Nighttime's the Pike time

[Skunk City]

Got a late start tonight with a few buddies on the river. Being the weather looks crappy tomorrow and the cold front to follow, we drowned some shiners and picked up a few toothy critters before the change. Two fish came before sunset and two came after in the dark. No beasts, but a nice way to break the heat. A few pics...

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/20130911_192912_zps11910223.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/20130911_193442_zpsd49d7364.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/20130911_192935_zpsb8994467.jpg

[NorthJerzyG]

Nice fishes!! They were def hot today. Chasin everything I threw at em. Gotta say, that one fish is definitely borderline beast, lol. Awesome!

[Mikeps326]

Never caught a pike but I'm guessing they like this heat especially before the cold comes in.

[iceehot6766]

Best report I've seen in awhile........Way to take advantage of the pre storm conditions....

[liveitup1.75liter]

I thought the word on the streams was that pike only bit during daylight cuz' there sight predators .. guess that's been debunked.. nice fish man

[FASTEDDIE29]

Nice catch! More healthy PIKE from the pristine PASSAIC RIVER!

[buzzbaiter]

Cool. Night feeding has nothing to do with sight but sound unless your a walleye which have "night vision"(hence the wall-eye). Predatory fish have great accoustic systems - for both sound and vibration - to narrow in on prey even in complete darkness.

[jimmythegreek]

great job skunk, nice to see a report from you on the river! those are some solid pike, good size and very healthy looking fish.

and while many fish use sight to feed, its more a reaction deal in that sense. Fish rely on many things and the main thing is their lateral lines. They can feel a herring giving off the "dont eat me" vibe super deep and in the dark, Ive caught many fish very deep and in pitch black, they find their food with ease

[JimmyMas]

Year of the Toothy Critter for you my friend. Nice catch.

[Skunk City]

We have had a few Pike here and there on bait after dark, but not so much with lures. Though my buddy had a nice one last year after dark on a Jointed Jitterbug that took 2 massive swipes at it before smashing it next to the boat. Like Jimmy said, they are definitely using all their senses and lateral line to key in on that classic "oh crap oh crap oh crap" commotion a live shiner/herring gives off. Field and Stream had a nice article on "Fooling low light Pike" a few months back.