Pike in the bay

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countryfisher
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2008/03/16 13:20:55 (permalink)

Pike in the bay

I have heard wading presque isle bay and casting in the spring is very effective for northern pike.  Typically when do the pike come into the bay, what areas or at least types of areas are productive, and what kind of lures or baits are used to catch them?  I have never caught one and would love to try this spring, any advice appreciated!
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    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/16 13:56:19 (permalink)
    Country,   
        I start fishing for pike as soon as the ice is gone (the fishing picks up as the water temp does). Misery and Thompsons Bay usually produce well for me. My lure of choice is a large white and silver bucktail spinner, but the traditional cranks and large spoons work too. I am personally praying for the ice to melt to get after them myself. Steelhead are great, but I need a change. I've had pike and bass on the brain for a month. Hope to see you out there! Good luck.
    #2
    PanfishSlayer
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/16 18:36:29 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Mr.Slickfish

    Country,   
       I start fishing for pike as soon as the ice is gone (the fishing picks up as the water temp does). Misery and Thompsons Bay usually produce well for me. My lure of choice is a large white and silver bucktail spinner, but the traditional cranks and large spoons work too. I am personally praying for the ice to melt to get after them myself. Steelhead are great, but I need a change. I've had pike and bass on the brain for a month. Hope to see you out there! Good luck.


     
    Do you only fish for them from a boat, or off shore?  My boat will not be ready to head out for a little while yet, so I'm just curious.
    #3
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/16 19:46:44 (permalink)
    I fish off shore. I have to work a little harder, but after you bust a big one its all worth it!
    #4
    PanfishSlayer
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/16 21:55:58 (permalink)
    Oh yeah?  Ill have to give it a go this year....wanted to try some creek chubs up there for the big guys, but as most do I get distracted by the perch....
    #5
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 06:16:15 (permalink)
    I will give ya'll the when and where after the bite starts. 
    #6
    STEELYS MANFISH
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 06:24:38 (permalink)
    I plan on fishing for these beast but at aurthur. what tpye of set-up do u use. spinning combo, line,etc... anything would help.
    #7
    maxlikes2fish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 12:50:57 (permalink)
    My brothers and I used to fish for them from a boat at Thomson bay. We usually caught the  biggest and baddest ones right off the beach (11). The lifeguards we're always screamin at us to back up but we always seemed to drift right back.....
    #8
    STEELYS MANFISH
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 12:54:26 (permalink)
    where is thomson bay at?
    #9
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 14:39:57 (permalink)

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #10
    STEELYS MANFISH
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 15:40:59 (permalink)
    thanks, much abliged.
    #11
    PanfishSlayer
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 17:33:48 (permalink)
    I only have a 9.9 so looks like that's out....Ah well....what are the chances of going ship-wrecked in the bay!
    #12
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/17 19:00:49 (permalink)
    Slayer,
       Plenty of guys prefer to fish the bay in their putters. Pick a good day (south wind is always nice), fish smart and have fun!
    I just like the shore better for pike and bass.
    post edited by Mr.Slickfish - 2008/03/17 19:02:16

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #13
    maxlikes2fish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/18 12:27:58 (permalink)
    Hey Slickfish. Seein that I am still boatless and probably will be for some time yet, perhaps we will meet up shorefishing for some monsters. I haven't tried much at Thompson's ( I see that I forgot the "p" in my previous post). I think I might even like to try with a float tube. Whatta you think? 
    #14
    PanfishSlayer
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/18 12:35:00 (permalink)
    Thanks for the pointers.  I'm sure I'll be up there with the boat a few times, but its a long haul, so I'll be fishing it up from shore most of the time anyway....no biggie though, I'd just like to get at least one keeper this year.
     
    I've managed to catch quite a few tiger muskie down here from Connoquinessing Creek, but I'd really like to get some pike from Erie.
    #15
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/18 20:29:34 (permalink)
    Max,
        I will most likely see you if your kickin' around the bay. I'll do one better though: after the ice melts, and I get on the fish, I shoot you a pm and maybe we can meet up.

