Canada Northern Pike Fishing

Canada northern pike fishing requires strategies that vary from season to season. In the very early spring a successful tactic is deadbait fishing for pike . This method has the ability to land a lot of big pike shortly after ice off. If you can’t make it on the water at this time, no worries. There are other tactics to land your trophy in late spring and early summer.

Smaller pike in the summer (which are easier to clean than the big ones), typically prefer water in the 75 degree range. The big northerns favor temperatures a bit cooler. They like water in the 50 to 55 degree range. Depending on what your goals are (catching a trophy or catching a meal) it will dictate what depth you work at while Canada northern pike fishing.

Generally, pike have been known to favor prey that is 10 to 20 percent of their body mass. From time to time they will strike a fish that is close to half of their size. The moral of this story; if you want a large pike you use a large lure.

While Canada northern pike fishing, you must remember that the fish can be found in a variety of locations. Northern pike like to ambush their prey. They will set themselves up in positions to give themselves the best advantage possible. Areas that have thick weeds, defined underwater structure and narrows between two bodies of water are popular pike locations.

Make sure you have at least ten pound test on your reel with a strong wire leader attached. If you hook a big one, they can put a tremendous amount of stress on your line. Your lure will catch the pike, your leader will keep you from losing it.

There are a number of lures specifically engineered to spark the northern pikes aggressive nature. Spoons 3 to 4 inches long that are red and silver in appearance have always been a killer. The five of diamonds and the ladybug have had success for years as well. These spoons showcase a slow wobble that interest pike in a variety of moods. Make sure you have your share of these – and in a couple of different sizes (3 to 4 inch size for sure).

How about a slap? One effective way to maximize the success of spoons is to slap them. Simply cast toward your target zone higher than normal. Pull the rod swiftly toward you when the lure is about to hit the water. This will make the lure jump back and slap the water. Many times this attracts nearby pike and triggers their aggressive nature.

While Canada northern pike fishing, the positioning of your cast is important. Cast your spoon along weed beds and other structure, retrieving it at a slow to medium pace. Give your rod an occasional tug to flutter the spoon under water. Remember to hang on tight. When a northern pike strikes, you know it.

You may feel more than one hit on your retrieval. Northern pike will “hit” their prey in order to stun it on occasion. Once stunned they will turn for the kill. If you feel a hit but have nothing on the end of your line, hang on. Pike often circle back to finish its prey off!

Another good option for pike (and big pike too) in the late spring and early summer are spinners. Mepps and Blue Fox spinners of a variety of colors have brought in their share of big northern pike. The advantage of these lures is their spinning action causes a slight lift to the hook. This allows you to slow your presentation down, and entice the “ big ones” to hit.

Top water lures can be an absolute riot. A “buzzbait” which slaps along the top of the water upon retrieval mimics an injured duckling. Northern pike will come out of the water to strike this lure. Many times they will miss as they throw themselves in a flurry toward the hook. This can be absolutely hilarious. The success rate of hooking them is not as high as a spinner or spoon, but the action creates will be something you will remember for a long time!

As good as buzzbaits are however, they are not the best top water lure you should have. Floating minnow baits like Rapalas or Thundersticks are great choices for Canada northern pike fishing. Not only can you slow retrieve them to mimic an injured fish on the surface, but you can speed up your retrieval. By speeding up the retrieval, the lures dive to deeper waters, and likely past a waiting pike.

For the best results Canada northern pike fishing, keep the lure's movement understated with numerous long pauses between twitches. This gives the fish lots of time to examine the lure and decide when to attack.

Whether you are fishing spinners, plugs or spoons, weather plays a major factor in catching pike of all sizes. Windy days seem to be best for pike because the wind causes confusion to the pike's senses of vision and hearing. Typically the biggest pike are caught in the early spring, but many anglers swear a windy unsettled day can be just as effective in the summer.

Pike have to feed without fear, making them more likely to be attracted to the proper presentation of an effective lure. Remember these pike tips the next time you are on the water.

Thanks for reading.

Good Fishing.