what pound test?

[GlareIce]

I change my tip up setup almost daily from trout back to pike.  So I don't waste line I just use a few more swivels and just leave the swivel on the leader, wrap it up like a fly leader and its ready to re attach to the mainline whenever you need.

I use lots of weight on my flouro setup (50lb) and on my wire leaders (still have my old ladies setup with wire as an experiment) but I also use 8-12"bait.   

[tackleman]

Actually it is 30lb test.  They are designed to catch striped bass

[CA1492]

Its been a while but I've had good results on goldens and dead bait for pike.  Perforated dead bait seemed to have a better hit rate.
Ice spikes have more than one use.

As for steel, I've used invisileaders because they were strong for their diameter.  I was glad to have it on for my 42" northern.
I'd be willing to try fluorocarbon it can take some punishment. 

For pizza, I have to go with prosciutto and make sure it covers the crust.

[coldsteel]

For pizza, I have to go with prosciutto and make sure it covers the crust.

 

[pikeaddict]

i like octopus hooks because of the shape the wide gap and how the eye of the hook is facing back away from the hook point, i feel it is designed great for hook sets. That walleye was caught on 10 lbs test, i feel that their teeth are shaped differently than pikes and pike have a better ability to cut the line when they head shake. Just a thought, i have no proof on it haha

You are correct.  See page 18.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ttiYPWa4YPAC&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=northern+pike+and+musky+dick+sternberg&source=bl&ots=bD3GGL5CJG&sig=Zw3W6bMlTLUAKSrKcUqVvuXB23E&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aq_WUvf8G8nJsQT_v4DADg&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=northern%20pike%20and%20musky%20dick%20sternberg&f=false

[coldsteel]

thanks pike addict!

Friday cant come soon enough this work week is draggin and i havent gotten a chance to target gators yet this yr. anyone been out for em yet and wanna share some pics love seeing big northerns

[coldsteel]

this sadly is my biggest gator i believe 26 or 27" caught a few yrs ago on champlain we used to do a trip every yr for the weekend to try for big girls and i still havent hit 30" +  oh well hopefully this is my year

[pikeaddict]

I use both 20lb and 40lb Seaguar Blue Label or Premier LEADER line for pike.  I use Gamakatsu inline straight shank octopus circle hooks in #2 and 1/0.  I could be talked into a 2/0 if I was using >8in baits.  The lighter the line and smaller the hook, the more natural your presentation will be. 
I have had one bite off in three years of using fluorocarbon exclusively, and that was a hammer handle at the hole that wanted to run, and I didn't let it.  Play them out right, check your leader after every HOOKSET you make, and the amount of bite offs you incur should be minimal. 

[pikeaddict]

this sadly is my biggest gator i believe 26 or 27" caught a few yrs ago on champlain we used to do a trip every yr for the weekend to try for big girls and i still havent hit 30" +  oh well hopefully this is my year

(Image removed from quote.)

Nice pike, good eater.  Come to Champlain.  Lots of pike in the 32-38 range, and if your lucky you will find one over 40.  Fishing has been slow there this year though. 

[coldsteel]

i LOVE champlain, if i could afford a house on any lake in the country i would probably pick champlain. I used to go up a few times a yr but with a baby on the way it makes the 3 hr plus drive a little more difficult. i hope to get up there again in the next couple yrs