First off, I finally got out onto the water today for the first time this season!  After a few hours and a realization that I overspooled my baitcaster I started throwing like a pro, maybe an overrun every 10-15 casts, not bad with the wind.  Conditions were nice for us, clear day, mid 60's but heavy wind and rain last night.  I wasn't sure about the water temp as I left my aqua-vu at home and forgot a thermometer.

We did catch about 5 pike, all between 12-18 inches, still juvenilles.  I have a feeling that the fish were lethargic though as they were hitting slow meps #5 or simple spinner baits.  What temps do pike mostly become "active" at?  It seems they're still in winter mode but hopefully a few warm days will change that.

Thanks!

  Pike are a cold water fish, I guess anywhere from 40- 65 degree is good for them. Muskie on the other hand like it a little warmer.

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers "There is no use in your walking five miles to fish when you can depend on being just as unsuccessful near home" -- Mark Twain

How are you, Tim?  Welcome to the NAFC Forums.  If you're also a new NAFC member, welcome to the Club as well.

 

During the cold months, I slow down my presentations.  I tend to leave the Mepp's, the Erie Dearies & other "active" baits in the Plano, & bring out the 6" & 9" Lunker City Slug-Gos.  Fish that would never dream of chasing a spinner will absolutely murder an Arkansas Shiner or Alewife colored Slug-Go... or Slug-Go imitation... that's slowly acting like it's dying.  You could also use minnows either on the bottom or under a bobber.  In cold water, it seldom seems to matter whether or not the minnow is alive.  Right after ice-out, northerns don't just hit live prey like they do in the warmer water.  They'll also scavenge like a channel cat, & eat the dead fish suspended in the water column or lying on the bottom.  So, switch to slower presentations in cooler waters, & your success rate should pick up.  When the water heats up, so does the bite.  That's the time for the Mepp's, the perch-colored Bucher Depth Raiders & Shallow Raiders, the jerkbaits, the 1 oz. Red Eye, Johnson Silver Minnow & Daredevle spoons, or the larger-sized Rat-L-Traps fished with some speed to them.

 

Hope I helped a little, & again, welcome.

If I'm not fishing, I'm thinking about it. Keep the line fresh, the hooks sharp, and have fun fishing. God bless you. -Sonny, Life Member since 2002