Negative Pike

[Neal/CO]

Eric and I just got back from casting our arms off for 8 hours yesterday. We found lots of big Gators in 3 feet of water, with a serious case of lock jaw. I think the biggest part of our problem was a lack of wind to help conceal us. They saw us before we saw them. I threw spinnerbaits, Hushy jeks and platic reapers and jig combo at them all day. we only caught small snakes and I only got strikes on the jig combo. Is there a secret to coaxing big pike that aren't in the mood to chase your bait? We aren't allowed to use live bait.

[picky]

What type of jig did you use? When pike will follow, but not eat, I have luck with a weedless bass jig in firetiger.

[Neal/CO]

I usually use large baitfish bodys like a Banjo Minnow or Mogambo Grub, in white or yellow. I also like a black Power Lizard but I forgot to restock my Pike box with them. I use them all on a 1/2 oz Owner Saltwater jig.

[crash]

Try a big Sluggo rigged weedless, just let it quiver a little as it sinks in front of there noses. The strke will be quick then they will spit it so be ready.

[Tom (Mich)]

If you can't use live bait, consider dead bait. When the northerns are negative or neutral nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a whole dead smelt laying right on the bottom. We use frozen smelt extensively in the winter under tip-ups and they out-fish everything - including live bait.

[Neal/CO]

I fish with tube jigs and Vibrafin leechs when I fish these same lakes for big trout. I should have done that yesterday. I always seem to catch nice size Pike when I am jigging for trout.

[Mike]

The biggest Slug-Go you can find...insert a zinc nail weight to improve casting distance to avoid spooking...twitch that sucker along nice 'n slow - walkin' the dog - then pause and let it sink to the bottom...

If they don't like that, go find something easier to catch - like a coleanth...

[MR.Pike]

We all thought the old DYNOMITE joke, was a joke! Was it???? I'll bet the old timers would hav had a plan for the ol lockjaw.LOL The slugo has coaxed a few for me. <;{{{{{<<( Mr.Pike

[Fin Addict]

Slow and slower. Dahlberg divers on a fly rod are good for these types of fish. They can be fished almost like a stationary bait fish right in front of your target fish. Small twitches make these things almost breathe and eventually they are too much for them and they will strike. Excellent choice for larger neutral fish who have seen all the standard fare.

[justapiker]

I agree Slow,slower stationary up to 1 minute after cast, then twitch, twitch, twitch. You have to annoy them. I agree they can see you in your boat I have had to get out of my boat and walk down the shore to sneak up on them. I used a "sloppey pig" (it floats) to annoy them. Worked for me caught and released 10 negitive pike.
The next day another group used our sloppy pigs
and caught many many and very large pike.
"justapiker"

[Neal/Co]

I think you guys are right. The only one's catching anything the other day were to guys fishing streamers on their flyrods. They looked like they were chasing bonefish on the flats in Florida. I didn't bring my flyrod though.