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Net explodes as angler tries to land monster pike

by Freddie Sandford |

Published on12th December 2025 at 11.47am

As the seasons turn, Adam Riches often spends time targeting predators before the rivers have had a good flush through, and lately he’s been targeting pike on a Midlands stillwater.

Fishing a legered smelt to a drop-off 60yds out, he began his session by landing a few small pike early in the morning. Then, at 10am, he received another take and set the hooks into what he expected to be another little one.

However, when his strike was met with solid resistance, Adam immediately knew that he’d hooked something far more substantial, with the fish going on to give a fantastic account of itself.

Drama then unfolded as, when he went to net his prize, the spreader block on his landing net ‘exploded’! Thankfully a mate of his, who was fishing just down the bank, was able to come and help land the fish.

The impressive specimen beats Adam’s previous pike PB by over 3lb.

TAKE A SELECTION OF THESE DEADBAITS WITH YOU AND THE PIKE WON'T BE FAR BEHIND!!

The net exploding pike!

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