Matchman nets huge pike on Stainforth & Keadby Canal

A roach fishing session on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal took an unexpected twist when Lee Kerry hooked and successfully landed this 25lb 12oz pike.

The Preston Innovations rod had been enjoying a practice outing on the prolific Thorne section of the Yorkshire waterway and had managed to put over 20lb of roach in the net on waggler tactics in three hours sport.

With the light closing in he hooked another redfin which was snapped up by a big pike and after a tense ten minute battle in which a boat also ploughed through his swim it was in the net.

“The size 18 hook had lodged in between its teeth and it’s a miracle the rig didn’t break as I was only using an 0.09mm hooklink!” explained Lee.