26 replies to this topic

[FishingNoob]

Hey Guys/Gals,

I am having trouble finding out what are some good lures/baits for pike. I hear people saying put a live minnow under a float, but where can I buy minnows in Toronto! Any tips would be appreciated such as what to use a bait, when to fish, where to fish not actual locations just Pike habitats. I have read the topic "Pike and Bass Lures" and have tried some of them, but none are producing. Anything is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

FishingNoob

[Igor]

Hey Guys/Gals,

I am having trouble finding out what are some good lures/baits for pike. I hear people saying put a live minnow under a float, but where can I buy minnows in Toronto! Any tips would be appreciated such as what to use a bait, when to fish, where to fish not actual locations just Pike habitats. I have read the topic "Pike and Bass Lures" and have tried some of them, but none are producing. Anything is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

FishingNoob
[/quote]
Well 1st go check my post in the cottage country section under Active Pike...this will give you alot of that valuble info you are looking for...
but for lures..go get a Jointed Shad Rap in color-Hot Steel ...this is my number#1 Pike bait.( a client of mine got one with like 3 hrs ago fishing with me on that lure)...next live target smelt in either gold/black or silver/blue just make sure its the shallow diver...a couple ripplin redfins and some Yum..shad spray scent.....I use a 12 to 15lb braid and set the drag accordingly if not this will result in snapped lines or even broken rods....and cast long .....also a few perch pattern cranks I like the live targets and the old school regular jointed raps like j-9 and j-11's...hope this helps ya get them it should! Gl and fish on..

[LICENSETOPIN]

Husky Jerks! play around with your retrieves until you find what they want... If your really patient though the minnow under the float will work.

[FishingNoob]

Thanks for the responses. Those really help a lot. Cheers.

[Nick Evans]

Here is a list of my top 10 pike baits I use throughout the season.

1. Rapala Husky jerk
2. Gator Spoon
3. Spinnerbait
4. Rapala Glider
5. Lipless Crankbait
6. Bucktail Jig & plastic minnow
7. Weighted 6" swim bait
8. Double Bladed Bucktail
9. Zara Spook
10. 5" Tube Jig

If you are using live minnows, 4"-6" minnows are the most productive. You can use them under a float or you can drag them on bottom with a jig head or a split shot 4' above the minnow.
When using lures try to match the colour and size to the forage the pike are feeding on in the lake or river you are fishing. In general baits between 3"-8" will be most productive.
If you are not sure of what colours to use start with these colours.

Black/silver
Blue/silver/orange
Gold/black
Perch / Firetiger
Yellow / White
Pearl
Pink

I hope this helps
Good Luck!

[FishingNoob]

Here is a list of my top 10 pike baits I use throughout the season.

1. Rapala Husky jerk
2. Gator Spoon
3. Spinnerbait
4. Rapala Glider
5. Lipless Crankbait
6. Bucktail Jig & plastic minnow
7. Weighted 6" swim bait
8. Double Bladed Bucktail
9. Zara Spook
10. 5" Tube Jig

If you are using live minnows, 4"-6" minnows are the most productive. You can use them under a float or you can drag them on bottom with a jig head or a split shot 4' above the minnow.
When using lures try to match the colour and size to the forage the pike are feeding on in the lake or river you are fishing. In general baits between 3"-8" will be most productive.
If you are not sure of what colours to use start with these colours.

Black/silver
Blue/silver/orange
Gold/black
Perch / Firetiger
Yellow / White
Pearl
Pink

I hope this helps
Good Luck!

Thanks man this helps a lot.

[Release em']

Hey Guys/Gals,

I am having trouble finding out what are some good lures/baits for pike. I hear people saying put a live minnow under a float, but where can I buy minnows in Toronto! Any tips would be appreciated such as what to use a bait, when to fish, where to fish not actual locations just Pike habitats. I have read the topic "Pike and Bass Lures" and have tried some of them, but none are producing. Anything is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

FishingNoob

Also try the storm thundersticks in the 4 1/2 size ( shallow divers, black back/silver prism has produced the best for me 38.5" my first time out last sunday and last year my biggest was 43" on the same bait) Very erratic presentation works best........ people might think your nuts but trust me if you want a really good chance at monsters over the top erratic and the way to go

Another good lure is the storm swim and spin in the perch curly tail. Swimming the bait is 7" long and comes in at 1 ounce. I never you the spinner blade hook up for the lure, just remove it and just use as a swimbait on its own. It's an awesome lure especially for fishing later season for the large girls deeper down.

Hope this helps Go ESOX!!!

