My best experiences with pickerel and pike is early in the morning (until about 10am) and later in the afternoon (4:30 -5pm) after the wind dies down they seem to go on a feed. I think the brighter sun effects their vision, shuts them down, and drives them deeper. Minnows (big), spoons (Daredevil, Williams, Pixie - with an erratic retrieve), spinners and plugs all work well when they feed! Caught some big ones (pickeral & pike) in Henderson Harbor, NY and Caroga Lake! Good Luck!