Winter pike tactics For this itinerant big-pike strategy, use a 32- to 36-inch heavy-action ice rod and a reel spooled with 14- to 17-pound-test super-line. Add a short metal leader for jigging lures, such as the largest Rapala Jigging Rap (remove the bottom treblehook) or a Williams Whitefish spoon.
What is the best bait for pike in winter?
Some of the best dead baits are smelt, alewives, small whitefish, chubs, and the always popular sucker. The easiest dead baits to find are suckers that are readily available at most bait shops.
What’s the best bait for big northern pike?
PIKE – Pike love spoons, especially in yellow, orange, bright red, and shiny finishes but around the 1 oz. size. Many people mistakenly try MUSKY lures but pike – in most instances – prefer much smaller baits than muskies.
What is the best depth to catch a pike in?
Most of these fish are caught in shallow water. Big pike, however, go deep. Many times they are in water 15 feet deep or deeper. At these times, a big deep running lure is needed.
What temperature are pike most active?
After spawning, a period of heavy activity begins. Pike stay shallow, following forage. Optimal metabolism temperature is around 66 degrees, and they’ll feed aggressively as the waters reach this temperature.
What depth do pike like in winter?
Agreed, however, that in most prime lakes, most bigger pike come from 15 to 35 feet of water during midwinter.
Where do pike hang out in the winter?
Knowing that many of the pike’s preferred forage fish will move into deeper water during mid-winter gives you a distinct advantage. Locating structure adjacent to deep-water holes with soft bottom content usually provide the makings of a good Pike fishing spot.
What attracts pike most?
Pike are visual feeders, and tend to be attracted to bright colors. Use high-visibility colors like white, chartreuse, and bright orange. They also respond well to baits that put off lots of vibration or sound.
What color do pike see best?
Black or ghost patterns of lure baits are a great start. Pike will see a black lure against the skylight near the surface of the water more than other colours.
What color looks best on pike?
The ability of slower retrieve along with a softer underwater tone gives you the injured fish action northern pike prey upon. Best pike lure colors: Red/Black or White (sunny days), Chartreuse/Blue (cloudy days).
Where do big pike hang out?
They will stick to the back of bays where water warms up quickly with the morning sun and they have lots of weeds to hide in. The really large Northern Pike are more likely to hang around points leading into bays, narrows between islands or in river current especially later in the spring.
What time of day are pike most active?
between morning and noon
The pike’s metabolism rises and falls with the water temperature, which is why it’ll be at its most active between morning and noon, when the now stronger sun, or a mild, overcast spring day, causes the water temperature to increase.
Why can’t I catch pike?
Switch up your bait, lure, or fishing spot if you’re coming up empty. If the pike aren’t biting, it could be your fishing location or the bait that you’re using. It’s best to bring multiple forms of bait in case the pike don’t like what you cast. Try out different baits and choose the one that works best for you.
Do pike bite in cold weather?
Do Pike Bite in Cold Weather? Pike will remain active and feeding during the colder months of the year but have a harder time handling really cold weather conditions.
Do pike take lures in winter?
Surface Lures: Work better in spring and autumn when pike will hit on the surface, but they’ll still work in winter on shallow waters.
What month is best for pike fishing?
Regardless of where you fish, late May and early June is a prime time to target big pike. The majority of pike will spawn around the full moon cycle in April whether under ice or open water. By mid-May the spawn is over and the big fish look to regain all the weight they lost during the spawn process.
How do you catch pike in January?
5 Tips for Catching Pike and Pickerel this Winter
- Work Ledges. Chainsiders will gravitate toward a sharp drop from 6 to 12 feet in a 15-yard stretch.
- Fish Big Baits. Jumbo shiners and 4- to 6-inch perch or small sunfish get attention from the largest of water wolves.
- Find Weeds.
- Fish a Creek Mouth.
- Live and Let Die.
Do pike stay in the same area?
During the winter they will go to the deeper parts of the lake, where the water is a bit warmer and stay there until spring time, when the spawning starts. They will most often stay in the shallow areas until the water temperature drops again.
Is pike fishing better in winter?
During the winter months, the water temperatures drop and in turn, this slows down the metabolism of the pike. This makes the pike very lethargic and much less likely to chase a lure.
Are pike more active in the winter?
Pike can be caught throughout the year, but are most active during cold water seasons – from fall to spring. This is why they’re very popular during winter times when lakes and rivers are frozen. Since sun isn’t a factor anymore, they are active throughout the day, with small spikes during sunrise and sunset.
What is the best weather for pike fishing?
The perfect conditions for deadbaiting are sustained periods of low barometric pressure, mild temperatures, a bit of a chop on the water and a reasonable amount of cloud cover. High pressure fronts that bring bright sunny days and sharp frosts are a killer when it comes to pike action.