Pike Bait

[esoxmaster]

Is there anywhere around North or South Hero ar anywhere within 45 minutes or so of that area that sells BIG BAIT?!?!?! I need at least 7 inch suckers if not bigger and/or shiners at least 5 or 6 inches, or any kind of big bait!

[whitetail05401]

Let me call a friend of mine and Ill get back to you on that....jim s

[esoxmaster]

K, Thanks a ton!

[Vt Piker]

Gators will chew on your $1 to $1.50 ea. monster bait, or they'll chew on perch(free). HMMMM.
 Yes, I do buy bait, but the big stuff is hard to come by and very pricey. You're talking about a critter that happily slams into a chunk of steel that's painted red and white!!!
  I know that some swear by shiners, for others it's suckers. Remember when you were a kid reeling in a perch and a pike crashed it?  Hmmmm...

[Smada_Evad]

Gators will chew on your $1 to $1.50 ea. monster bait, or they'll chew on perch(free). HMMMM.
 Yes, I do buy bait, but the big stuff is hard to come by and very pricey. You're talking about a critter that happily slams into a chunk of steel that's painted red and white!!!
  I know that some swear by shiners, for others it's suckers. Remember when you were a kid reeling in a perch and a pike crashed it?  Hmmmm...

Rodger That!!!!

[whitetail05401]

I have found that if you do use perch it has worked best for me to cut a few fins off. I got sick of them triping my flags so clip clip. Still wait to hear obout the bait....jim s

[esoxmaster]

Yea the perch deffinately work, the only problem I have with using them is that since they are a spiney fish, in my oppinion, the pike are more likely to take a different soft finned fish if its available. I'm used to spending 2 to 3 bucks a piece for big suckers down in Massachusetts. Although I'm planning on using smelt sometime, I've just gotta take the time to catch some the day before I go out for the pike.

Know anything about using ciscos on champlain? is it legal? where can I find them through the ice?

[whitetail05401]

Oh no dont do the smelt the day before you must do it the same day with the new laws. I know it sucks. With the perch hook them in the back by the tail the pike will eat it head first. I have seen them in the bellies before head first....jim s

[Vt Piker]

I've tried smelt for pike and the Champlain pike don't like em. Go figure...they'll eat stamped steel but not smelt?!?!?! But I've heard that a dead smelt on the bottom works...haven't tried it though.