Had this little guy jump in the kayak last week while fishing Palestine. I've never caught one on rod there and was wondering if anyone else had.

That's a logperch.

nope, check the mouth. definately pickerel, especially around east Tx.

Interesting, Palestine you say? If there is some that small must be bigger ones! First I have ever heard for Palestine! Definitely a pickerel, Hawkins lake is full of them!

Lake Hawkins has them.

I caught one at Caddo a couple of years ago, beautiful fish.

Baby Texas Musky!

Winter Pickerel fishing is awsome they like the cold water. When they get above 5 lbs wow what a fight. I call them fresh water barracuda never dissappointed with catching them.

That is a very nice Pickerel! I have caught a lot of them here in LA. They seem to like clear, grassy lakes. Do you have many Choupique (Grinnel, Bowfin, Mudfish) in TX? They seem to like muddier water and put up a great fight and will wreck a spinnerbait worse than anything I have ever seen. Just wondering if you have many.

Caught many of them on the Pines while Bass Fishing. One thing we learned then was if the Chain Pickerel were in and active on the bass spot then its time to move. Interesting fish though!

Do you eat them?

Get one big enough to clean and cut the Y bones out they're good.

Lake Hawkins has these you say?
A Chain Pickeral...
I've caught and eaten their larger cousin, the Northern Pike. Now to start planning a trip to Hawkins for this coming winter.

Referencing these to a barracuda is how I've described the Northern Pike

Caught a ton of them in the rivers and lakes growing up in MD. The love anything chartreuse, and love blue fox minnow spins (gold) or a similar bait. Very aggressive and fun to catch.