Alright I thought northern pike lived up north not in GA so can anyone explain this to me. I was catfishing on Lake Hartwell and my line started going out so I set the hook, thought I missed the strike and proceeded to reel in my line. I had tension on the line but thought it was just had a stick hooked. But as I got closer to shore I saw a fish on the other end and set the hook hard. and after I landed the fish he threw the hook and proceeded to flop back to the water. But a well placed boot kick sent him 10 feet upland. after that he was cooler bound. im taking it to Fish and Game to see what they think about it and if they say its rare ill probaly have it mounted.

That's a pickerel , not a pike .

its a chain pickeral.... I caught several here in FL.... flipped my wig too until I was told what they were

Chain Pickerel





Species Facts







ScienceName:
Esox niger

Other Names:
Pike, river pike, grass pike, jack, jackfish, eastern pickerel, chainsides, mud pickerel

Ideal Temp:
60 to 70

World Record:
9 lbs. 6 ounces GA

Environment:
river and lakes

Techniques:

light tackle, casting

Thanks for clearing it up for me. I'd never even heard of a Pickerel untill now. But talk about feeling stupid lol well I wonder if i should get it mounted?

I wouldn't get it mounted .Pickeral are pretty common in some of our southern states and counties. I've taken one around 30 inches. They are some of the best tasting fish I've eatten but the bones are horrible. In Florida just about everyone calls them jacks. Of course they have renamed most of the species.

White or Black Crappie ....specks

Red Earred Sunfish..........shell cracker

Bluegill or Green Sunfish......................Stump knocker

Brown or yellow Bullhead Catfish...butter cat

Chain Pickeral..........Jacks

However....central Florida has some of the best fishin in the USA.

Lets get it right Chuck,bluegill ARE bluegill.Stump knockeris a different panfish.Of coarse then there are the bull bluegills.

Here in SC, we call them JACKS too.