Smokinal

My friend's son wants to go pike fishing this year so I told him I'd be happy to take him out. I know some really great pike water (used to be really great bass water until they moved in). Anyway, is there a time of year that's slow pike fishing? Better pike fishing? I've never targeted them and I'd really like to get him on a good bite. We are in Maine btw. I plan on throwing some white spinnrebaits, white flukes, chatterbaits, topwater early etc... Any tips are much appreciated.

Tell me about it...

What are you trying to say? lol Ya, they are kind of a cross between a fluke and a senko actually. I used to do well with them. And, yes, the larger sizes work well on stripers but the regular (5" I think) work well on largemouth and smallies.

When I fish in temps like that I have more issues with icing guides and reels than with my braid. I think you'll be ok.

Fall seems to be the best for me.

So I wanted the ‘ol HJ to suspend a little better than it does; they have a tendency to float up. And I wanted a little head-down profile to it too. So, I took 2 of them, filled the tub, cut weights and taped them to the body until I got the right suspension and look; drilled a hole in them, stuffed the weight in, epoxied over the hole, mixed up some of my boy’s model paint and painted it over. Oh and I replaced the hooks with the KVD Ultra grips. And, of course, I kept 1 unmolested one just in case I screwed these up.

Pie plate of a smallie there Hank. Nice job.

BUMPUSES!!!!!

Whether it actually breaks anything or not?.?.; either way it's a good reminder to just handle your fish with care; try not to let em flop around on the bottom of your boat, in the bushes etc... I cringe when I see the pics of bass lying in the shrubs, leaves all stuck to them next to a rod.

That's an interesting color pattern on that one. Never seen one like that before. Thanks for sharing.

One thing I forgot to mention is how important it is to keep intruducing kids to the outdoors. With so many issues coming up about regulations, access to waters etc... it's extrememly important to keep our kids liking and involved in the outdoors so they can continue having a voice in these issues. While you are out you can teach them about wildlife you see, keeping our waters clean from trash and polution, keeping our ramps, launch areas and shorelines clean from trash etc... The future of our sport depends on it folks.

As soon as my boat can go in the water instead of on top of it. I have a spot in a cove where the main stream comes into my home lake that I just kill em at first ice out. That bite only lasts for about 2-3 weeks though but it's litterally the best bite of the year.

I know we are all anxious to get out this year but don't forget the kids. About 9-10 years ago, I started a pact with myself that I would take a different kid out in my boat once a year. I called my local Big Brothers/Big Sisters and asked them how I could help. That first year I got to take out a girl about 11 yrs old and her "Big Sister"; they had a blast and were very thankful. Since then I've taken out a few neighbor's kids, some more mentors and their kids from BB/BS, the son of a friend of mine who died in an airplane accident etc... So try to give up just 1 day per year and get someone new in your boat. The smiles on their faces will be all the thanks you need.

welcome Steelie

Yup, as long as you're on the terminals of 1 battery at a time, you're good to go. Leave em in and hooked up and charge away.

I have a couple of rods with micro guides so I was concerned about knots making it through them. I have tried nail polish and UV Knot Sense from Loon outdoors. Both only made the knots larger and actually harder to pass through the guides. On rods with regular guides, I use a blood knot from braid to fluoro and on my rods with micro guides, I use the Modified Albright. I find the blood knot the easiest of all to tie that's why I use it most. Both of these setups cast just fine.

I like a blood knot from braid to fluoro and an improved clinch at the bait. Cool site too http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php

I like a longer leader so I don't use a swivel. probably wouldn't use one anyway. I use a blood knot from braid to fluoro and Palomar on hook, typical setup.

You scared the color right outta him!

I throw my traps on a W/M Skeet S Glass rod and I throw my sb's on one of those Clunn sb rods. For a cheap rod, it's actually pretty decent.

I bought a bunch of KVD #6's but I am scared it may hurt the action. The HJ comes with 3 6's but I'm sure they are lighter than the KVD's. Only one way to tell and that's a month away. That's my plan too.

I use 4/0 and 5/0. 6 seems overkill to me.

^^^That's surprising Dwight. I have had to replace all my HJ hooks because of straightening. I just picked up 2 Shadows and as soon as pulled them out of the package I thought, "I'll be replacing these soon..."

Rapala has always used cheap, light hooks it seems.