[FishingNoob]

Also try the storm thundersticks in the 4 1/2 size ( shallow divers, black back/silver prism has produced the best for me 38.5" my first time out last sunday and last year my biggest was 43" on the same bait) Very erratic presentation works best........ people might think your nuts but trust me if you want a really good chance at monsters over the top erratic and the way to go

Another good lure is the storm swim and spin in the perch curly tail. Swimming the bait is 7" long and comes in at 1 ounce. I never you the spinner blade hook up for the lure, just remove it and just use as a swimbait on its own. It's an awesome lure especially for fishing later season for the large girls deeper down.

Hope this helps Go ESOX!!!

Thanks man, think I have to make a trip to the local Bass Pro Shops!
BTW - I think you mean E. lucius

Cheers.

[fishfight]

Aiming for just pike ain't easy, They can be finicky especially in the Toronto area. It is hard to establish a pike fishing pattern. When the water is clear ,fishing for them is even harder.

Many pike were caught accidentally while aiming for other fish. That was always my experience since they will take lures aimed for walleye and bass. Based on my experience, They are attracted to underwater fish commotion. When perch or bass are actively chasing our lure , the pike and musky are also attracted. More effective strategy landing a pike then just aiming for them with one specific lure.

Pike and Musky have very similar predetor instinct character, many anglers tease them to entice them to bite , or else many will follow and refuse to take any lure. Lot of lost hours needed to land the bigger once, I have seen few Sun bathing at the Toronto Island , but once you put something in front of them, they just ran away.

Those who occasionaly catch them have put their fair share of lost hours. Not too easy to establish a pattern for landing pike close to GTA. Too many anglers and lack of fish is one main reason. Dollarama sells big 6" crankbait lures for $1, work with Pike, musky and Salmon, they also sells buzzbait, just sharpen the hook again. Not all stores carry the largest size crankbait.

[Dewy]

One of my favourite lures would definitely be williams wobbler. I personally use one that is about 7 to 8 inches for the massive beasts, but the smaller ones work well for smaller fish. Also, never hurts to use the good ol' daredevil or 5 of diamonds. Lastly, in March I was catching decent pike using cleos (blue/silver) colour. Best of luck, you may want to use a 12'' steel black leader

[FishingNoob]

One of my favourite lures would definitely be williams wobbler. I personally use one that is about 7 to 8 inches for the massive beasts, but the smaller ones work well for smaller fish. Also, never hurts to use the good ol' daredevil or 5 of diamonds. Lastly, in March I was catching decent pike using cleos (blue/silver) colour. Best of luck, you may want to use a 12'' steel black leader

Thanks, where do I get a steel leader?

[riverhugger]

Thanks, where do I get a steel leader?

Any place that sells fishing tackle will sell steel leaders.

[diggyj]

Husky Jerk. Jointed Raala, Mepps Spinners, the old tried and tested Red Devil, Swammer.

Dirk

[FishingNoob]

Husky Jerk. Jointed Raala, Mepps Spinners, the old tried and tested Red Devil, Swammer.

Dirk

What size mepps spinner? Thanks.

[riverhugger]

What size mepps spinner? Thanks.

I think #5 is considered the "standard" for pike (I could be way off) but I myself tend to throw #4's for whatever reason.

[FishingNoob]

I think #5 is considered the "standard" for pike (I could be way off) but I myself tend to throw #4's for whatever reason.

Thanks any recommended colours? Cheers.

[georgianbaydrifter]

how come no one has mentioned jigs? 5 inch white hollowbelly i find is best ...the air pocket makes the jig fall slower allowing big pike more time to creep up on it. fish it on braided mainline with a 15lb floro leader you may lose a couple fish here and there but overall floro stands up real good when dealing with toothy critters.

[NADO]

for a new guy looking to get into it I would say best bet is a minnow under a float, cant really go wrong with how you present it and it will help break the ice. After you catch a few that way I would say you should try to use ALL of the above mentioned tactics, they are all good ways to catch pike.

GBAY do you use jigs for eveything? lol

[georgianbaydrifter]

for a new guy looking to get into it I would say best bet is a minnow under a float, cant really go wrong with how you present it and it will help break the ice. After you catch a few that way I would say you should try to use ALL of the above mentioned tactics, they are all good ways to catch pike.

GBAY do you use jigs for eveything? lol

mostly yes, be it popping a small tube or minnow under a float for crappie, drifting jiggy buggers, or ripping weeds for walleye/pike/bass once you understand the finer points of jig fishing you can use them for all species in all depths and cover types by far the most versatile bait going. sometimes i tie one of these on though.

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[FishingNoob]

mostly yes, be it popping a small tube or minnow under a float for crappie, drifting jiggy buggers, or ripping weeds for walleye/pike/bass once you understand the finer points of jig fishing you can use them for all species in all depths and cover types by far the most versatile bait going. sometimes i tie one of these on though.

Like the photo What size jig head do you recommend? Thanks