PIKE

[smoker craft]

Just wondering? Want to find a good pike bite for first weakend in August in Iowa any ideas... thanks BRET

[abens1078]

I'm not sure if it will be a great bite but Big Spirit would get my vote. Mostly the weed line on the east shoreline. we have also picked up a few drifting through Angler's bay (north end of Spirit lake). We usually catch them dragging 'crawlers on a spinner. Try some bigger crank baits casting or trolling. I thought 5"-8" chubs would be the answer one day but the small walleyes in Spirit just tore them to pieces. Here is a link for the fishing in Iowa. To be honest things are slowing down with the summer heat. Good luck

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SPORTS10

[1bigolfish]

Well, I'd agree with a great possibility on Spirit, thats kidna why i fish it...ya just NEVER know, huge fish are out there and theres always a chance. Heres an idea for ya, I grew up in the Spencer area and a little fished (except for bullheads) lake in the area named Trumbull Lake can really turn on big and bad for pike in august. This is a very shallow mud bottom lake (7 ft tops). There is a sandy point about straight noth of the boat launch on the west side that frames in the cattail slough on the north end of the lake. Now, for what ever reason depth, bottom, whatever i have always known the pike to congregate ont he weed edge of that sandbar heavily from late july through mid september. Spinnerbaits are the ticket there, white or chartruse, bigger the better. Im not promising huge fish here, lots and lots of 5-6 pound pike, BUT, my largest pike in Iowa came from here in august 4 years ago, he went just under 14 lbs. Give it a try, let me know, and if its the weekend Ill probably be there myself..lol. 17ft blue Lowe boat white Johnson on the back, stop and say howdy. Good Luck and be safe. John
P.s. this lake is only about 25 miles from spirit so maybe a combo trip? Trumbull lake is located approximately 10 miles straight east of Spencer or 4 miles north of ruthven.

[B Jensen]

I would also look to the Iowa Great Lakes, but there are times when the Mississippi River can be very good for pike also. Right now though, in Iowa, I can't think of a better place for pike than the Iowa Great Lakes.

Let us know how you do.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen

[Catman59]

John , I have heard a lot of good things about Trumball too. Is it too shallow for a Lund Tyee ? I am considering coming up , but just wondered if was too shallow..... Thanks might see you tomorrow

[Iowa-ripper]

I would say that this lake is too shallow for a Tyee, I have fished it in the past and use my 14 ft duck boat not the Lund fisherman.-Ripper

[Catman59]

I was there yesterday........could have taken the flatbottom , but opted for the Tyee. You are right its too shallow. Deepest water I found was the boatramp. I just raised the big motor and used the Minn Kota , worked OK. Found out the Tyee can get around in a foot of water pretty well though ! 1 very large Northern bit me off at the boat. Wife got a 16 lb Carp......The fight of the day. It was very windy , so we went over to Lost Island , did better there . caught some decent Northerns and a small Eye.
Thanks

[smoker craft]

Made the trip up north and the wind blew. Pike bite was SLOW fished bays and trolled weeds till about 12:30 then ate lunch and drifted big stony and little sony points caught one pike and 20 or so wallys it was a good and safe day on the water. That was my first time on big Spirit in the soft water season is the lake that low or can you all ways see the rocks stiking out of the water on the points. Fished from 7:30 till 4:00 had to make it to the FFO did not matter you could drift all the way to the north end but the drift sox was a must. Thanks...