No pike for you !

[dryfly]

I have never caught a pike.
I am getting tired of saying this as there really is no excuse.
I have probably caught every species in NH except a pike and a walleye .....

Anyone willing to help put me on some decent pike .... I will put you on some big bad  browns.
Hoping to put a pike replica on my wall this year.

Hoping to hit some ice this weekend and will post reports throughout the season.
My propane auger and 4 man Shappel house are calling me.

Be safe !

[Mr.Harry]

Connecticut river. Upper Valley. When I'm getting into a new species and don't know anybody to show me the ropes, I'll look into a guide.

[coldsteel]

youll be hard pressed for people to jump on giving out their pike spots as it is a limited resource around here. I hope you find them though they are one of my favorite fish to target and I spent many winters heading to champlain for a weekend or two of pike fishing. good luck in your search.

[dryfly]

I haven't ruled out a guide yet .....

All my gear is set up for trout .....

I guess I should buy a few traps and dedicate them to pike only.
Thing is i don't really enjoy ice fishing by myself.

[coldsteel]

if you need any tips or pointers on setting up your tip ups for pike feel free to ask. have you fished for pike in the past? you are right fishing alone for pike can get real boring as most days are fairly slow if you are looking for bigger fish.

[Oz 1]

Just My two cents...
Locate your Pike water..
shallower Back waters, weedy edges, open patches in weeds.. for me
Traps set with BIG Bait and plenty of line on your spool as they sometimes run off a bunch of line
Fresh Dead works fine too
Lay it on the bottom- or near bottom
Heavy flouro leader say some... wire leader say others
Let them eat a bit if its big bait, sometimes they run off line, stop turn the bait, eat, and run more- sometimes they stop there.
If you get a big one on it will peel line between your fingers.. Dont drop the line and say "OW!" (theres a story in there)
Oh.. No gaffing in NH
Early Ice is best IMO

I'd send pics of some caught that way...but I stink at attaching on this forum.

If you hit the right spots (& there are strings in here going back to last year that will help) you wont be lonely, and most guys are more forthcoming in person to a fellow sportsman than on the boards   You'll be hooked soon.
Happy hunting.

[dryfly]

Thanks Oz.

What pound fluorocarbon ?
How long of a leader ?
What size hook ?

I went thru this last year and never even set up on the bastages once !

If anyone is heading out anytime for the varmits and wants company let me know.
Gots a brandy new propane auger and a brandy new 4 person Shappell.

Spent most of my time on trout waters last year ..... Winni and other smaller ponds.

Sure would like to catch a pike but would be happy just to see a decent one and take some picts.

Im in North Conway !

[Oz 1]

Personally speaking and this has varied over the years -  40lb Flouro (have not been sorry, and I get just as many walleye and bass as when I have gone lighter)
Hook depends on size of bait - don't mean to cop out but that is the answer
Flouro Leader is 3 feet ish.. not super particular on the exact length -  But I do like at least a couple of feet myself.
I try to keep the leader from turning into a curly go round by keeping last foot or more stretched out, pulled straight and hooked into a foam block on top of my trap (thats just me- I dont know anybody else that cares too much about that part)

[dryfly]

Checking out the Fish and Game website ... I guess Jerhico would be my first try.
Might have to check it out this weekend.

[FirstTimer1311]

If you go let me know would be interested in joing you if thTs alright

[dryfly]

OK will do !

[coldsteel]

i was fine with 30lb last yr with a 15 and 18lb pike caught i also like a huge deadbait just barely touching bottom, other than that big goldens or redfins. I have not had luck on big suckers but my buddy had a nice runner last yr on a decent size live sucker but lost it becasue he didnt listen to me and put too small of a hook on.

[tafts ta]

I can't help you in NH, but if you just want to land some Toothies I can hook you up in MA

[dryfly]

i was fine with 30lb last yr with a 15 and 18lb pike caught i also like a huge deadbait just barely touching bottom, other than that big goldens or redfins. I have not had luck on big suckers but my buddy had a nice runner last yr on a decent size live sucker but lost it becasue he didnt listen to me and put too small of a hook on.

Nice fish in your signature !

Now tell us the truth ....
Did you catch them ?

    

[coldsteel]

Nice fish in your signature !

Now tell us the truth ....
Did you catch them ?

    

thank you thank you, and yes i did both same day actually i was very fortunate last season it will be a tough one to beat

[dryfly]

Do you have any pike replicas or taxidermy on the wall ?

[lavaman]

hey dryfly I can put u on a pike but we would have to go to maine to do it. let me know if your interested in doing that the week that I am up there and we can pick a day.

[coldsteel]

Do you have any pike replicas or taxidermy on the wall ?

i have a NH 6.5lb brown trout on the wall that i could not revive no matter how hard i tried so i got it mounted. i may some day get a replica of that 42.5" pike i got last yr unless i hit a true 20lber first in which case ill do a replica of that one. how about you?

[dryfly]

I have one 4.5 pound rainbow on a wall caught 15 years ago in the Newfound River on a red gray ghost that was bleeding.
It was early January and terribly cold. Fish got under some shelf ice and got hurt.
He hangs at The Camp restaurant in Meredith.

I have released some beautiful bass that I should have got done up .... smallmouth at 5 pounds from Winni on the flyrod.
Largemouth at 8 pounds from WicWaws ..
Big crappie from WicWaws ...
Some beautiful rainbows out of Winni ...

I cant kill them ... gotta release them ... 
Sucks trying to get a couple of good pictures when you are by yourself too.

But ... I wouldn't hesitate in doing a pike replica if I caught a decent one this year.
Wonder what a 20 pound pike replica costs these days

[dryfly]

hey dryfly I can put u on a pike but we would have to go to maine to do it. let me know if your interested in doing that the week that I am up there and we can pick a day.

Might take you up on that .....

[lowaccord66]

hey dryfly I can put u on a pike but we would have to go to maine to do it. let me know if your interested in doing that the week that I am up there and we can pick a day.

Oooo man, take me too!  Those pike are ellusive

[taggin out]

I had a replica done two years ago on a 41 inch 21 pound pike. It was around 614 if I remember right. The first one over 20 I did a skin mount and I must say quality wise the replica is far above the skin mount. Just not nearly as big so not as impressive.

[coldsteel]

I have one 4.5 pound rainbow on a wall caught 15 years ago in the Newfound River on a red gray ghost that was bleeding.
It was early January and terribly cold. Fish got under some shelf ice and got hurt.
He hangs at The Camp restaurant in Meredith.

I have released some beautiful bass that I should have got done up .... smallmouth at 5 pounds from Winni on the flyrod.
Largemouth at 8 pounds from WicWaws ..
Big crappie from WicWaws ...
Some beautiful rainbows out of Winni ...

I cant kill them ... gotta release them ... 
Sucks trying to get a couple of good pictures when you are by yourself too.

But ... I wouldn't hesitate in doing a pike replica if I caught a decent one this year.
Wonder what a 20 pound pike replica costs these days

thats awesome man nice bow, and that smallie and largemouth would have been tough to not mount for me as well i have caughten 4lb smallies but never a true 5 that is impressive!

[dryfly]

Yeah I used to be good. Now I am just lucky.

[coldsteel]

Yeah I used to be good. Now I am just lucky.

like wise man haha but hey sometimes id rather be lucky than good!  good luck if you get out this weekend

[Oz 1]

Got this so far - working at improving it