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Re: help a teen catch more fish

Author Subject: Re: help a teen catch more fish

JP Posted At 09:32:39 12/31/2001
Like the guys above, I'm C&R with anything over about 6#'s.

I hit my deadbait+quickstrike fish early. 99% of the time, this means layin' them out while they're on the run. Choose appropriately stout line and terminal rigging that will handle the impact of a big pike that's running hard when you stop her.

When using live chubs, shiners, suckers or perch, I hook the baitfish close to the wrist of the tail. This ensures that the treble is the LAST thing to enter the pike's gullet. Even if you wait too long, chances are good the fish will still be releasable. Most of mine are hooked in the hoof of the mouth. Baitfish hooked in the dorsal area or lips result in the hook being swallowed deeply much too fast for my liking. When hooking near the tail, go with very little shot, well up (3'-4') up from the minnow. He will free swim nicely. Suckers instinctively head for bottom. Chubs and shiners will often struggle for the surface before settling down.

While you've got a setline down, try jigging. Nothing compares to the way a pike unloads on a jigged bait. Williams Whitefish, Jigging Rapalas and 1/4oz jig+grub+minnow+stinger hook are my three confidence baits. Spool up with 14#-20# Fusion or Fireline--the hits can be hard when you've got less than 20 feet of line below you. Set your drag to slip a bit on the hook set, and go to a rod with a tip that isn't too fast. Always use a leader. Pike tend to inhale baits that free fall, I find.

In clear water, I like blue/silver and chartreuse/silver for my Rapalas, 1/2 gold-1/2 silver for my spoons and a pearl white grub with a red jighead. In dirty water, I use golds, chartreuse and firetiger patterns more.

Always tip your leadhead+twistertails and spoons with a 3-4" minnow and a stinger hook. Good Luck.