Fantastic Fishing

One of the most common species of fish found in North America’s fresh and brackish water types is the Pike. They are not very particular about their environment and can live in lakes and streams amongst weeds or under rocks.

They are predators and lie in wait for their prey. They are sight hunters and are dependent on cover to hunt successfully.

Take a long piece of strong muscle, add powerful teeth to one end, give it a big appetite and a mean disposition and you have Northern Pike.

Northern Pike are at the top of the food chain in most lakes. They eat just about anything. Walleyes, trout, whitefish, Perch, Chub, Shiners, Frogs, Snakes, Birds, bugs and other Pike are all on the menu.

The pike put up a hard fight, which is what makes pike fishing such a popular recreation. Even against the most experienced fishermen, they are a rough battle, making them a popular sporting fish.

The catch is a thrill, but unfortunately they are too bony for most people within the country to eat — making them a popular catch and release species as well. Although in Europe, Pike has a long history as a favored cuisine.

Pike fishing does require some specialized tackle. Wire traces are one of those absolutes that are required for this type of fishing. Pike bite through fishing line. The main line should be at least fifteen pounds or more and the trace wire should be at least thirty pounds or more.

Pike are aggressive feeders through spring, summer and fall and continue to be caught through the ice during the winter months. Pike will take just about every kind of live and artificial bait, including very large streamer flies.

For trolling or casting try:

• spoons;
• bucktail spinners;
• crankbaits;
• topwater lures;
• spinnerbaits; and,
• buzzbaits.

Live baits include large chubs and shiners.

You should use treble or double hooks to catch pike, and the rods should have at least a two and a half pound test curve just in case. Also required for pike fishing is a net. The net should be about thirty inches round or have thirty six inch arms if it is a triangle shaped net.

The types of bait that are effective with this species are numerous. Often live bait works the best, as the pike are naturally hunter predators. Avoid using live bait that is larger than eight inches long.

It is also a good idea to stick with live bait fish that are indigenous to the area, as pike already have a taste for them. Another type of bait you could use is dead bait, preferably smelts, eel, or mackerel. Generally baits that have some blood in them will give you the best results.

Even after the pike has been reeled in, the fight is not over. As these fish are predators, they have rows of very sharp teeth that could easily rip through human fish. This is another thing that makes pike fishing a bit of a thrill. Taking caution is important, as many a fisherman has left their fishing expedition with one less finger than they started with!

Not many freshwater fish give such a fierce battle as the pike does. These fish are known as vicious carnivores, making pike fishing a popular sport among those looking to get a little more excitement from their next fishing trip.