[NorthJerzyG]

Nice fish!!! Looks like a great way to break in the new yak!!! On a side note........

"that's the proper way to handle a pike, way to go brother! I hate when people grab them by their gills."

According to In-Fishermans Doug Stange in their May 2012 issue in an article titled Prepared to Release,

"You need a good set of long-handled long nose pliers and optional jaw spreaders. Slide your hand under the gill cover, get a good grip on the lower jaw, and work on the lure with the pliers in your other hand. Don't be scared to work through the gills with the pliers to get at deep hooks or even hooks that are actually in the gill. The gills are a vulnerable point point for the fish but not so fragile that you can't touch them. Also, just because a hook is in them doesn't mean the fish won't survive as long as you release them quickly. Only the smallest percentage aren't releasable when handled correctly. This includes supporting their body when holding them horizontally for a photo and never holding them vertically for more than a moment."

Some parts of this article came as a surprise to me. I still avoid contact with the gills when handling them, but I think holding the jaw may be less intrusive than the lip grippers.