Ive seen Massive pike here in the spring. I would never let yourself think they are not there. I can guarantee they are. It may be difficult to get a big pike to strike fishing from shore compared to having a boat. Check everywhere, the leslie spits, the islands, the docks and marinas, and also the bluffs is a hot spot. There are a bunch of great weedbeds off the east side of the island towards the spits that hold big pike but u will need a boat and fish finder to locate the patches.
I would try using whatever you can cast the furthest! probably big spoons. I prefer big bucktails, but again, they dont cast that far. For Color, Yellow/gold, Red, White , Black or mix and match. Also maybe orange. I prefer yellow/black
I also think you should try any big swim-baits, again the trouble is casting these. I think if you find pike but cant get them to strike, the zig zag pattern lures may trigger a hit best. Switch up your retrieves as well, jerk n stop, speed reel, slow reel, etc.
I checked out a guy launching his boat in the fall and he said he catches pike year round. This made me start thinking that it might be possible. His tackle box consisted of a milk crate. His lures were so big, that he drapes the hooks over the big square milk crate to carry them around. Im not exaggerating he believes in LARGE lures, and i mean literally its like fishing with a 3 pound bass. He also showed me pictures of some really nice Toronto pike.
The first thing i noticed about Toronto Pike is how amazing they look! The patterns are unreal, light in color, and just amazing compared to other lakes in S. Ont.. Ive never targeted pike here, but i have caught a number of small pike while bass fishing. I also had one shred up my bass at the bluffs. I think its under rated how good the pike are here, they also aren't over fished like at my cottage (North of Barrie). Every year i get less n less big pike as there are constantly tonnes of boats fishing all day long everyday. This is not the case in toronto and the water is so large, im surprised people dont target pike more often here.
Im getting my new boat this year and will be trying to catch some big pike in Toronto thats for sure.
