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What you using for bait?
Heck try a hot dog
tried brineing or dyeing the baits at all?
I do use hot dogs. I cut them into 1 to 1-1/2 chunks, use blue raspberry jello and a bunch of garlic powder. let them sit in this till the hot dog chunks look like a smirf and smell like garlic.
When the pike bite is off , I use shrimp on a flash spoon[ purple, gold, or silver]Soak in salt to toughen them up.Also use bigger smelt [ I use 8"+ long] .
Spearing is an option. Assuming it's a legal option where you're fishing.
it is legal but, ive never been the biggest fan of spearing, always enjoyed the fight pike give!
A little food for thought...I forget which podcast mentioned it, but in regards to hot-dogs, apparently not all are created equal. I heard reference to a particular brand that sinks significantly better than the rest. Has anyone tried sausage links like folks on Flathead Lake use for lakers?