Pike size [Hammer Handle]

[WalleyeSlayer21]

Whats your definition of a hammer handle? (How many inches) under 20 inches... I dont know i hear people use the term but dont know what it is considered as.. Thanks

[Mid-Lake Rock]

It depends on the lake and the angler. Generally, I consider a handle (snot rocket) 24" or smaller. They are great tablefare. I can get some nice fillets off an 18" pike. Better than walleye in my book.

[live4chrome]

Under 24" and the only size that ever might go home with me. Those bigger ones are to important to the food chain to kill

[Stick500]

what's like trying to clean a little pike with the Y bones?

you guys must have some tricks

[leechlake]

If we ever keep them I lay it on cutting board in the same position it would be in if it were swimming and cut from the gills back at the top of the fish and then turn fish on side and take the two tail portions.

[20lbSloughShark]

For sure anything under about 20" is. Really it comes down to how skinny they are. I've caught some 26" that were as skinny as a hammer handle, hence the name. Its not hard at all to clean small pike. Its no more difficult than filleting a 20" walleye.

[FshBloodRiverMud]

I term any pike under 26" hammer handles.

Similar to "dink":

any crappie under 9"

sunfish under 7"

perch under 8"

Channels under 20"

Sturgeon under 45" are "Shakers"

If someone ask me if i caught anything of any size?...all of the above would be a "NO!"

Unless it's sturgeon season...Then every fish under 10# is a dink and sturgeon under 20# are shakers!

[delmuts]

Stick. Do a search on You Tube on filleting pike into five pcs. Not hard at all. Works on all sizes of pike.

[Spike76]

Hammer handle is 16 inches. Carpenters and siders use their hammers to find the next stud after they find one. Harder to see where the studs are because of house wrap.