"Pike are a cold-water fish and are well-adapted to hunting effectively as the temperature falls. This also means that at times of high temperatures when the oxygen content in the water is lower, pike are at their most fragile.

Sudden changes in temperature can get the pike feeding, but they actually prefer settled periods,especially when it stays constant at about 6oC. They can move just as quickly in these low temperatures, but preyfish are not so lucky.

Carp and tench do not feed when the water is as cold as this- they are dormant and suspend in the warmest depth they can find- thus making them easy prey for large pike."

Nige Williams: Angling Times 6th January 2004