43 Pound Monster Pike Caught! #fishing #shorts #fish #pike

Here's the **detailed breakdown** of the reported **43 lb pike catch**, formatted with expert context and comparisons:

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### **43 lb Northern Pike Catch Report**
- **Weight:** **19.5 kg (43 lb)** *(Unconfirmed by IGFA; likely a personal/locale record)*
- **Location:** *Not specified* (Prime giants come from Canada, Europe, or Alaska)
- **Fishing Method:** Likely **heavy spinning/casting gear** (large swimbaits or live bait)
- **Significance:** A **lifetime catch**—only **~9 lbs shy** of the all-tackle world record.

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### **How This Pike Stacks Up**
1. **IGFA Records:**
- **All-Tackle Record:** 25 kg (55 lb 1 oz) – *Germany, 1986* (Lothar Louis)
- **50 lb Line Class Record:** 21.5 kg (47 lb 6 oz) – *Great Slave Lake, Canada*
- **This 43 lb pike** would rank among the **top 1% ever caught** but falls short of official records.

2. **Regional Trophy Thresholds:**
- **North America:** 30+ lbs = "trophy"; 40+ = "monster" (rare).
- **Europe:** 20+ lbs = exceptional (due to higher fishing pressure).

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### **Likely Fishing Scenario**
- **Lure/Bait:** Oversized jerkbait, live suckers, or dead bait on quick-strike rigs.
- **Habitat:** Deep weed edges or river mouths in **early spring/late fall**.
- **Fight Time:** ~10-20 minutes (pike surge hard but lack endurance).

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### **Top Locations for 40+ lb Pike**
1. **Great Slave Lake, Canada** – *Current hotspot for 45+ lb giants*.
2. **Lake of the Woods, MN/Ontario** – *Consistent 30-40 lb fish*.
3. **Remote Siberian Lakes** – *Untapped potential for record-breakers*.
4. **Ireland/UK** – *Surprise giants in reservoirs* (e.g., Lough Derg).

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### **Why This Catch Matters**
- **Rarity:** Fewer than **10 pike over 40 lbs** are caught globally each year.
- **Biology:** Such giants are usually **20+ years old** and female.
- **Release Importance:** Critical for genetics—most trophy hunters practice CPR (*Catch-Photo-Release*).

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### **Tips to Target Monster Pike**
- **Gear:** 50-80 lb braid with wire leader (their teeth shred fluoro).
- **Season:** Target **post-spawn (April-May)** or **fall feed-up (Sept-Oct)**.
- **Lures:** 10"+ glide baits, muskie-sized bucktails, or suspended dead bait.

**Think you’ve hooked a record?**
1. **Weigh on certified scales** with witnesses.
2. **Photograph clearly** with measurement tape.
3. **Submit to IGFA** for verification.

Need help planning a pike expedition? Ask away! ????