New England Pike Fishing?

[Smokinal]

My friend's son wants to go pike fishing this year so I told him I'd be happy to take him out. I know some really great pike water (used to be really great bass water until they moved in). Anyway, is there a time of year that's slow pike fishing? Better pike fishing? I've never targeted them and I'd really like to get him on a good bite.

We are in Maine btw. I plan on throwing some white spinnrebaits, white flukes, chatterbaits, topwater early etc...

Any tips are much appreciated.

[Dwight Hottle]

Best time I have found for pike fishing is in the spring shortly after ice out. Pike spawn under the ice or right at ice out time. So you would be fishing post spawn during or after their recovery from spawn. You can find them shallow at that time best around emerging weedbeds. Best baits are inline spinners like blue fox vibrax  in firetiger color #5 or #6. Inline spinners work better than bass style spinnerbaits from my experience. Spoons, jerkbaits , plastic swimbaits, glide baits & jigs will all work very well. Your baits mentioned will all work but topwater may be slow during cold water periods. Bass tackle is fine. Just use a light weight steel or titanium leader or heavy floro leader. You can get tieable leader spools & make your own with a swivel, leader material &  coastlockor crosslock snap.

If you wait once the water gets warm over 60-65 the bigger pike will go deep seeking colder water. The small pike will still be shallow. Hope that helps you. Don't forget long nose pliers & a jaw spreader to make unhooking easier or use a boga.

[A-Jay]

Best time I have found for pike fishing is in the spring shortly after ice out. Pike spawn under the ice or right at ice out time. So you would be fishing post spawn during or after their recovery from spawn. You can find them shallow at that time best around emerging weedbeds. Best baits are inline spinners like blue fox vibrax  in firetiger color #5 or #6. Inline spinners work better than bass style spinnerbaits from my experience. Spoons, jerkbaits , plastic swimbaits, glide baits & jigs will all work very well. Your baits mentioned will all work but topwater may be slow during cold water periods. Bass tackle is fine. Just use a light weight steel or titanium leader or heavy floro leader. You can get tieable leader spools & make your own with a swivel, leader material &  coastlockor crosslock snap.

If you wait once the water gets warm over 60-65 the bigger pike will go deep seeking colder water. The small pike will still be shallow. Hope that helps you. Don't forget long nose pliers & a jaw spreader to make unhooking easier or use a boga.

 

Nicely Done Sir.

 

A-Jay

[Smokinal]

Very well indeed! I feel more confident already. I think we will go a few weeks after ice out and I'll post some pics.

Thank you.

[Dogmatic]

I always like sight fishing for pike and musky early season when they move shallow along weed lines. Just look for the "logs" in the weeds. Nothing more intense then trying to place the perfect cast, whether with a fly or conventional bait, to incite that toothy critter to bite.

[Shanes7614]

The best part is the follow and the wake behind them!!!! The point when your about to **** yourself. Lol. Inline spinners along weed lines always did the trick for me.

[Mainebass1984]

Right now is an excellent time to fish for Pike. Although you would be ice fishing... not sure that is your style. The Pike are shallow, active, and very very fat. It is fast action with a lot of fish 8-10 lbs and over.

 

[Smokinal]

I'd love to get him on one like that beast!^^

[fish stick]

Nice catch