Belgrade lake for pike

[Ice max]

I'm going up Belgrade lakes for 3 days next week chasing  sum pike the bait shop has 10-12" suckers  I'm fishing sum alive and dead my question to u pike guys what's the best way to fish big dead suckers for pike

[PeterSaloom]

You will see a variety of answers to this. Some people will say Quick Strikes others will use one hook. I think the most important thing with a dead bait is to get it in the right spot. Remember you don't have the advantage of a living shiner moving around and grabbing attention. So get it to the right depth and in the right spot on the lake. Do some homework and look at the charts. Pick an area you think hold potential for you. Good luck.

[pmaloney86]

I like to fish dead stuff laying on the bottom or very close to it if there are weeds.  I'd also suggest a steel leader since you are specifically targeting pike and a big strong treble hook right in the middle of the sucker.  But yes you will see a variety of answer.

[Jschumacher]

I fish that size sucker often. Usually right on or just off the bottom. Also use steel leaders.

[Dsouth883]

Fresh killed sucker’s nose down a few inches off the bottom gets my vote. 

[lowaccord66]

Fish them all dead, the big pike are now beginning the gear up for the spawn and will readily eat a dead bait first as its less effort to capture one and its been well studied that big pike target decomposing dead fish as they digest then much quicker than a fresh one. 

Currently this is how I am after them....you can increase your chances of landing a pike by using live baits mixed in, but 9 out of 10 times the bug girls will eat dead bait this type of year.

Also head that nose down advise...this is who the european pro's do it, feeding goldens in particular are found in a nose down position.