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #16
    Steel4me
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/18 22:30:18 (permalink)
    Hi gents,
     
    I have been reading several of the posts about Pike in the Bay and am hoping to get up there this spring and give them a shot.  Just out of curiosity, how heavy line are you using/would you recommend?  I don't have any real heavy gear, Ugly Stick 6 ft Med/Heavy and an ok reel.  I am planning on spooling it up with 17lb test, but am worried it might not be heavy enough.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Also, when about is the ice off bay?  I am hoping by early April or am I being to optimistic?  Thanks!!
    #17
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/19 05:01:50 (permalink)
    Steel4me,
        I am running almost the same equipment as you. I use a 6'6" (med light) ugly for everything except trolling. I've never used line that heavy, although I'm sure it would work. I use the same set up i use for bass: 10 or 12 lb berkley. I've caught plenty without a steel leader. if I'm targeting them, I"ll throw on a 6" lead. Good luck!

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #18
    maxlikes2fish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/19 10:30:33 (permalink)
    Sounds good to me. It's always nice to have someone around to verify the "monster that got away"....
     
    As for some tips, In the early season 8 to 12 lb test is good but I like to switch to braided in the summer. Once a big one gets in the weeds you're gonna want something heavy enough to bring 'em out. It is a little tougher to cast for them though. We hooked into one that my bro' fought for about ten minutes. Saw a moster flash and into the weeds he went and couldn't get em out even with 50 lb Spiderwire on...
    #19
    Steel4me
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/19 12:56:49 (permalink)
    Thanks Guys!!!  Hopefully it will be a good Spring!  Can't wait to get out!
    #20
    jim10
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/19 17:17:43 (permalink)
    Some of Misery Bay and along the road leading to the monument are ice free, is it still too early to try for pike? I'm a little bored of steelhead and with all the rain I don't think any nearby trout streams will be fishable on friday. Thanks, Jim
    #21
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/19 19:40:17 (permalink)
    I'm not one for speculation. I'm going to try and do a little scouting with a pole on thurs. If I find open water and/or fish I'll report back.

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #22
    jim10
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/19 20:45:01 (permalink)
    Thanks Slickfish, I will be there at least one day this weekend, if you let me know where you tried I can try other spots. I didnt get a very good look but it looked like thompson had very little free water, it was more in the shallows around the edge of misery bay and down the road by the monument, then by some of the parking lots. Thanks, Jim
    #23
    Egghead
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/20 08:52:31 (permalink)
    Do any of you guys have a water temp recommendation for when the Pike spawning hits its peak? I'm thinking low to mid-40s, but don't know from experience, only from reading...

    Thanks,
    °Egghead
    #24
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/20 19:16:43 (permalink)
    Jim,
        I found open water in the same places as you(the first couple parking lots, and the monument) I only threw a few casts in each area, with no results. My hands were freezing from the 20 mph wind whipping off the bay and i couldnt take it very long, but I may prepare a little better and try again this weekend. If you end up going out, let me know how you do. Good luck!

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #25
    seejib
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/21 09:58:30 (permalink)
    Anyone been out by the lagoons, misery or thompsons? Wondering if any are fishable from the shore?
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    jim10
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/22 08:33:00 (permalink)
    I fished misery and thompson bay and the lagoons with out a hit, only saw two turtles the whole time. the water wasn't too bad to wade in though. then we headed over to 16 mile. i lost one nice steelhead before we ran into the smolts, then the only other fish we saw were above the watefall spawning. maybe after this coming week of warmer water the fishing will be better. jim
    #27
    Mr.Slickfish
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/22 12:32:23 (permalink)
    I also fished a few of my "hotspots" on PI on sat. No fish, no bites. I think we are early though.

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #28
    mikeg
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/22 12:50:52 (permalink)
    You are correct...A bit too early. Give it about 2 weeks of warmer weather. That plus windy, ice free days to get the bait bunched up, and the bite will start.
     
    But it doesnt' hurt to get out and be the first one to find out if the timing is right.
     
    Most fish haven't even thought about staging the shallows yet. Allow the lagoons to get a little sun on them first.

    For my fishing reports, product reviews, stories, and other nonsense...
    http://bassjunky76.blogspot.com/
    #29
    seejib
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    RE: Pike in the bay 2008/03/22 13:16:14 (permalink)
    I just heard a story about the lagoons being full of steelhead, any truth to that?
    #30
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