The only freshwater fish I want to catch at this moment would be a Muskie. I have fished for 2 years for them and havent gotten one yet. My goal is to get one (I dont care what size) in the boat this year. Ive already had 2 follows, on about 35-37" and a monster 50"+ follow my lures. The 50 incher was before opener (I was using a small buzzbait, followed it up to the boat) so I didnt feel like figure 8ing to catch him. Its not as fun to catch big fish when their season hasnt started yet. It was pretty cool though. Followed it right to the boat, turned 90 degress and ran parallel to the boat. It was one of those "Woah" moments, where you crap your pants, and are shaking like crazy.
All I want to say is I hope all of you who want to catch a northern pike, catch one this year. Once you get one, your hooked for good. No pun intended ;D
Heres a little tip I learned from Pike fishing (my prefered fish):
Take any lure you want to use (anything, besides a spoon. It can be a hard plastic, spinner. It can be a top water, but thats harder to do)Then take your back hook off, so you just have a eye (for spinner baits youll have to get creative) and attach a liter to it. Then take a spoon and attach it to the other end of your liter. Cast, and watch the pike attack it.
Heres how it works:
When the pike sees the spoon "following" the front lure, it thinks it chasing it down, for food. Pike are really competitive, and they try to beat the spoon to it. They work great.