Techniques

Hard lures for pike: jerkbaits and gliders, diving crankbaits, spinners and spoons, with the retrieves that work and when to choose each.

What line thru lures are, how they differ from jig-head shads, and when trout, perch and bream patterns make sense for UK pike.

How to fish soft shads and paddle tails for pike: jig head weights, the sink-and-draw retrieve, stinger hooks, sizes and colours.

How big should a pike lure be? A practical guide to 10cm, 15cm, 20cm and larger lures, and how water, season and target fish change the answer.

Live bait, deadbait or lures for pike? A straight comparison of each method and where livebaiting is banned or restricted in the UK.

There’s no legal pike season, but there is a date most anglers work to. Why 1 October, why water temperature matters more, and what to check first.

A float-fished deadbait is the most versatile and the most enjoyable way to fish for pike. Here is how to set one up, why it beats a static leger in a lot of situations, and how to hit runs cleanly.

Euro nymphing has changed river fly fishing in Britain, and autumn is a good time to learn it. Here is what the method actually involves, the kit you need and how to make your first drifts count.

You do not need new rigs for autumn, but a handful of adjustments make a real difference in colder water and heavier flow. Here are the changes I make and why.

Autumn brings fresh fish into many rivers and the back end can be the most productive part of the season. Here is what rain does to the runs and how to fish for them responsibly.