| Pike, also known as the great northern pike and | | | | more then 30 inches in length, frequent shallow |
| various other names, are considered an exciting | | | | weeds in the spring but as the water |
| game fish due to their aggressive fight. They | | | | temperatures rise, move to deeper cooler water |
| vary in color from dark green to olive tones, and | | | | Best fishing times for pike are early morning and |
| brown with gold flecks. Their torso exhibits | | | | under heavily overcast weather and in light to |
| yellowish to whitish markings shaped similar to a | | | | moderate chop water. Peak water temperature |
| kidney bean with their underbelly being white or | | | | for pike feeding is 65 degrees so check water |
| creamed colored. Pike have a duckbilled jaw with | | | | temperatures prior to fishing. |
| long sharp teeth. Pike are found mostly in the | | | | Pike fishing outfits must be tough yet light so it |
| northern regions of the world in cold waters. | | | | does not wear you out when you are undertaking |
| Pike spawn before shortly before fall in water | | | | the battle of pulling a pike in. Longer rods are |
| temperatures ranging from 40 to 45 degrees. | | | | better because of casting accuracy and control on |
| Spawning last between 5 to 10 days. This is | | | | the retrieve. They also make deeper figure eights |
| important to pike anglers because pike feed | | | | (moving lure or bait in a figure eight pattern). With |
| heavily several days prior to spawning and are | | | | longer rods, you have more hook setting power |
| quick to bite, but once spawning begins, they do | | | | and better control once hooked. |
| not bite again until after spawning is over. | | | | The tip of your rod should be made of silicone |
| Pike enjoy murky lakes and rivers which can | | | | carbide or carboloy to avoid grooves setting in |
| make it challenging to an angler when pike fishing. | | | | and frayed lines. |
| They have extremely adapted senses, and even | | | | Baitcasting gear is preferred over spinning gear |
| when blind have no problem locating food. The | | | | due to durability. A smooth drag is essential; pike |
| adult pike diet consists of mainly other fish. Adult | | | | have habit of making fast powerful runs and the |
| pike will eat other fish from one-fourth to one-half | | | | smoother the drag, better chances of securing |
| their own length and up to 20% of their own | | | | the pike. Common baits used in pike fishing are |
| weight. Other known foods pike will eat are frogs | | | | bucktails, spinner baits, spoons, crank bait, |
| and crayfish but they prefer soft-finned fish. | | | | vibrating plugs, minnow, trolling plugs, jerkbait, flies, |
| Suckers make excellent natural bait. | | | | and natural bait. |
| Pike are most active during daylight hours. If the | | | | Pike fishing is all about timing, water temperatures, |
| water is clear they will sometimes feed into the | | | | location, bait, and equipment. Blending these key |
| night and go on feeding binges from late fall to | | | | tips will bring you many hours of enjoyable pike |
| early winter. Small pike spend the majority of | | | | fishing. |
| their time in shallow weedy areas, bigger pike, | | | | |