The colour of winter

Have been trying the usual technique for snapper with lots of bycatch and a few under size. Out today the the same plan. Caught a few pike with their aroma attracting some company

Then I hooked a better fish. One of the visitors seemed to recognize what was happening and moved in for the steal. Shooed it away with the paddle and wasted little time getting it in the hatch. Around a kilo and a half

Other line had picked up another pike which came up dead. Was quickly snaffled