Over the last couple season I have had days on the water when I can catch northerns without even trying sometimes. When you guys start catching too many pike do you look at finding a new area to fish? Or is this a good sign that baitfish are close and maybe the bass aren't far behind?
Bait fish is a good thing. When I fish late fall and temp is below 50, I slow way down for green fish. A lot of time I downsize to 1/8 maribou jig and 4 inch eel pork. Oh and did I mention black. Something about green fish and black baits that work well. When my bass boat is put away, I break out the little boat. I set up close to the area the fish are and drop the anchor and start fan casting. You would be amazed at how many more fish you will catch anchored than running a trolling motor. So if you are catching a bass once in a while huncker down.
Happy Fishing
Its no joke I fish with gmetime and we will go runs where we will catch 15 pike and no bass or a few bass. It makes us wonder do we do stick in the same spot or jet and move to a differnt spot. What do you guys do when and if you run in to this situation
I run into that problem this type of year. I don't believe inactive bass will compete with actively feedimg pike so moving seems to be the most logical solution.
It isn't just this time of year seems like we will run in to this problem throughout the year. This year was better but in year past it has gotten pretty bad.
Buck up and deal with it. That's what we do. Well that and buy more tungsten worm weights and EWG hooks! LOL!!
This year we've started throwing more lead weights. Cheaper by FAR than tungsten. Doesn't give you the same feel for the bottom, but the $ saved is worth a little less feel I guess.
Also, fish structure more than weeds and weed lines. Pike really seem to thrive near and in the weeds this time of year (and most of the year I guess). We don't call them "Weed Rockets" for nothing!
Or you could do what my dad does, fish with steel leaders and have your son kick your butt every time you go fishing. He would rather catch nothing than lose baits I guess.
Thanks for your input guys. I'm not that worried about loosing my lures, I know that is going to happen when looking for bass in areas those toothy critters also hang out in. I was just wondering if this makes you guys feel its a bad spot for bass or maybe just change technique? It seems for me when we start to catch bigger bass that we don't catch many pike if any at all. I also feel that if pike are feeding then bait fish must be close
For what ever reason, it seems like when the pike bite is hot the largemouth bite is not has been my experience, atleast on the inland lakes.
Quote from: MBFT on November 01, 2012, 05:48:13 AM
For what ever reason, it seems like when the pike bite is hot the largemouth bite is not has been my experience, atleast on the inland lakes.
I've experienced the same thing. Although not so much so on the Lake Michigan lakeshore lakes, the fish in those lakes seem to bite wether or not the pike are around or not.
We mainly fish Sanford and Wixom for the most part.
Try repositioning in relation to the weeds. Sometimes pike will 'push' (not sure I believe it or not) the bass to the inside edge of the weeds or outside the weeds. If repositioning or changing presentations doesn't work and you don't want to catch anymore pike - got your quota - then try another spot nearby.
Show a little more finesse. If there are pike you know there is activity.
I don't know what those lakes are like at all but I know pike love weeds and big gaudy baits so I would have to second the show more finesse or target different cover. I do best on anything vertical now especially timber. Easy pattern to run and you are targeting catchable fish in high percentage areas which is important now. No fishing vast areas hoping to come across them. Just my 2 cents. Also some days they want a vertical presentation more than horizontal. Huge difference maker. If you know the fish are down there find a way to make them react. I rip red eye shads... let it lay on the bottom and theyll just look at it. As soon as you rip it up violently off the bottom they will smash it.
I've caught some big pike ripping trap-type baits off the bottom!!
Quote from: djkimmel on November 02, 2012, 04:12:33 PM
I've caught some big pike ripping trap-type baits off the bottom!!
I've FED some big pike ripping trap-type baits off the bottom!!
my adjustment is take the pike home and eat em, man are they good lol and im serious about the eating
For me
The pike let me know
I'm in the wrong spot or I'm to deep
If there on the outside of the weed edge, I'll be looking for the bass on inside
Quote from: Waterfoul on November 02, 2012, 05:16:46 PM
Quote from: djkimmel on November 02, 2012, 04:12:33 PM
I've caught some big pike ripping trap-type baits off the bottom!!
I've FED some big pike ripping trap-type baits off the bottom!!
You're doing it wrong!! :D
I would like to change my stance on this topic.
Yesterday, I had a decent sized pike follow my $25 crank bait. I moved spots! ;) :-\'
Quote from: Redbone on November 05, 2012, 05:02:21 AM
Yesterday, I had a decent sized pike follow my $25 crank bait. I moved spots! ;) :-\'
That's probably the best time to change spots! Or tie on that old cheap crank!
I quit using anything that costs more than $5 out at Lake Ovid for the past 4 to 5 seasons. Too many muskies like crankbaits! Especially the big, shallow divers I like to use through the weeds out there. The muskies don't seem quite as numerous or aggressive now but they are still out there. Waiting...