By Jane Mun
It is well known among anglers that the average sized Northern Pike is not a difficult fish to catch. The predatory nature of this fish, along with its ferocious appetite during the autumn months, make it possible for beginner anglers to bag smallish Pike without much effort. Their responsiveness to motion and sound from spoons, lures and live bait contributes to the low difficulty in catching them. The real art and skill in Pike angling lies in fishing for big Pike. By being a selective angler and actively seeking out and hunting the biggest Northern Pike you can find, you will experience a lot of satisfaction and reward.
The first trick to catching big Pike, is locating them. They will always seek out colder water in lakes. In summer, it means they will be at the deep ends of the lake, since the sun will warm the top layer of water. In winter, when the ice thaws out, the coldest volume of water will be near to the surface.
Experts have found that there are three distinct periods that provide the best opportunities to find big Pike. Intercepting these large concentrations of Northern Pike will provide you with the best chance of selecting the big ones. Once the Pike moves out into the open water, it becomes more difficult to catch the larger ones, because they are more spread out. There is more luck than skill involved in such circumstances.
The first window period for fishing for big Pike occurs just after the ice thaws out. There will be big concentrations of large adult Pike in the shallow spawning grounds. The Pike will be swimming in shallow, weedy areas of bays along lakes and along backwater bays in rivers and dams. It is not always possible to fish during this time period though, depending on the local restrictions and fishing seasons.
The second period for finding clusters of large Pike, is when the shallow waters warm up after the Pike has spawned in spring. This when they move out from the shallows and back to the deep water. The third period is when the big Pike moves up to the surface water during autumn, after spending the summer in the cooler depths. Each of these periods only last 10 to 14 days. Once you can identify the patterns that the Pike follows in your regular fishing spots, you will be able to maximize your chances of catching a big Northern Pike.
The secret to catching the large Northern Pike during autumn, is to keep your bait in constant motion. The erratic movement will attract and excite the big Pike. You will have to exercise a lot of patience too. Very often you will lose the Pike as it lunges for the bait. You need to keep jerking your line backwards to snag the Pike as it makes its lunge. It is not uncommon for fishermen to catch the same individual Pike repeatedly. When fishing for large Pike with live bait, it is best to use 1 or 2 pound Walleyes, secured with two hooks and steel leaders.
The author is writing article in a full time basis. He also freelance in writing other articles such as occupational therapist salary and occupational therapist careers
No comments:
Post a Comment