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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Northern Pike => Topic started by: A man called horse on Jan 18, 2019, 01:24 PM

Title: Alternative pike bait
Post by: A man called horse on Jan 18, 2019, 01:24 PM
It’s gotten so metro around here we no longer have bait shops.
Has anyone substituted whole talapia in place of sunnies or suckers for pike bait?
Jim
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: sledneck22 on Jan 18, 2019, 01:31 PM
I've personally witnessed plain ol Oscar Meyer wieners with a quick strike rig work for pike bait.

I'm pretty sure I've seen it on tv too. I believe Larry Smith Outdoors had an episode where they were using them.
-Sled
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: Whytie on Jan 18, 2019, 01:32 PM
Do you have access to any frozen sardines or herrings? Some grocery stores sell them frozen. I've had better luck with herrings around here.
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: stinkyfingers on Jan 18, 2019, 02:15 PM
Talapia? That's kinda funny but I'm not sure why. Don't think tilapia will work unless served over quinoa with a light caper sauce and an arugula salad. Add a cool and fragrant sauvignon blanc to drink. Lighthearted banter in the background.

  Mr. Pike would prefer the weenie alternate served with a quickstrike rig. Oscar Meyer brand may be coming in too snooty. Cheaper the better, "Scotch Buy", or Bar S ten for a buck is more to the gentleman's taste.
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: adkRoy on Jan 18, 2019, 04:48 PM
I had an old timer tell me that he used to use raw venison chunks when ice fishing for pike.  Especially if its thawed out and laying around a few days.
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: Yukoner on Jan 18, 2019, 05:37 PM
Half a frankfurter.

(https://i.postimg.cc/R3BzFTnh/IMGP3907.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R3BzFTnh)

(https://i.postimg.cc/BLZ95QpG/IMGP3909.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BLZ95QpG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rzm2Ksz1/IMGP3911.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzm2Ksz1)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DWgRz3Tp/IMGP3914.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWgRz3Tp)

We use the cheapest ones you can buy.  They have the highest fat content, and seem to produce best.  Some guys draw a couple of eyes on them with a sharpie, but I never have.

 :tipup:
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: 32footsteps on Jan 18, 2019, 06:22 PM
Asian grocery store frozen seafood section. Anything in there will work.
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: appleye on Jan 18, 2019, 06:53 PM
If the grocery sells sea food ask if they have smelt. Most of the time they have it in the freezer for cheap. I got two dozen today for 1.50$. Cheap bait! Hot dogs also work well as stated. I run both.
Title: Re: Alternative pike bait
Post by: river_scum on Jan 19, 2019, 04:02 PM
we use natural baits here.  small gills perch or crappie.  better get u a bait tank and stock up by hitting some creeks before freeze up.

or bag of smelt from wallyworld.

I would think shrimp would work good too.