IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Northern Pike => Topic started by: dkillay64 on Sep 22, 2011, 12:01 PM
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The last few years I have used red beads and silver colorado blades on fluro with a red or black treble. I am wondering if anyone has had particular luck with different color beads or blades for pike. I have seen glow blades online, as well as many other colors on different websites. Has anyone experimented with a multitude of different color set ups and find that pike like one more than the other?
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I'm interested to see what people say about this. I started experimenting with blades last winter so I don't have much experience with using them, but I did notice a few things. I like using dead bait for pike and have caught all my 36"+ pike on dead bait, but last year I started putting out a jigging rod with a large shiner with a red bead and Colorado blade directly above the hook, and I probably caught more fish on that rod than my 4 tipups combined. The downside is most of the fish were pickerel and none of the pike were over 32". I'm actually more interested in experimenting with different blades for muskie. This year I'm planning on experimenting with different colors and materials. I think sound plays a part in attracting/triggering fish to bite and I'm hoping to pin down which blades produce the best flash and sound. Here is a rig I had some success with last year: 80lb pink yozuri floro, split shot with a willow leaf blade above the bait, a pair of #2 crimped gamakatsu octos and a 10" trout (which was just chewed up by a decent muskie)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6176213731_68173f62b9_b.jpg)
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Here's something that might be worth a look...
http://www.pikespearing.com/Pike_Killa_Lures.php (http://www.pikespearing.com/Pike_Killa_Lures.php)
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I slide a red bead and a yellow bead on the leader before I tie on a swivel, and sometimes use a small egg sinker above the beads. It seems to help some, and I don't see how it hurts! Never tried a blade before, but just might give it a whirl this season.
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A gentleman i used to do a fair amount of pike fishing with always predicted what tip-up flag would go up next , the one with the red bead and yellow blade he would say. Worked for him so i jumped on the band wagon. For whatever reason i've had good results.
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Ct lets ya use trout for bait? Store bought? I find it amusing how different rules/regs are for different states. In MA , ya can use perch, but not in NH.
I use small blades , Indiana or colorados on my tip up rigs. I think they improve catch rates, by bringing in fish from a longer distance.
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Unfortunately you can't use trout for bait in CT, but it's legal down here in Jersey and you can buy them from the hatchery for about $3 a pop.
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Crazy rules, i would like to use trout but we can use perch if caught in the same water your fishing for pike.Jig em then bait em.
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Michigan...you can use gills, perch, etc. for bait on the lake you caught them in, but you can't transport to another lake.
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Yeah my typical set up has been a golden shiner on a treble (dead or alive) with three red beads topped off by a gold or chrome colored colorado blade... I will definately try yellow as well. Cabelas has tons of different kinds of blades (different sizes, colors, etc). For this year I think I am just going to buy a few random different colors and sizes and see which has the most success. I think I am going to try the glow blades as well. I wonder if the beads or the blades make more of an impact.
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huh...seems kind of wierd, I never thought of using beads/blades with ice fishing.....seems like more of a trolling/horizontal tactic. You guys vertical jig those setups, or just let the bait pull the blade around on a dead stick? I might have to try this....works good on softwater walleye
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huh...seems kind of wierd, I never thought of using beads/blades with ice fishing.....seems like more of a trolling/horizontal tactic. You guys vertical jig those setups, or just let the bait pull the blade around on a dead stick? I might have to try this....works good on softwater walleye
I use the blades on tip ups with both live and dead bait. I have had better success with this than with just a bare hook. I do not do any vertical jigging. I have caught walleye on this rig even though pike are my target. Definitely worth trying.
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so....you use blades and beads for deadstick, but NOT jigging? Seems like a blade/bead would be much more effective on a moving bait?
you get walleye on dead stick/bait?
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imo, trout make one of the BEST Muskie and Pike baits of all time for tipup fishing. ;D
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imo, trout make one of the BEST Muskie and Pike baits of all time for tipup fishing. ;D
close...
(http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/nscrfrk/smelt.jpg)
Smelt (as in rainbow)
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close...
(http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp135/nscrfrk/smelt.jpg)
Smelt (as in rainbow)
I like my bait in the 12-14 inch range. I don't think smelts get that big ;D
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so....you use blades and beads for deadstick, but NOT jigging? Seems like a blade/bead would be much more effective on a moving bait?
you get walleye on dead stick/bait?
