Hey guys I am in Illinois and getting ready to do some pike fishing tomorrow on a river. The spot is a creek that runs down and meets the river. Gets around 3-5 feet deep, no more than 5 though. Have had some luck with some big pike in the summer, but now the weather got to 30 degrees for a little bit, and now its back to 70 this week. With these conditions, what type of lures should I be throwing or would the better bet to use creek chubs on a bobber this time of year? Maybe the area is too shallow and the pike have moved cus of the weather? Any tips is appreciated. 

Forgot to mention, will be getting there at around 10 am. 

   When it comes to pike, I'm religious. I religiously throw spoons (1/2 to 1 oz.) and spinnerbaits (1/2 and 5/8 oz.) and Mepps spinners (1/2 oz.)  Although it works for me, I won't pretend to say that it will work for you. Try it and see.  Good luck!  jj

Any idea what the water temps are still like there? If it’s still above 50, you can catch them on moving lures. Anything with some vibration will probably work. Just remember to tie a leader on to ward off the teeth.

I'd offer some ideas, but I've gone zero for five in the last 6 days...apparently what I thought would work doesn't.

...I think the warm weather has 'em off their feed.

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

Any idea what the water temps are still like there? If it’s still above 50, you can catch them on moving lures. Anything with some vibration will probably work. Just remember to tie a leader on to ward off the teeth.

Ah so they slow down big time when its below 50? Do they also move alot deeper too? Thats good to know ill check the temps tomorrow when i go. 

 

55 minutes ago, Further North said:

I'd offer some ideas, but I've gone zero for five in the last 6 days...apparently what I thought would work doesn't.

...I think the warm weather has 'em off their feed.

That's what I am mainly concerned with, these odd weather patterns throwing them off. 

On 11/5/2020 at 10:51 PM, Spoons said:

Ah so they slow down big time when its below 50? Do they also move alot deeper too? Thats good to know ill check the temps tomorrow when i go. 

50° surface temps seem to be magic number for bumping activity levels in pike...but muskies in rivers are still pretty active below that.

 

On 11/5/2020 at 10:51 PM, Spoons said:

That's what I am mainly concerned with, these odd weather patterns throwing them off. 

That's a reasonable concern.