spring pike

[jtk2]

just got a decent boat and the ice is just about gone. want to target some pike soon. what would u guys suggest for lures in early spring for pike? im assuming the pike will be shallow and getting ready to spawn. any tips or lure suggestions are apprieciated. thanks guys.

[DAN60]

If you are in Mich better check pike season dates.

[jtk2]

im in mass we have no closed dates. still prob need a a couple more weekends of working on the boat before its ready anyway. just looking for some tips.

[Zoo Angler]

I would say a 5 or 6" spoon that has a pattern of whatever baitfish that is in that body of water. I know this isn't a lure but i am going to try it this season while I'm casting lures and cranks. Use a dead smelt on a quick strike dangling from a slip bobber(the wave action jigs it for you). I guess you could put a lure for ice fishing them on there too if you wanted since it's a vertical presentation.

[mroy44]

Id say a spinner bait or a 2 ft diving jerk bait.  But what ever you have as long as its a big minnow immatation, cause they will bite just about anything!

[royjulius]

I throw either a Lucky Craft Pointer 100 (expensive, but awesome) or a Husky Jerk HJ14 on some good braid with a 6'6" medium heavy rod. Jerks in cold water can't be beat IMO.

[Captain1978]

Just can't beat a stickbait.

[jtk2]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Hopefully my new reel will come in this week and I can get out this weekend and give it a shot. Been waiting 2 weeks for it ..... Shimano Calcutta 401 te, can't come soon enough.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Ice out in Maine can be quite tricky at time when fishing for pike. There often in water you'd never think they would be. I've caught them in 1' of water before. Some days they'll hit a moving bait, like a spinnerbait, in-line spinner or crankbait. Some day's they want a slow moving jerk bait, or soft plastic. I always start with a spinnerbait or inline spinner and adjust from there.

[Water Wolf]

In the opening season I like to have my baits or lures a bit smaller, similar to the small minnows, leeches, frogs and other little food items around.

I like 3-4 baits rubber baits, like single or double curly tail grubs and 4-6 inch swimbaits or shallow crankbaits. Any lure that produces some noise with spinning blades or rattles is good to.

Don't overlook a live or frozen smelt or minnow on the bottom, under a float or on a jig.

WW