Post by bassrod2 - TJ on Mar 12, 2006 22:28:38 GMT -5
Fishing Tips for Northern Pike
As everyone knows, the Northern Pike is a tremendous fighter, maybe the best there is "pound for pound". If you want action and excitement, fish for Northern Pike! Northern Pike can be stubborn at times, but when they are ready to eat, watch out! And remember they like to eat and often!
Northern Pike are sight feeders so colourful lures often work the best. A wire leader is a must. Although most spinners, jerk baits, jointed plugs and spoons will work, the most effective lure year after year, time after time is the Len Thompson yellow/red five of diamonds spoon #2, it is just incredible how this lure works.
As far as rod and reel weight is concerned, there is a trade off. With a lighter outfit the challenge and/or fun is increased but so is fish kill, so a medium weight rig is suggested. Barbless and/or single hook lures a must, you will loose some fish but what the heck the action will be more than enough, don't be greedy.
When you are in Saskatchewan's "far north" and it is the right time of year, you will want to fish for Big Northerns when they come into the shallow sandy bays to sun themselves in the warm water, it really is a blast! They will be literally lying there in 2-3 feet of warm water like logs. Enter the bay very slowly and quietly, put on a Len Thompson and place the cast in front of his snout and get ready. Or you may want to get out of the boat with your flyrod and stalk them like bonefish.
Another fun time way up north is fishing for Northern Pike with a ultra lite outfit or flyrod in the fast flowing rivers where Pike are laying in wait for a Arctic Grayling to make a mistake.
Arctic Grayling have one very important defence system and that is fast water. Grayling are strong swimmers and handle fast water better than any other fish. They are comparatively safe in fast water, but they have to come out once in a while and that is when the Northern Pike will strike.
There is no bigger thrill than a big Northern Pike on ultralite, in fast flowing water! Even a 6-10 pounder will make your day!
Then there is top water fishing for Northern Pike in shallow water. Cast and retreive lure in slow jerking manner, you may not see the Pike until you see a swirl behind the lure and then takes it with a charge. Or it may be a 100 foot follow in and then boom! two feet from the boat.
Remember Northern Pike are at their biggest in late summer/fall and there can be quite a difference in size, same fish. Another thing to take into consideration and you have likely heard it, "big lure, big fish"
As everyone knows, the Northern Pike is a tremendous fighter, maybe the best there is "pound for pound". If you want action and excitement, fish for Northern Pike! Northern Pike can be stubborn at times, but when they are ready to eat, watch out! And remember they like to eat and often!
Northern Pike are sight feeders so colourful lures often work the best. A wire leader is a must. Although most spinners, jerk baits, jointed plugs and spoons will work, the most effective lure year after year, time after time is the Len Thompson yellow/red five of diamonds spoon #2, it is just incredible how this lure works.
As far as rod and reel weight is concerned, there is a trade off. With a lighter outfit the challenge and/or fun is increased but so is fish kill, so a medium weight rig is suggested. Barbless and/or single hook lures a must, you will loose some fish but what the heck the action will be more than enough, don't be greedy.
When you are in Saskatchewan's "far north" and it is the right time of year, you will want to fish for Big Northerns when they come into the shallow sandy bays to sun themselves in the warm water, it really is a blast! They will be literally lying there in 2-3 feet of warm water like logs. Enter the bay very slowly and quietly, put on a Len Thompson and place the cast in front of his snout and get ready. Or you may want to get out of the boat with your flyrod and stalk them like bonefish.
Another fun time way up north is fishing for Northern Pike with a ultra lite outfit or flyrod in the fast flowing rivers where Pike are laying in wait for a Arctic Grayling to make a mistake.
Arctic Grayling have one very important defence system and that is fast water. Grayling are strong swimmers and handle fast water better than any other fish. They are comparatively safe in fast water, but they have to come out once in a while and that is when the Northern Pike will strike.
There is no bigger thrill than a big Northern Pike on ultralite, in fast flowing water! Even a 6-10 pounder will make your day!
Then there is top water fishing for Northern Pike in shallow water. Cast and retreive lure in slow jerking manner, you may not see the Pike until you see a swirl behind the lure and then takes it with a charge. Or it may be a 100 foot follow in and then boom! two feet from the boat.
Remember Northern Pike are at their biggest in late summer/fall and there can be quite a difference in size, same fish. Another thing to take into consideration and you have likely heard it, "big lure, big fish"