In a previous topic, we defined the conditions under which bigbait fishing was particularly suitable and productive . However, are there any other alternatives to these oversized lures? The underlying question is whether it makes sense today to dispense with bigbaits and, above all, whether this approach is relevant to most of our practices.
Just a passing fad?
Under the influence of Scandinavian practices, bigbaits have gradually become part of the habits of French pike anglers.
If this approach is effective and fits in with the phenomenon of trophy fish seeking, is it really more effective than other approaches with lures of more conventional and reasonable size? And isn't it simply a fad with no real added value for the fish? I don't pretend to have the answer, but I do wonder when I see lures between 30 and 40 cm on the market today...
Do I make bigger fish?
The first question to ask when assessing the relevance of this approach is the average size of our bigbait catches! If we were to make statistics according to the techniques and lures used, would the average size of pike caught be greater with our bigbaits? For the same amount of time, of course!
While these statistics would certainly vary according to context and season, would they often be favourable to bigbaits and could these fish caught with oversized lures not have been lured in some other way?
Prey size
Many anglers consider the pursuit of pike solely with bigbaits. However, this approach should be seen as an answer, not as the only solution. Thus, in environments or during periods when pike are mainly focused on small prey, using only bigbaits is a serious analytical error...
The fishing environment
The expression "throwing a stone in the pond" is the perfect illustration of my thoughts! Indeed, bigbait fishing in very small environments is, in my opinion, an approach that lacks relevance, because of its discretion. I'm not saying that in small or medium-sized bodies of water, pike won't feed on large prey, but it's highly likely that the average size of the pike population will be smaller. But especially when the overall volume of water in the environment is low (especially when depth is restricted), the use of large lures can quickly saturate the area and become counter-productive.
Without going into downsizing and the opposite extreme, I think medium-sized lures are much better suited to prospecting small environments.
Should we always try to select?
I often hear that bigbait fishing allows you to select the big fish... While this may be true, unfortunately in France there are very few environments where pike populations are so high that it is necessary to select our catches... The idea of selection is a good one, but within which herd?
Fishing and fighting comfort
Bigbait fishing requires special equipment, and let's be honest, casting 150-gram lures or more all day long is far from pleasant and comfortable... What's more, the rods required leave little freedom of action for an 80 cm pike. Aiming for record-breaking fish is one thing, but you have to admit that you're depriving yourself of the pleasure of fighting for 95% of your catch!
My design today
Although I succumbed for a time to the promise of bigbait fishing and I don't question its effectiveness, I've gone back over the last few years in favor of a lighter approach that offers more fishing comfort, more pleasure during fights and which I also find more suited to the environments I now fish in.
So I now use a Heavy set, i.e. a rod with 20/60 grams casting power and lures in the same weight range, up to a maximum of 20 cm for soft lures. This already offers a very decent bite for a metered fish.
Last but not least, beyond the pleasure I get out of it, this approach often leads to great encounters. These more reasonably sized lures can lure and catch very large perch or very nice pike-perch. Even if it's not the species you're after, it's often a pleasant surprise.