I don't do much jigging, and if I do its because the actions slow and I will target perch or crappie just to catch something. I agree that it is more effective with moving bait, but the area I fish in has a small current (setback off a river) so that will provide a little action for the blade, not much, but a little. I have had more success with live bait for walleye, but dead bait with beads and spinners has been decent for pike fishing.
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Skip ahead to 3:00 mins to see our setup.
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Crazy rules, i would like to use trout but we can use perch if caught in the same water your fishing for pike.Jig em then bait em.
Probably a dumb question, never fished with tipups or used perch as bait; do you cut off the top fish that has spikes if you use it as bait?
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huh...seems kind of wierd, I never thought of using beads/blades with ice fishing.....seems like more of a trolling/horizontal tactic. You guys vertical jig those setups, or just let the bait pull the blade around on a dead stick? I might have to try this....works good on softwater walleye
Some places you have to add beads and blades to make a rig legal.
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Probably a dumb question, never fished with tipups or used perch as bait; do you cut off the top fish that has spikes if you use it as bait?
I have never cut the dorsal fins off. I just hook them just like a rosie red.
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i use steel leaders. 6-9 inches. would the beads/blades work that high up from the hook or do you need them right down basically touching the hook?
this is what i rigged up today 2 red beads, pretty big blade, 2 red beads steel leader with treble.
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i would get rid of the wire and go to florocarbon leader. then the blade and beads will be by the bait.
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if you wanted to stick with the leaders, you can definately slide beads and blades over some leaders, i know they will fit over eagle claw leaders, i have done this in the past...
but i agree that fluro is the best option, or even mono if you do not want to spend the money
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you guys use flouro leaders for pike?! don't they get bit off?
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Mono is junk, I had a few bite offs with 80lb mono and will never use it again. Heavy floro or steel are the way to go. If you put the blade by the hook make sure it can't slide anywhere near the hookpoint. If the blade blocks the hookpoint when you set the hook you'll lose fish. Beads work for separating the hook and blade, or you can use a split shot to move the blade away from the bait.
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we use 20# floro. had 2 bite-offs last year. Pete Maina uses 80-100# floro for casting for muskies. i like it for its lack of visability under water.
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I have been running half of my tipups with beads and/or blades and the other half just bare fluoro for 3 years and VT allows 15 lines/person so I've seen enough fish to notice some trends... Red beads and small gold blades have yielded probably 50% more flags and fish, except in clear water where the plain leader works better. My one tip is to put a heavier glass bead above the blade, this pushes down on it and lets it spin much better. I've watched lively minnows under the ice and the blades spin and flash remarkably well.
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I have been running half of my tipups with beads and/or blades and the other half just bare fluoro for 3 years and VT allows 15 lines/person so I've seen enough fish to notice some trends... Red beads and small gold blades have yielded probably 50% more flags and fish, except in clear water where the plain leader works better. My one tip is to put a heavier glass bead above the blade, this pushes down on it and lets it spin much better. I've watched lively minnows under the ice and the blades spin and flash remarkably well.
Thanks for the tip!... where I fish in southern VT, (connecticutt river setback) you are only allowed 6 lines per person... 15 must sure keep you busy!
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I started running perch/crappie rigs under my tip ups last year and my flags really started popping. They have blades on them and the best seemed to be the fire-tiger blades.
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This is really interesting. I have never used blades or beads but based on some of the comments it sounds like it is worth a try.. I usually just use hook and bait with now blade.. does this work best on live bait as apposed to dead or do people use blades on dead bait too? I dont see how this would help....if anything seems like it would make it look less natural...
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This is really interesting. I have never used blades or beads but based on some of the comments it sounds like it is worth a try.. I usually just use hook and bait with now blade.. does this work best on live bait as apposed to dead or do people use blades on dead bait too? I dont see how this would help....if anything seems like it would make it look less natural...
I use beads and blades on live and dead bait. I fish a setback off a river and it has a small current, but enough to move the blade with dead bait on the line... i just feel like any extra flash you can get is going to at least make pike interested
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yeah that makes sense... thanks for your info.. I may have to try some blades this year. Planning a trip Jan 13th to VT. hopefully we will have ice!
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To me, the only reason I'd even use blades is with live bait, the minnow makes the blade flutter and shine. Dead bait with blades, to me? Pointless.
