Hey Pike Anglers!

[SusqyMusky]

Well, I think I know where they will be. There is an underwater spring coming out near the dam in about 20 ft. of water. I think the big girls will be hanging around that (IF the baitfish are around). I could be wrong though haha. I hope the combo of this cold water coming out, the rocks from the dam and the wind direction will have all the big fish in this area. The wind is usually heading toward the dam. Won't know until I try it, but I'll be flying blind because my fish finder is broke

Years ago we use to catch pike down along the right shore facing the dam brest. It had weeds down along there. We were fishing for LM bass with rubber worms carolina rigged.

The last pike of any size I saw caught there was thru the ice pretty much straight accross from the ramp.

[NateFollmer]

Thanks Nine Miler - PM sent!

Susqy - I think I know where you're talking about. Is it near that little area of cliff? I know exactly why you caught that pike off the launch, you were probably close to the creek channel (or whats left of it). I'm going to try first where the creek enters (the one you across when you come in), then I'm going to move down and parallel the dam and make my way back up to the launch on the right side (launch side). Going to try some spoon trolling while we move from spot to spot too.

[NateFollmer]

Terrible trip! First, we got there late and only had about 2 hours of sunlight left. As I was getting the rods out of the back of my jeep, I bumped my makeshift hatch keeper opener (which happens to be a paddle) and I snapped my baitcaster in half! I was left with my catfish and ultralight rods. Got out on the water, took us 30 minutes to get to the spot I wanted to fish because the creek mouth had a few people in it as it was.... Got 1 strike, and then it was too dark and we had to leave. We talked to another guy coming off the water and he said he was there all day and didnt even get any bites, so I didn't feel so bad after that Guess I need to go back again!

[J Francho]

That sucks.  I was surprised I didn't get any northerns on Sunday's outing as well. 

[NateFollmer]

I saw a few little guys, I think they were pike because they claim theres no pickerel in there (water was pretty muddy, but they had that pike shape, I assume they were about a foot - foot and a half long). I was going to make that my last trip with the boat, but I'm not satisfied! I'm replacing my busted rod and going back for revenge! muahahahaha!

[webertime]

Nemire Red Ripper Spoons and Spin Ripper Spinnerbaits.

Trust me on this... a 28lb Northern made me a believer.  They kill Small and Largemouth as well.

Duel Flukes (Donkey rig) and the Rage Shad both produced good northerns for me this year (8-13lbs).  The 13 came out of a little pond (58 acres) after a good rain, right where a creek drains into it.  The Rage Shad looked like it was put through a paper shreder. 

[NateFollmer]

I tried a rage shad on a swim jig. I love those things. I just hate throwing jigs on spinning gear so I didn't use it very long on Sat.

[BassChaser57]

I love fishing for Northerns!

My bait selections would be:

1) Inline Spinner (Mepps Black Fury #5)

2) Large Jerkbait (LC Pointer 128)

3) Spoon (Syclops #2 / #3)

4) Crankbait (SK #5 in Sexy Shad)

5) Spinnerbait (match the hatch)

6) Chatterbait with Large Minnow plastic (such as a Super Fluke)

I bagged my biggest Pike of the year on the Strike King crank but I caught the most on a Mepps Black Fury #5.

Happy hunting

p.s. that being said its pretty cool if you can generate a topwater hit on a Spook or Frog. Awesome strike!

This is a great list but I have had great success also on:

1. Zara Spook (clear with a blue back) on a walk the dog method. This is also my favorite to catch smallies up north.

2. 3/4 oz Daredevele in Red/White,

2A. 5 of Diamonds (red diamonds on yellow),

3. Red and white #5 Mepps inline Spinner,

4. Chartreuse Rouge with Blue back,

5. Ghost Rapala X-Rap,

6. I build inline bucktail spinners with my most

successful being back with a few strands of green

Flashabou.

7. You have to have a 3/4 oz firetiger willow leaf double spinner bait. That is great on cloudy windy days.

With these lures you will have a great trip for Northerns.

[Walking School Bus]

I've caught many pike on rapalas and rattletraps. My best is an 18 lber caught on a 3/4 oz Mag Trap that was the 46R Red Crawfish. I very seldom have a bite-off using those lures.

[Iowa Matt]

I find medium to large swimbaits like the Spro BBZ, BBZ Jr, and River 2 Sea Kong are very effective nearly any time during the open-water season.

Matt

[SusqyMusky]

Nice pike Matt.

Which one is in it's mouth?

[Iowa Matt]

Nice pike Matt.

Which one is in it's mouth?

Thats a Spro BBZ Jr in Sexy Shad pattern.  Pike have been my favorite fish my whole life and if I could ahve just one lure this one would be it.  The fast sinking one is more versatile than the slow sinking most of the time. 

Matt

[Dwight Hottle]

Iowa Matt,

Nice looking pike. Pretty coloration .

[Hamby]

Great pike!

I've never fished swimbaits for them, but i have thrown large jointed minnows with much success. Nothing bigger than mid 30 inches, but the pike and big bass will destroy a large jointed minnow early in the year. I like to use a bright green or orange that i can see well. Work it real slow right under the surface and over weeds, then give it a quick jerk and dive it down. Watch it slowly float back up, and when you see that thing disappear, set the hook!

[SusqyMusky]