Pike Opener

[hamiltonangler94]

I know everybody's excited for trout opener, but is anybody getting excited for pike opener? I know its still another month or so yet but I can't wait lol. Can't wait to try some local Lake O spots and a certain creek loaded with pike.

 

[Bow Man]

Where I go it is open all year..... . Love catching the pikes.

 

[Kit]

I know everybody's excited for trout opener, but is anybody getting excited for pike opener? I know its still another month or so yet but I can't wait lol. Can't wait to try some local Lake O spots and a certain creek loaded with pike.

Wanting to get out there with ya..

 

[hamiltonangler94]

Where I go it is open all year..... . Love catching the pikes.

Ya I think I know where ur talking about lol

 

[hamiltonangler94]

Wanting to get out there with ya..

Ya we r going to have to try a couple of the spots on opener

 

[rich_ace_G]

well I happened to be perching in one of my local spots and what do you know, schools of pike are basking on shallow water. Caught a perch and one pike went for it. When spawning, they can be quite picky but if food is there pike surely will go for it. Still close so I had to stop when more of them showed up.

 

[[email protected]]

may 1st is pike reopen on lake O is it not?

 

[Kit]

Yeah May 1st for zone 20 then for zone 16 May 10.

 

[Almar]

May 3rd is the 1st sat in May.

 

[hamiltonangler94]

well I happened to be perching in one of my local spots and what do you know, schools of pike are basking on shallow water. Caught a perch and one pike went for it. When spawning, they can be quite picky but if food is there pike surely will go for it. Still close so I had to stop when more of them showed up.

ya they should still be pretty shallow when they open with the late ice out we had

 

[JDean]

Yup, will have either the new canoe rigged up or the Crawdad hitting the water for some pike action

 

[John Da Silva]

just need a new cradle than ill be excited because ill be ready to go..

 

[mikeh]

I think it's going to be a good one. There were several cruising the shallows on the waterfront, just hanging out in plain view.

 

[Bow Man]

Ya I think I know where ur talking about lol

 

[cptpronin]

Got the pike tackle out, sharpening some hooks. Can't wait to hook into some gaitors!

 

[MarksHooked]

I know I'm excited! I picked up a lot of new hard baits to use when bass season opens, I'll be able to test some of them out on pike next month! Do you guys use the steel type leaders when fishing for pike around here? I was thinking about looking at some thin ones, I see it mentioned a lot that people are seen targeting bass OOS, and I'd hate to look like one of those people who don't respect the laws while trying one of my new rapalas

 

[hamiltonangler94]

I usually don't use steel leaders. I really only use them when Im ice fishing up north, and there's a good chance of catching a 10 plus pounder in the lakes I'm fishing. I really only use 17 pound fluoro leaders around here, and have maybe only had one or two bite offs. It might be a good idea to use steel leaders around this time so people don't get the wrong idea but if ur using traditional pike baits such as xraps husky jerks five of diamonds etc u should be fine

 

[salmotrutta]

I know I'm excited! I picked up a lot of new hard baits to use when bass season opens, I'll be able to test some of them out on pike next month! Do you guys use the steel type leaders when fishing for pike around here? I was thinking about looking at some thin ones, I see it mentioned a lot that people are seen targeting bass OOS, and I'd hate to look like one of those people who don't respect the laws while trying one of my new rapalas

I've lost no more than 2-3 pike when fishing hardware that chewed through my line. One time remains vivid in my memory, fishing a Lake O marina, I saw the giant swipe, roll and take off, and poof just like that my lure was gone. Wish I could have landed it to get a better look at the beast, and to be able to get the lure out!

So while I almost never will use a steel leader for pike or walleye, and I used to recommend not using them, I do see benefits to them. However, if you choose to use one, make sure it's tied on properly, and that it's not a cheap one that will break! I figure the odds of me losing a fish due to a poorly constructed leader are greater than losing a fish due it biting off my line. Perhaps someone with a lot of experience using leaders, could chime in on well constructed brands. In fishing, my experience has been that the higher cost, well known brands don't always have quality product.

 

[cptpronin]

I know I'm excited! I picked up a lot of new hard baits to use when bass season opens, I'll be able to test some of them out on pike next month! Do you guys use the steel type leaders when fishing for pike around here? I was thinking about looking at some thin ones, I see it mentioned a lot that people are seen targeting bass OOS, and I'd hate to look like one of those people who don't respect the laws while trying one of my new rapalas

Personally, I use black nylon coated steel leaders up to 12" in weedy water, or 6" in open water. The pike don't seem to mind. I've had little snot rockets nearly bite through steel leaders and 15lb mono doesn't last long if a pike decides he's going for a head shake or death roll. lol.

I have caught many pike without a steel leader, but I've also lost several fish and good plugs.

 

[JDean]

I have found that the black steel leaders are best. As was mentioned 6" -12" length is good. I have used and had success on both the nylon coated leaders and the single wire leaders. I don't believe one is better than the other, but the important thing on the leader is to ensure the terminal ends are quality hardware. That meaning that the swivel and the snap end are not cheap.

I have lost to many pike/musky to not fish with a leader. if I am targeting pike/musky then a leader will be on my hardware list.

John