Pike Mouths?

[swampbuckster]

I have alot of friends who say that a Northerns mouth gets "soft" or they loose teeth and won't hit this time of year. Has anyone else heard of this? I know they are getting ready to spawn but I don't see why that would effect their mouths

[yarndt52]

ya.. there gums get really sore and puffy.. sure does seem to effect the bite here in MN..

[walleyechaser]

myth!!!!

The eat all year long.

[swampbuckster]

That's sort of what I was thinking. I caught 2 on tip-ups last last weekend. I seem to catch them late ice every year!

[nelsonk44215]

we always have good luck late in the season, i think it is because the big females are bulking up for spawning. They seem to be a bit more aggressive to this time of year, we are not getting as many runs where they take it out at spit the bait.

Nelson

[Michiganmallard]

I agree with nelsonk44215.  Late winter pike fishing is great- they seem to eat anything and everything they can to get nourished enough for the spawn. 
I've not heard of the soft mouth thing- don't know if it's true or not but I don't believe it affects the bite any.

[calvin21]

i heard about this a couple years ago in a book. they said that pike getting sore mouths is a myth and that pike are always losing or breaking their teeth and it does not affect there mouths.

[Rumrunner]

If I had the spines from gills and Perch and who knows what else cuttin the heck outta my gums...well, I would be puffy too.  LOL

[empty hook]

I have alot of friends who say that a Northerns mouth gets "soft" or they loose teeth and won't hit this time of year. Has anyone else heard of this? I know they are getting ready to spawn but I don't see why that would effect their mouths

I had a big pike hit my bluegill camera yesterday,put 3 Socrates and one tooth mark on it,if it's mouth wasn't sore before it probably is now.

[esox slayer]

It's not a myth.  Up here, it usually starts happening the last week of January.  Open a pikes mouth sometime after you land it and take a look.  Some people say the teeth fall out, some say the gums swell and cover the teeth, I say whatever, the teeth are either gone or covered for the most part.  You open a pikes mouth and only see one or 2 teeth and try and argue that fact......Esox

[swampbuckster]

It's not a myth.  Up here, it usually starts happening the last week of January.  Open a pikes mouth sometime after you land it and take a look.  Some people say the teeth fall out, some say the gums swell and cover the teeth, I say whatever, the teeth are either gone or covered for the most part.  You open a pikes mouth and only see one or 2 teeth and try and argue that fact......Esox

Well, if it is true, obviously they still have to eat! That's good enough for old Mr.  ! Hmmmmmmm.......I could make millions making dentures for Northern Pike!

[skulldugary]

Myth.....

[Rumrunner]

Myth???  No way...Ive seen pike with dentures....LOL

[yarndt52]

it usually happens around the end of january and seems to continue for a few weeks before the bite picks up.. ya you will still catch some here and there but not nearly as many as normal.. i've seen many pike with swollen puffy mouths...

[azz7772]

It's not a myth.  Up here, it usually starts happening the last week of January.  Open a pikes mouth sometime after you land it and take a look.  Some people say the teeth fall out, some say the gums swell and cover the teeth, I say whatever, the teeth are either gone or covered for the most part.  You open a pikes mouth and only see one or 2 teeth and try and argue that fact......Esox

my argument is that you were probably fishing in a real popular spot and that you caught the dummest fish in the lake he probably has been caught a couple dozen times hence the no teeth             

[swampbuckster]

my argument is that you were probably fishing in a real popular spot and that you caught the dummest fish in the lake he probably has been caught a couple dozen times hence the no teeth               
 
 
 

The pike could also of been addicted to crack. That might be why he has no teeth!