Over recent weeks there has been an increasing number of issues with the trolling of lures from motor boats within the Broads.

This raises several issues, firstly its illegal within the Broads and subject to a Broad Bye-Law enforceable by the Authority rangers.

Secondly the use of any Lure or treble hooks needs to consider other water users and wildlife. These are nasty if they get embedded into skin and often require a visit to A&E to remove. With the increase of paddle boarders and free swimmers within the Broads, it’s another reason why this style of fishing should not take place.

Predatory fish such as pike and in some respect perch have extremely sharp teeth. Fishing for them requires specific tackle such as line with a breaking strain more than 15lb and a wire trace to avoid the teeth cutting the line. Whilst an appropriate landing net along with forceps and unhooking mat are all tools needed to successfully catch and release such fish.

Lastly this brings us to the Pike itself. It’s a very fragile fish and in warm weather particularly in water temperatures greater than 21 degrees is highly likely not to survive any catch and release.

In deep reservoirs and rivers water temperatures remain fairly stable with only the surface layers warming. Whilst in the shallow waters like the Broads, the whole water column rises.

This is why the Pike Anglers Club launched a campaign to make anglers aware of this and the damage it can cause.

We ask all Broads users take notice of both the legal and ecological issues this type of fishing can have on both people and the fish themselves.

Broads Angling Services Group August 2021