Zander fishi... eh Pike fishing!

It's only been a few months since I welcomed Jouke with his two sons Tibbe and Jilles on the boat. The last time we had a really good zander session but this time they were hoping for pike. Unfortunately I have to disappoint them as pike fishing is so slow lately that I strongly recommend that we target zander instead. They quickly agree because they want to catch fish in the first place.

And is doesn't take long for Jouke to catch, as predicted, the first zander. No monster, but of course very nice to have a fish in the boat.

After this first fish we all have a few bites that we miss, but then it's Tibbe who hooks a nice one near the boat. And it's immediately clear that it's a pike. Although we only have a FC leader we manage to land the fish.

We continue fishing and soon it's Tibbe who once again hooks a fish. And again it's a pike but a lot bigger this time. The fish is fighting strong and before I can turn off the Minn Kota the line is tangled up in the e-motor. That's a pity! We take out the propellor and after a few minutes I manage to get the line out. And what do you know... the fish is still on and comes to the surface. A broad back of a big pike is shown to us and then the pike takes an enormous run. The reel screams and then the braided line breaks. It most likely got damaged when it was tangled up in the Minn Kota.

We don't let this huge disappointment get to us and keep on casting. And it doesn't take long for Jouke to hook another fish. And what do you know.... again it's a pike and again it's a big one. This time everything goes as planned and we land this fantastic fish of 101cm.

And Jouke is on a winning streak but within 10 minutes he takes another fish... a very nice zander.

Fantastic fishing until now, but Jilles has a different opinion. He had several bites, but all fish managed to escape. We start looking for zander, we do find them and it's Jilles who catches them now. First a small one.

But then a good size zander.

And the brothers both catch a some more zander.

And then, apparently, it's pike time again...

First Tibbe who obviously has a big pike on the line... again. Of course, this time he doesn't give the fish any opportunity to reach the Minn Kota and the fluor carbon holds once more, so now we land the fish. A strong 93 cm pike.

The day is coming to an end and we decide to fish the last 30 minutes at a spot we fished before and where we had several bites to see if we can catch a few final zanders.

And it's Jilles who hooks the first final zander, but it's no zander at all. Finally he hooks his so much wanted pike. A beautiful and strong 80+ croc.

And when we think the day is over, it's Jouke who really catches the last fish of the day on his last cast. And of course, again it's a pike..... they're just all over today. Unbelievable.

Also want to fish for zander (and pike) on Hollands Diep? Book your trip right now.