By Matt — Fishing • Pike
This morning, a fine mist on the river. I know that “Mr. Beak” is never far away. The key isn't just the lure: it's how I read the water, how I move forward, how I observe. And yes, my polarized sunglasses help me— not a gimmick, an advantage .
1) Water reading: where I place my first casts
When I arrive, I scan: water inlets, weed beds, small calm bays, breaks, shadows cast by trees. Pike like to ambush. I always start by "combing" from open water to tight water : rake wide with a spinnerbait, then go into detail with a jerkbait or a shad.
Terrain tip: seagrass edges + light headwind = underestimated area. The wind pushes the fry, the pike follow.
I'm looking for a break + shelter + a prey crossing. Winning combo.
2) Lures & animations that make the difference
Spinnerbait: search, trigger, go everywhere
Ideal for covering distance and skimming over the weeds without getting caught. Regular animation, small pumps of the tip to break the monotony. If there are any follow-ups, stop sharply on sight then take off again: it often hits.
Jerkbait: cut, slide, provoke
When the fish follow without biting, I switch to jerkbait. Sharp twitches, pauses of 1 to 3 seconds. The bite often comes at a standstill, when the lure floats/slow-sinks in the blind spot.
Shad & paddle: insist on the bottom
Light head, upstream casting and retrieving close to the bottom on the breaks. I vary: very slow slow rolling + a few quick bursts . Cold water = winning ticket.
Three families, three missions. The rest is reading and timing.
3) Seasons, lights, and rhythms of the pike
Spring: Warmed-up shallows, edges and emerging weed beds. Summer: Early morning/late evening, heavy grayling, ventilated spots. Autumn: Pre-cold feast: I'm thickening the profiles and sweeping wider. Winter: Slow, clean, close to the bottom. Every cast counts.
Light tip: mirror surface = I change my position… or I change my vision (see polarized).
4) Glare-free vision: why I always wear my polarized lenses
Polarized lenses give me real radar: seagrass beds, drowned woods, fish tracking , microcurrents. KDEAM — not a gimmick, a benefit .
| Tint |
Terms |
What I gain from it |
| Amber / Copper |
Tinted waters, variable skies |
Reinforced contrasts, reading of silhouettes |
| Neutral gray |
Full sun, midday |
Natural colors, lasting comfort |
| Blue/Green Mirror |
Clear sky, strong reverberation |
Reduced glare, soothed surface |
I change my color like I change my lure. See my selection: Discover the KDEAM fishing selection
Without reflections, I read the post. And when I read the post, I win fish.
5) Safety & ethics: fish better, release better
- Wide landing net with rubber mesh. The fish remains in the water during preparation.
- Long pliers, triple cutter if necessary. Quick photo, wet hands, horizontal support.
- Back in the water with my head up to date, I'm waiting for the frank recovery. Respect, always.
Plus: strong leader (fluoro/steel) = fewer breakages, fewer fish with bad equipment.
6) Photo gallery of the session
Launch at dawn
Tinting water with the right polarizing glasses
Followed by sight, heart beating
no species escapes us
Also black bass!!
The moment that matters
7) Our trio: Matt, Ehden & Nino
Here, it's just the three of us, in all simplicity. We share our real outings, our small victories, and our laughs by the water. Ehden has an eye for spotting the hunts, Nino asks the questions that help you progress, and I take you with us, as if you were there.
We post our catches (and our misses... it happens 😅), easy-to-apply tips, and the gear we take everywhere. Join us:
8) Express FAQ
What size lure should I choose?
12–16 cm to go everywhere, bigger in the fall. I adapt to the profile of the prey of the moment.
Colors: natural or “flashy”?
Clear water and high sky: natural/translucent. Cloudy water or low light: visible colors (firetiger, chartreuse).
What if the pike follows without biting?
Long pause + relaunch, angle change, or instant switch to jerkbait. Sometimes just 2 m further.
