Anything alive... big shiner, sucker, rat, mouse, duckling
Hi princecraft, I would recommend using a wire leader anytime you are fishing for pike, those toothy critters can cut fishing lines like a hot knife through butter. They are not usually line shy unless heavily pressured, if you find a leader reduces bites, you may try a leader made from heavy fire line,but, still risk a bite off. There are also titanium leader but they are very pricey. Good luck this fall WW
A "go - to " selection? Len thompson spoons 5 of diamonds in yellow and red, asst. sizes in red and white, black and white or the green and black frog pattern for overcast days and the Original Floating Rapala. You can put an original Rap as deep or shallow as you want with line weights but it's got to be the best top water lure around. (No bass here so I don't know about that, but for pike, yes, maybe take off some of the hooks, though.)
It really depends on the time of year. In the spring, I like suspending jerkbaits like huskyjerks and Smithwick Rogues, and soft plastic jerkbaits. In the summer smaller swimbaits like rapalas, spinnerbaits, and Mepps bucktail spinners work. In the fall I like BIG spinners, 10" Fin-S fish soft jerkbaits (great around boats and docks), and big spoons (red/white daredevil, 5 o'Dimonds).For colors....firetiger, perch, white and silver, silver/black, hot orange/Chart.