Pike Lure Question

[antgogz]

Has anyone ever caught a pike on a rapala x rap??? I usually use them for smallies in the river but I just bought two big xraps that are ghost colored and one that is perch colored. I like the suspending, stop and go action on them. I caught one pike on a small xrap, but that has been it.

My next question is do you guys usually catch pike all summer long? I usually only go for pike up until may. I notice that when river levels are high they tend to be around. I want to keep going for them all summer, what's everyones opinion on summer pike???

Keep chucking the perch X Rap, you'll get em....try a Firetiger Jointed J-13.....They love that

[SkillfulAngler908]

They'll def hit the X-rap, I would recommend a size 12 or 14. My go to pike lure is the Husky Jerk 14, which is more or less a cheaper version of an X-rap. I'm wondering too about the summer pike fishing in the river though. I have heard of guys catching them all year long, but I have only personally fished in the late winter/spring for them in the Passaic. I wish it would stop raining, so I can get up there and try it for myself!

[msgdan]

With the low, clear and slow conditions this spring, the pike fishing has been the best ever! I would say that I landed at least 60 pike this spring from the kayak, which is about 40 more than previous years in the spring.

In the past, my favorite time of the year was Aug. and Sept. for pike. Usually the weed beds are all over and finding the slow water near the weed beds would usually result in fish.

The river is high and dirty now, so I will wait a week or two without heavy rains to give it another try. I only use single hook either white or chartruse or a cobo of both spinner baits.

Danny V

[antgogz]

Thanks a lot guys. I will give it a try this summer.

[danyeo]

Are you guys using steel leaders? How about braided lines? If Pike don't care about a steel Leader then I assume they won't care if they can see a braided line.

For Trout and Bass I would think Braided line wouldn't be a good choice unless you're using a foot or 2 of fluoro or mono on the end.

Funny thing, years ago I caught lot's a big Pickeral in the 24 - 28 inch range and never used any leaders or anything, just 8lb line with a swivel. And usually Daredevils or Shiners and Bluegills.