This is EXACTLY how I set up my rig... 2 to 3oz inline lead to a ballbearing swivel...homemade trace (because I don't trust shop-bought ones🙄) about 15" long & semi-barbed trebles for minimal damage to the fish... I even use the bait elastic... 😉 12' 2 & 3/4lbs t.c. Diawa rods, Shimano 10'000 reels loaded with 30lbs braid & delkin alarms on a Fox Pod completes the setup.. My float ball is the plastic widget out of a guinness can. 😎👍☘ Popped up, in my opinion , gives a much more positive take & I have often fished with friends who used non- popped baits & when they'd get a bite, it would be " beep here beep there" as the pike wrestles it out of the bottom weed, inevitably leading to premature strikes & lost fish... My PB is 28lbs & I hope the good Lord gives me enough time (I'm 63y.o.) to beat that on some frosty Spring morning, as the kettle whistles its approval in the background... 😂 Tight Lines to all... From the Emerald Isle 😎👍☘🍺

Great tip especially letting the bait up, why didn’t I think of that

Wow I I wish I see this start of season start pike fishing because of this man and learnt a lot another bit of great tactics to add to the bag from an outstanding angler!

Great stuff Des, I like the tip on letting it rise and fall to get the take.

Through these videos I’m learning you don’t have to be so subtle about presentation as I thought you did, hungry pike will have it

I.m gonna try it out tomorow, like your pike lessons, excuse my bad english, regards from Stuttgart

This is a real fisherman right here

Hi what do you use at the end of your trace to stop the pop up from coming off? Thanks

Des: do you even want a jack pike Me:i just want any fish 😭😭

Any suggestions. I’m river fishing and I have found a spot with 4-5 very large pike. Always in the same spot week after week. Cab clearing see them as the water is crystal clear. For the life of me I can’t get them to take anything. Any suggestions

Hi Des, do you set a stop knot on the line to stop the bait rising or do you set your baitrunner tension so that this stops the bait rising? Basically im asking, in a free running-rig, how do you stop the popped-up bait from rising to the surface?

I'm just starting out Piking again since i was a kid (40 years ago) and have been watching all these videos for tackle, rigs and kit .. but the one thing I cannot find is where to fish. I'm looking for a day ticket type, still water, where i can have space to set up and experiment with ledgering and floating. A fishery that isn't too demanding with weed/trees/underwater obstacles etc where I can gain confidence setting up and maybe even catch a couple. I'm 15 Miles East of Birmingham (Atherstone) so anywhere around Nuneaton, Coventry, Hinkley, Tamworth or Leicester area would be good - can anyone help please? Thanks

Thank you sir :)

Hi Des how you attach poper to top treble? Using normal line or trace vire?

I can't tell you the amount of takes I've had with lures below my feet as its coming out of the water.

Des using popper's???.….🤣🤣🤣