I just got interested in Northern Pike a little while ago so naturally I dont know much.  All I know is that they usually stay very close to weedbeds, they are visual hunters, and they usually attack from the side, but thats it. What lure or bait should I use? What line should I use? what kind of steel leader should I use????? I appreciate any help!

Best wishes on the water,

><=> Jake <=><

Jake: I find I catch a lot with any rattle trap type lure,Leader wise Titanium would be my choice, 20lb min and I like a Spide Wire super braid for line,your choice is up to you. Tight lines Lou

Well, I am still fairly new to catching the toothy mouthed torpedo myself.  But what I have gleaned from my relatively new fishing experience is a few things, and I will share them with you in hopes to try and get a few other members to respond and perhaps we can both learn a bit more.

(1) Pike are slimy critters, and can be a handful in the boat, so I use an old crappy towel to lay em on, as it helps me get a better grip on the fish for hook removal and stringing.  (2.)  A jaw spreader is extremely helpful it keeping the mouth open and teeth away from my fingers, as I have grown quite fond of 10 digits. (3.)  Steel leaders are a must.  18 to 24 inches is what I use.  (4.)  Pike attack from the side as you mentioned, and my lure of choice is the 5 of diamonds.  I have had to replace 2 of these already as the pike bite and scratch em all to hell.  Now having said that, on my pike lures, I file down the barb on the hooks just so there is barely a barb at all.  It makes hook removal that much easier.  (5.)  A hook remover is a necessary piece of equipment, again, I like my fingers. (6.)  Other lures I use are Esox lures from Cabelas.  Cleo spoons in brass colors, and a few homemade plugs with jig heads and red string to mimick blood, which seems to work pretty well.  Again, I file the barbs down for hook removal.

I hope this helps.+

i'm suprise that there hasn't been much added to this post...cechnrelease, if you look down thru these threads that are in pike/muskie. you should be able to find many answers to your question.

pike will eat about anything at any time and there is an a sortment of lures that can be used to catch pike. my faverate is any rapala and the huskey jerk is on the top of that list. buzz baits work great also. as for colors, anything that looks like halloween and/or flashie bright. it all depends on the time of day, color of the water that you are fishing in and what is the main bait fish that they are feeding on in he lake that you are fish in.

                                                         good luck to you and your quest

Thank you all so much! I can use all the advise I can get!

Best wishes on the water!

<=>< Jake ><=>

cechnrelease, have ya been able to get out and try any of the info ya got??

if so how did ya fare??

Unfortunately I have not been able to try any of these out yet but Im looking deeply into and I absolutely cant wait to get out on the water and catch some monsters! Thanks guys!

daredevils are good

You didn't see the Musky but the Musky saw you ; )

There are many great answers in your reponses. If I had to add anything it would be get a lipping tool (BOGO GRIP) and /or a landing cradle, or a large rubber net. Many anglers land Pike in knotted nets that harm Pike when they roll in the net. I have seen anglers on TV "eyeball" Pike out of the water. This can only lead to damage to the fishes ability to see prey and hunt properly if not blind them all together.

Between those your jaw spreaders and hook out. You'll be able to land em' unhook em' pose with em' and release em'.

If you can do it all without laying the fish on the ground or the bottom of the boat you greatly help the fish by not removing their protective slime.

TRcarpcatcher,

 It's like I always say; If you want to consistently catch Northern and Muskie you gotta go Walleye fishing.  Now, if you are getting bit off by these toothie critters here is something I learned from John Blong (guide in Brainerd Lakes area of MN), tie a barrel swivel to your main line, to this tie two pieces of 20 lb mono, and to this tie your jig. This gives you a double 20lb line that both need to be cut. This will minimize the biteoffs and line cutting when the pike rolles. I was told to use this when Walleye fishing where Pike and Muskie are common, but I use it for Northern fishing too.

Have to agree with the walleye connection. About 85% of the Pike that I have caught have been incidentals while fishing for something else, usually walleye. My biggest suprise Northern came in Oct. of '08 while fishing a local pond(about 3 acres) for Crappie. I was working a Matzuo Swim Grub on an ultralight spooled with 5# Power Pro-no leader. Thought I snagged until it started pulling drag. Turns out I had a 25" or so Pike on the line. Was able to land and release the fish. Didn't have a camera, so no pics. I will NEVER go out fishing without a camera again! There are no baits that a Pike won't hit, but long and slim seem to be preferred.

Tom