Took my wife out on the St. Joe River looking for her first pike. After 3 hours of casting she was getting a little tired of no bites. I kept telling her we were looking for a big fish and be patient. She just wanted any size for her first pike, but we were not getting any bites at all. I decided i needed to change up her lure and did it pay off! It wasnt 5 minutes after i put on a mepps #3 long white with silver blades and i heard the splash, but didnt see the hit. From the sound of it i knew she had a good one. After 4-5 minutes of me coaching her i netted the her first pike. A 36inch 10lb river pike. Not bad for her first pike. Caught on a Cabelas Classic MH 6ft 6in with a shimano slade 4000, 14lb fireline crystal with 30lb leader.

Nice fish !!!!!!!!!!!! I'll bet she was excited.

She was shaking for a couple of minutes after she landed it. The biggest fish she had ever caught before that was about a 17 inch bass, maybe 3lbs or so. So yes, it was quite intense for her and pretty cool for me too.

That's an awesome experience you got to share with your wife. Great fish.

That's a great start!  That pike looks chunky, did you weigh her?  Looks every bit of 12 lbs.

That is a great pic, looks to be a mix of excitement and absolute terror.   ;D

Congrats.

Great fish! What kind of leader was it? Flouro?

Congratulations to your wife and nice job to you ~ the husband / Pike Guide.

A-Jay

Nicely done!

12inch eagle claw 30lb wire leaders, so far no failures. But i have not really hooked the monster i have been looking for. Fish weighed 10lbs even.

Outstanding!  I know my wife would be hooked if I could get her on a fish like that. 

my wife would have freaked and threw her rod down.

thats a nice fish!

Jumpin' Jehosephats!  What a way to get her started!  Good fish!