European hawg-bodied pike?

[Questor]

Mr. Dahlberg:

Have you had occasion to fish the big-bodied pike of Europe? I seem to recall that Ireland was the big-fish country. What was your impression of the quality of the fishing?

Thanks.

[dahlberg]

hi q,
I've fished them in Finland (Baltic sea fish) and in Russia (caspian) but not in Ireland. When in systems co-habited by salmon the locals often look at pike as nuisance fish and are sometimes purposely targeted by the death squad.
I believe you are correct about the largest documented specimen coming from Ireland. If my memory serves me, it was in the 90lb range and was procured with a pitchfork.
From my experience their behavior is identical to our pike.
best,
L

[Bob Daly]

In-Fisherman magazine-April/May 2007 issue lists the 20 biggest pike on earth (so Far). The largest weighed in at 67.3lbs and was caught in a gravel pit, Dannstadt, Germany in 1983.
Bob Daly

[blu1fin]

One of those MONSTER European pike was recently caught in Italy. I don't have all the details at this stage but will post them when I do.

From the photos I have seen, the fish looks to be in excess of 50 pounds. The fish was released. Guessing it will pop up all over the web soon as being caught on Rainy Lake by someone's uncle's buddy who works with him at the plant in town. LOL