bigger is better?

[whale1979]

just wondering?  when u are targeting bigger pike, like 10lbs and up.  should u be using the biggest bait u can find?  i typically use herring in the 6-8in range.   should i be using bigger??   thx.  

[deadsmelthead]

It has been my understanding that Pike will regularly prey upon baitfish that are 1/4 of there body length. I cut open a 36 inch Pike 2 seasons ago and checked it's stomach, low and behold there were 4, roughly 8-9 inch perch in it and 1 about 4 inches.. So I think it would stand to reason bigger is better, I'm not saying that big pike will not prey on small bait but I'd think they aren't gona expend energy unless it's worth it.

I'd look at it this way, if you had to walk 10 miles to mcdonalds to eat your probably not gona get the kids meal.

[PikeSticker]

Biologists have verified that a big northern can and does eat other fish that can be as much as 40% of their own body weight. That's a 4#'er for a ten pound fish. And I've seen a number of four pounders with teeth slashes along their sides where a larger fish hit them from the underside. I've seen a number of pike fishing episodes on fishing shows where they were using 12-14 inch suckers on their tip ups and taking fish that barely fit through the hole.

One caveat though, fishing big baits in a lake that doesn't have any fish large enough to eat the bait will only produce some feeble false hits by the dinkers. 

[7 plus larry]

If they are hungry they will eat it,just my take on this subject.Mass.state record pike caught on a medium shiner.

[flik n dip]

I like big bait. But big is a relative term, in a lake with an average of 5lbs, 8 inches is big. in a lake regularly produces fish 15lbs then 8in isn't that big, big there might be up to 18inches. I use dead bait that has reached that big as a joke and had a few smash a runs.

[captain54]

They hit what ever in there face,had huge ones hit smaller bait,had small one take huge bait,they could not eat.If there's huge pike in the lake you fish,bait in the 6-10 inch range will be fine.My biggest ice pike,have hand size crappie in there belly's mostly.

[warwin125]

you just never know. BIG bait will keep those pesty pickeral from hitting most of the time

[53andout]

I caught a big pike with a leagal wally in it's gut.

[IFISHY]

i kept one 9.7 lbs last week had a 12 inch largemouth in it go big or go home

[warwin125]

I caught a big pike with a leagal wally in it's gut.

how big was the pike???

[JDN]

 Its harder to set & stick a fish if the baits huge!!

[finlessbrown]

i caught a 13 pounder once on a 3/4 inch perch bait on lake champlain. if their hungry and it'll fit they'lle eat it!

[northernnyice]

Yep! big bait my friend

[warren77]

I don't think it matters to much...BUT...If your going for the trophy pike,then try and use something a little bigger.

[***WaterWolf***]

Go "BIG" or Go Home!

[northernnyice]

Go "BIG" or Go Home!

Agreed.

[captain54]

I've found some huge fish in pikes stomach,but it's hard using giant live bait on a tip-up,I've caught several pike 40-42 inches on bait in the 5-7 inch range,I use gills or crappies for bait.

[GAMBELL]

Go "BIG" or Go Home!

Go dead or go home.  I would rather use dead bait big or small over live big bait.  If they are hungry, dead bait just hanging there will take more pike.  They do not have to waste much energy chasing the bait around. 

[deadbait dave]

BIG DEAD BAIT!

[***WaterWolf***]

Go dead or go home.  I would rather use dead bait big or small over live big bait.  If they are hungry, dead bait just hanging there will take more pike.  They do not have to waste much energy chasing the bait around. 
[/quote

I agree, I left out the dead part

[SebagoSlayer]

From what i have read and found out pike will eat just about anything.