Nj Northern pike

[Chrisper4694]

def need to be well prepared, especially from the bank. idk how you guys do it, it's so much easier from a boat. i def second the single hook. i actually tried a regular treble lure for pike recently and it was a near disaster. i'd say at least only fish the big plug lures with a single treble hook or better yet a single hook replaced. for your safety too! they do rolls in the net if you're not quick to unhook them! they'll bury a hook in your finger real quick.

[buzzbaiter]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

def need to be well prepared, especially from the bank. idk how you guys do it, it's so much easier from a boat.

There are spots I can't get too but generally the whole river is within casting distance. I've learned to cast sideways and under branches effectively. Also despite its size, the river is much shallower than you think. Wading out into it - although a little nerve wracking in the cloudy(cloudy always seems deeper don't it?) water as you sink in at times - gets you into good casting areas as well as being able to criss-cross the river from high bank side to low bank sides. Its quite workout in waders so def need to be in shape. I would say that other than the deeper outside bends in the river and where it gets "pinched", you can cross at almost any other spot if your brave. Although even the seemingly easiest crossings are full of twigs and branches waiting to trip you up.

[JDTuna]

Small lures should be discouraged as well. I use large lures and have only had one fish out of countless numbers get hooked deeply (and it swam away). Pike typically grasp their prey, then turn it to swallow it. Using large lures prevents the fish from swallowing the lure. While they don't inhale baits like bass, using a small lure (like you saw, Esox) could allow a moderate to large fish to easily swallow the bait.

I wear waders so when I hook a fish I can step into the water to facilitate the release, even if the bank is relatively high. When the fish is ready to be landed, I wet my hand and grasp the fish directly behind the head. I never put my fingers in the gills. Then, it is quickly unhooked, I snap a quick picture and back in the water it goes (revived if needed). This process is usually about a minute or less. If the fish is a small individual, I prefer to leave it in the water and just remove the hook without taking the fish out of the water if it is not necessary. I avoid touching all small fish to prevent slime loss.

[zhitoman]

You shouldn't be fishing for pike in a summer at all, and forget treble hooks.

[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by zhitoman

You shouldn't be fishing for pike in a summer at all

What basis do you have for this statement? Granted, warmer water temps can be tougher on fish, but northern pike are very hardy. Two postrelease survival studies found 0% mortality for fish caught on recreational gear. One of the studies also found that pike recover very quickly from being caught.

[buzzbaiter]

I catch more in July & August than all other months combined. Part of it is the low water but I also think the fish are far more active and food more plentiful hence their aggression. .

[FASTEDDIE29]

Just in case someone happens to fail at reviving a NJ Northern Pike, here's a link on cleaning them. This is the best method I know of and Pike are quite tasty, no doubt! Put the remains of the Pike right in a grinder or wood chipper and use it to help your garden grow!

Nothing goes to waste where I come from! TIGHT LINES!!!

http://youtu.be/IcwIzr4zqmA

[UglyStick]

Originally Posted by JDTuna

Two postrelease survival studies found 0% mortality for fish caught on recreational gear. One of the studies also found that pike recover very quickly from being caught.

Can you post a link for these studies? I'd be very curious to read this material...

[Mikey topaz]

White meat mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!! Very cool video sick way of cleanin a fish!

[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by UglyStick

Can you post a link for these studies? I'd be very curious to read this material...

Here are a couple. The second study goes into the physiological effects that occur post release. Pike seemed to recover quickly and there was no observed mortality.

http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/FedAidPDFs/fds98-34.pdf

http://www.agrar.hu-berlin.de/de/ins...gicalBehaviour