When it comes to fishing for pike, there are many important things to know. These fish, by nature, are not as easy to fish for as some other species that anglers enjoy fishing for. This is why certain techniques and tactics are going to be important. The type of bait you choose will be very important to catching pike, as well as when and how you use it.
If you have never been fishing for pike before, it will pay off to do some research and learn some more about it before you head out to the waters. First, live bait is considered the best to use for pike and the best types are herring, mackerel, trout, eel and sardines. Fresh, live bait will always get you the best results but sometimes pike will strike at dead bait.
If your bait started out alive when you headed out to start fishing but dies along the way, there is still a chance you can get results from using it so don’t throw it out.
Minnows and leeches make the best bait for northern pike. You do not want to use a bobber set up as you want to attract the fish’s attention by using a fast movement. Cast out into the edge of the weed beds and reel the bait in quickly. The pike love to chase their food and the quick movement of the bait does the trick in this situation. Trolling is also a great way to get the attention of the pike. Just make sure you are trolling near the weeds.
Using Lures with Pike
When pike fishing with lures, there are some important things to consider such as the colors of the lures, the type of waters you are fishing in and how clear the water is as well as the time of day that you are fishing in. Pike often lie just under the surface of the water soaking up the sun and they will wait for prey to come along to them, making it easier for them to snatch up a meal. This could be the opportunity you want to take advantage of when fishing.
Use lures that look like minnows if you do not want to mess with the actual baits. These offer the same action as the real deal and can mimic the action that you would get from live minnows. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. You may want to set out a few lines with different sizes and at different depths to find the depth that the pike are located at. Once you find them, adjust all of your lines at the same depth because there is more than one in the area even if they are not considered to be school fish. They tend to be located at the same depth as a group even if the fish spread out with yards between each one.
When to Fish for Pike
The when of fishing for pike is just as important as the bait and equipment that you choose to use in most cases. This is because pike are particular fish that come out at certain times more than others and to be sure you get what you came for, you want to choose the time properly. The prime time for pike is when the temperature of the water is about 65 degrees. Depending on the season and the time of day, this can vary.
Fishing reports in your area can help you determine what the water temperatures are going to be like for the day you plan to fish. This is just another part of planning out your fishing trip for pike so that you can be more successful.
How to Fish for Pike
When it comes to how to fish for pike, you sometimes need to experiment a little before you get it just right. Plan to spend time trying different things when you head out. You should also expect that the pike might play with your bait a little before taking a full bite and getting hooked. This is why you need a tough line that can hold up to this. Be gentle and don’t be in too big of a rush to try to reel in or you might miss it when the pike is just nibbling. If you get a big pike on and then notice that you lose him, try to be patient and just wait. He will come back again.
Pike can be some of the most challenging fish to fish for so the more you learn about it, the better prepared you will be. Some anglers find that with experience, they learn the tricks to catching pike more and more. Each time you head out to fish for this challenging species, you will feel more confident regarding what works and what doesn’t.