate with water keepers checks and questions, though Pike anglers will quite possibly receive extra checks for the above reasons. THE VAST MAJORITY OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PIKE ANGLERS UNDERSTAND THIS POLICY
Pike Fishing Rules
- Where permitted, pike fishing is only allowed between 1st October and 14th March on non-enclosed waters (rivers) and 1st October and 31st March on enclosed waters (lakes).
- Only tackle designed for pike fishing shall be used. Beachcasters and boat rods are prohibited.
- Main Lines must have a minimum of 12lb breaking strain or equivalent.
- Wire Traces are compulsory and must be 18 inches or more in length with a breaking strain of 15lbs minimum.
- A Wire Up-trace must be used in conjunction with all types of paternoster rigs and must be at least 6 inches longer in length than the hook length being used.
- Forceps are compulsory for unhooking pike and must have a length of at least 10 inches.
- Large Landing Nets are compulsory and must be at least 36inch arms.
- The use of a large padded unhooking mats must be used at all times while handling pike.
- Pike Gags, Fish Grippers and Stringers are strictly forbidden on all of SHCAC fisheries.
- The retention of pike in keepnets or sacks is forbidden unless fishing a pike competition.
- It is strictly forbidden to use the hook of a spring balance to weigh pike under the chin.
- Standing up holding a pike is not allowed at any time. Keep pike low to the ground.
- Rods to be positioned no more than 2 meters away from the angler using them.
