What is the best way to unhook a pike ?

[popper]

The easiest way is to let your buddy do it.

[Mr.J.]

OK I'll jump in

It's simple

Big net

Keep the fish in the net and in the water

Most times needle nose pliers will work but always keep a good set of bolt cutters and cut the hook if there is any possibilty romoving the hook will hurt the fish.

Should you decide to try keeping the fish in the net and in the water you'll notice right away that when you release the fish 95% of the time it's gone as soon as it hits the water.

My 2 cents

[sparky]

The much-maligned lip gripper can be a pike's best friend, IF it's used properly. It provides a secure grip, keeps the fish still, and keeps the pike from clamping its jaws shut on your bait. You can still use a gag, but you probably won't need to.
I usually fish from a kayak, and I keep my Berkely grabber locked on the deck rigging. When I catch a toothy critter, I use the grabber on the lower jaw, slide the fish up on the deck, and quickly release it with long-nosed pliers, all without squeezing or even touching the fish's body.
Yeah, some stupid TV hosts dangle big fish by their jaws using Boga-type grippers. But that doesn't mean you have to. If you support the fish's body or release it in the water or a cradle, the lip gripper does no harm. In fact, it prevents a lot of harm to fish.

[almontefisher]

Sparky: You said this.....slide the fish up on the deck, and quickly release it with long-nosed pliers, ....Why would you give the fish a pair of pliers????