Suggested Rods
| Suggested Reels |
Suggested Lures
Tackle Tips
One of the biggest questions among
pike enthusiasts is what is the best type of lure.
The answer is spoons, yes spoons are the most productive way to
consistently catch pike. If I was to choose one spoon it would no
doubt be the Len Thompson Five-O-Diamonds. This bait is only
3-1/2 inches long and is about the easiest bait to throw on the
planet. This bait can be fished by any Angler at any age or level
and can be used on both spinning or bait casting tackle. I could
bring a whole arsenal of exotic pike and musky baits and the guy
next to me could have 3 or 4 Len Thompsons stuck in his favorite
fishing hat and flat out smoke me on both size and numbers. Then
I will walk away scratching my head saying “How did that happen?”
Well I stopped asking myself that question years ago. Of all the
hardcore pike Anglers I have fished with each one has at least one
rod rigged with his favorite spoon and a good majority will be
sporting old LT.
Pike Tactics
When I come into
a bay the first thing I try to do is locate the spots that may
hold big fish. But one of the most productive and overlooked
areas is out in front of the bay. Before you blast to the back,
give this area a little of your time. This area is where I have
stuck some real monsters
( see picture at bottom of page)
Many of your
large predators hang out here. When your at the very top of the
food chain you don't have to travel very far to get a meal. These
fish are here for a reason and it's not a church social. Not only
do these areas hold forage, these areas are rocky and warm easily.
Another major factor, these areas are close to their comfort zone
"Deep Water".
Try making long
casts with your favorite spoon. Stay a couple hundred yards off
shore. Here are a few of my favorites; Len T, Crocodile, and
Lucky Strike just to name a few. With these baits you can cast
them a mile which allows you to cover more water and not spook the
fish. I especially like spoons with a little chop or even better,
a wind blown bay. Boat positioning is key when working down wind
and can easily hamper your production if not done properly. It
takes a guide who knows what he's doing along with good
communication between guide and fishermen. There isn't a bay I
enter without fishing the mouth going in and going out "Period".
It is a good idea to discuss a mutual game plan before going on
the water.
Another technique
I really like is casting jerk baits into 3-4 feet of water with a
stiff action jerk rod. Try a 9" Suick (weighted) or a 8" Bobbie
Bait (weighted), work the bait with hard downward left to right
pulls. This bait must be in tune to work properly. Push down the
metal fin slightly but don't over-tune. Once you have it right you
can have a pig kind of a day. You can cast these baits for a long
time and never see any action, but take it from me, they catch
real big fish.
(see photo)
During low light
conditions or calm water this is another approach I use. Staying
out from shore about 200 yards, try throwing your favorite top
water bait into 2-3 feet of water and work it all the way back to
the boat. I prefer faster moving baits in these areas like walking
baits, prop baits and buzzers. Remember this tip even if you
already know, it's a good reminder because it's so easy to do. If
you see a wake or boil close to your bait do not slow down your
retrieve. Big fish seem to loose their interest when you do. This
is one of the most common mistakes made by many anglers and I have
done it enough to make me cry. For heavy tackle users, try a
Dancin' Raider, Top Raider or Jackpot.
Look for more
tactics on our website next month!
