Finding Pike

[MUNICH]

I am looking to get into some big Pike. What would you guys recommend for areas and the type of structure to be fishing. Is there certain depths that appeal to these fish? As for bait dead or alive I have heard good for both.

[pikemaster789]

Its pretty much the same with any predator fish. Looks for weed edges, weed flats, or big drops. Try and locate small fish if possible like perch, smelt, or ciscoes whatever your lake has. Pike need to eat. I personally like to set up about 4-6 feet off the bottom. Sometimes they hit better higher and other times you need to be right on the bottom. Ive never used dead bait but like you, I have heard good things about it. I always use live shiners, gills, or perch (local forage).

[deadsmelthead]

Islands and Points are areas I try to focus on and if you happen to find a nearby weedbed and it makes them even better. One type of areas of a lake I have been fishing are big shallow flats. One lake in particular  as one about 8acres in size and doesn't get any deeper 8 fow plus it basicaly has a maze of weedbeds underneath it, with old tree stumps and submerged logs. Lots of junk for the fish to run into an get line wrapped up in. But also very good areas to get into a big fat pig. I think Pike like to cruise shallow around islands and points sometimes right on top of shore. In the flats I think they move slow and sometimes ambush bait. Try to use bait fish from the lake your fishing, I feel can make a huge difference. Small dink Perch, Fallfish ect.

[MUNICH]

Thanks for the information guys, what would you recommend for perch sizes? Should I be cutting of the spines?

[deadsmelthead]

Thanks for the information guys, what would you recommend for perch sizes? Should I be cutting of the spines?

I never cut the spines, they eat em the way they are all the time, I like Perch to be in the 4-6 inch range but sometimes I throw bigger and smaller ones on.