11-Mile Pike

[Neal/CO]

Hiked into the two far NE bays at 11-mile on Sunday. Left my flyrod and light spinning gear at home so I couldn't get distracted by trout. Pike were all over the place in shallow water but were very skittish! Caught a few smaller Pike on spinnerbaits and Husky Jerks. Finally about 3:00 PM I caught two decent fish around 30" on a flipping jig with a powercraw trailer, which I released. I kept four of the smaller fish to eat. I had lots of bigger fish follow my baits in, but they were very wary! Maybe if I were in a boat that figure eight move at the side of the boat would convert more fish?

[Steve CO]

A recent In-Fisherman article basically says you should have taken your fly rod. It claimed that at some far north lodges, the guides are happy to see the fly fishers with bunny leeches etc. because the pike that are wary in the shallows are spooked by the usual heavy stuff and want more subtle flies or plastics. Sounds like it was fun anyway. Good luck on your Va trip.

[Neal/CO]

Thanks Steve!

I also had thunderstorms moving thru all day and that always seems to mess it up some? Just switching from hardware to jigs made a huge difference. They definately weren't in a chasing mood!

[Steve CO]

I have been catching lots of bass in my lake and hooked and lost a walleye that was at least 23-24 inches last Thursday eve. Still waiting for one of those big tigers to get hungry for something on my line.

[YurHomie]

Why didn't you take your boat?

[Neal/CO]

It is really just a ski boat. No electric motor or trolling motor. I haven't even taken it out yet this year. The Pike were so shallow I was ok just wading!

[Neal/CO]

I have fished about a half dozen times over at Quincy so far and haven't even seen a Tiger yet, let alone caught one. Even the bass fishing has been kinda slow! The Ranger said we need about a week of hot weather to really get them going?

[YurHomie]

Don't say the S word Neal!!!