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Question 4

Question:

"Why do pike's gums swell up and why does the bite turn off when this happens to them. I still seem to catch a few but the action is really slow until their gums start to recede?" writes Nick.

Answer:

Firstly, it is a myth that pike shed their teeth all at once around the peak heat times of the season such as August. Pike do not shed their teeth all at once. Rather they shed them as they lose them, and it has been suggested that they are more susceptible to losing them in the warmer summer temperatures. The jaws, roof of the mouth, tongue, and gill rakers are all armed with numerous sharp teeth, that are constantly being replaced. It is the replacement of the gum-embedded teeth that is causing the swelling.

Temperature plays a huge role in the feeding of these fish. Most people don't even realize how big a role it plays. Pike can literally stop feeding in the summer due to warmer temperatures and often do. Only the smaller pike will be caught in warmer temperatures, generally speaking.

If the fish are replacing numerous teeth at once and there is significant swelling, this adversely affects their feeding habits.

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