Here's my take on beads and blades... Beads don't seem to change much, for me. It's just preference maybe use a hot pink or red one in dark stained water. I've tried blades and did truly seem to catch more pike. But smaller. Big mature females wouldn't eat. I talked to a few veterans on the st. Lawrence who have caught tanks, and the general consensus was that big huge pike have seen lots of flashy blade baits and flashy lures, the best presentation for big seasoned pike is a low visibility leader/swivel snap/hook with a big tasty offering on the end. Plain and boring.
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I use a red a and white willow blade with hot pink beads on a red treble. Works ok. I catch more on the trebles that i tie red and white bucktail to with no blades or beads.
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My best luck I would say was red beads and chartruse blade or copper blade with a nice shined on hook :tipup:
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Try crimping your own leaders if you want beads and blades closer to the hook. You can build them any way you choose.
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does anyone attach blades and beads on their braided above their leader or do you want it closer to the hook?
thanks
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this year I have my beads and blades above my 12 inch leader this year my daughter has had the best luck with purple and pink beads and a white small willow leaf we are also running a red braid line blackmer hope to see you on the 3rd
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so you run your beads and your spoons on the braided line instead of on your leader? If so how the hell do you tie them on there, beads and spoons that is. I was going to do a drop loop in my line then just slipknot the spoon on but it puts it off to the side and idk if i like the way it rigs up. Also how much does it cost to make up your own leaders? Crimp gun? crimps? fluorocarbon? swivels? what else?
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so you run your beads and your spoons on the braided line instead of on your leader? If so how the hell do you tie them on there, beads and spoons that is. I was going to do a drop loop in my line then just slipknot the spoon on but it puts it off to the side and idk if i like the way it rigs up. Also how much does it cost to make up your own leaders? Crimp gun? crimps? fluorocarbon? swivels? what else?
I Paid 22 for 25 yards of seagard 50 lb leader material. $3 for for 20 nickel crimps and 2 for the large barrel swivels. You dont really need the crimpers. A pair of needle nose pliers work fine. You can use a pair crimps to keep the beads and blade where you want on the leader
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alright, I guess i am not worried about the prices of everything but now I am just tryin to feel everyone out for what is best crimping or tying? it will be fluorocarbon
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Great info! Hey saxmatt are those size 2 hooks or 2/0? also did you consider running a small tracer hook on that rig?
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i tried a quick strike rig with just trebles and barely any luck. this year i made my own quick strike rigs and added some with green beads and green blades, and some with orange beads with orange blades. seems to be making a difference because i have gotten quite a few flags this year already as compared to last year.
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I'm the complete opposite.
My quick strike rigs with just red or black trebles have gotten 10:1 hit ratios as my rigs with blades and beads.
Gonna try swapping places with each rig and see if anything new happens.
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Here's some anecdotal evidence that beads blades and bucktail works. This weekend i set up on a small featureless lake. I had two groups with 20 tip ups each on both sides of me. All my tip ups have either bucktail trebles, blades and red beads or all three. I had 9 flags 3 pickerel and a jumbo perch on the ice on 5 .tipups. One of the other groups had 2 flags and no fish the other group had several flags but no fish. I think the added flare on my rigs helped me catch a few fish when everyone else was catching nothing.
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Nice to see this resurrected......... I missed it the first time around.
I'm a believer in attraction. Seems like hard water gets most folks into the "natural, finesse, gotta be stealthy and invisible" mode. I think pike are pretty shameless creatures and will eat most anything if you can get them to come check it out. Sure, there are slow days, but for the most part.
Many of my leaders have 3-4 colored beads on them; mostly 3 I guess. I like contrast so I usually place a glow or pearl one between pink, orange or chartreuse (in order of preference). Bead size is mostly 4mm but occasionally a larger bead set (5mm) does the trick.
I've also experimented with some "flashers" fashioned out of Flashabou. The red/silver holographic is far and away the best though I've caught fish on gold, silver, blue, green and rainbow. These babies can really turn the tide especially when there's lots of fishing pressure. Just one of those things to make my bait stand out in a virtual sea of others.
I would expect sound to play a part as well. I've had some good experiences jigging lipless cranks for pike and at times they are incredible. A couple smaller blades (say size 2 or less) clanking together on a bait rig is in my future. I knew a guy that hung some bass worm rattles on his minnow rigs, don't know how that turned out.........
It's like so many other things fishing, there are no magic lures. Sometimes it seems like it, but not day in and day out. Gotta roll with the fish, let 'em tell you what they want. Be versatile, be prepared........
Just my opinions based on my experiences........... .....user mileage may vary.
/m