Conference wahoo::fishing

       I fish a place every spring in Derry N.H. that happens to be
    loaded to the GILLS...(nice touch ya) with pickerel.  I think the
    killer lure for these babies and the bigger cousins is a Black (or
    a color to match the clearness of the water) Johnson Spoon with
    a piece of Uncle Josh Ripple rind.  This is one of the Legend's
    favorites.  When I was a rookie like....I'm trying so hard to be
    good.  Anyways...give this sucker a try...it will look so good
    you may jump out of the boat and go after it yourself.  I usually
    let it flutter down then pump it up a few times with a couple of
    quick sprints on the way back to the boat...or in my case...
    
    THE LEGEND MOBIL!
    
    						Legend

       Most of my PIKE fishing is through the ice (never dreading ice
    in).   I have gone a few times right after ice out.  What I here
    is good are the large 5-6" rapalla's preferrably split backs.  Try
    using golden shiner style.  Also a buddy of mine from Minn., home
    of serious PIKERS, suggest large silver spoons with red eyes, I
    think they are called Red Eye Wobblers.  Where is the lake that
    you live on that is full of PIKE?  
       I read an article this spring that said they expect world class
    PIKE to be taken from Mass. in the upcoming years.  Last year the
    record was broke twice in one day, the record now is around 34lbs.
    Now thats a serious fresh water fish.
       Cant wait to see the red flags and yell FLAGS UP!!!!!!
    
    
    I saw a thin crust of ice on some small ponds this morning.
    More ICE reports to follow.
    
    
    Flags Up
    Les

    Les, 
    
    I live on a road that dead-ends at Great Pond in Rome, Maine.  We
    have some pike in the Belgrade Lakes chain due to an erroneous stocking
    by the Fish and Wildlife people a few years back.
    
    I'm not an ice fisherman, but I might like to try for some pike this 
    winter.  The populations are not high, but there are several caught
    every year.
    
    How about some tips on catching pike through the ice ?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Gary

    Pike are more of a cold water fish than pick's, You will tend to
    find them in deeper or cooler water during the summer months, but
    at this time of year they could be anywere. Mr Legends method with
    the spoon works well on pike. I have also had good luck with the
    Broken Backs mentioned before. I hate to say it but what I find
    works the best is big ole shinners. We will usualy rig up one line
    each with a steel leader and shinner, and cast a plug or spoon with
    the other line. Someone in a earlier not was trying to figure out how 
    to set up a plastic worm for pike, any luck?
    
    When icefishing for these  fellows I use steel leaders and will
    set the tip ups at differant depths, then if and when we do start
    hooking up I will adjust the other tip ups to the same depth(s)
    of the productive tip ups.
    
    Rich

    LEGEND, re 523.1, did you buy a gas station ? I'd also suggest that
    you try copper spoons. When I used to fish for pike up in canada,
    that was always the hot color, especially the old "Red Eye Wiggler"
    trolled slow and deep. Darting type floater divers like "River Runts"
    or "Bass Orenos" in red and white were also good, although now they
    are hard to find.
    
    Tight Conferences,
    
    The Bandit (Who'd like to hear more from Coonrectum Bob)

    
    
    RE: .2
    
    Les,
    
    I live on Pascoag Reservoir in northwester RI.  In 1981 the DEM
    stocked 250 pike as an experiment to help control the crappies.
    The pike were stocked at 18 - 20".  In the spring of '85, the 
    lake's record of 17.5 lbs. was caught on rod 'n reel.  Since then, 
    a least a dozen catches were recorded between 10 and 15 lbs. both 
    through the ice and on tackle.   In the spring of '85 a dam broke
    at the state hatchery for pike and they don't know how many of them
    made it to Pascoag Res through Brandy Brook which connects the two
    bodies of water.
    
    I had my best luck taking Pike on shiners in the summer of 86. 
    many were taken in the 2 - 3 pound class and ranged 22 to 26 inches.
    Since being converted to rubber worms by this notes file, I didn't
    catch any this year.  I heard that pike pike tend be like sharks
    and roam the lake looking for bait fish and will stick to an area
    that has good feed till they deplete the supply and move on.
    
    One article I read about a serious Piker in RI said he has his best
    luck on really big shiners and small crappies and perch.  When 
    action is slow he would though out bread crums over a deep drop
    off near some lily pads and through out his bait fish on a dobber
    in the middle of the action.  When Mr. Pike was actracted to the
    action of the feeding fish he would sea V-shaped wake heading
    for the feed.  When the feeding fish split, only his bait fish was
    left as easy prey and then hold on to your hat for some heavy action!
    
    Oh LEGEND, I tried your suggestion of a black Johnsons spoon with
    pork rind this past weekend, but was skunked.  It sure looked
    good though!  Thanks.
    
    
    The Harbor Master
    

    Here are some tips I find useful for icefishing for PIKE.
    
    	1) Buy high flyers for tip ups at least 40" with the flag up.
           Use these because PIKE are territorial and you will want
           to spread your tip ups out in a VERY large area.  When I
    	   go out I will space my tip ups about 20-30 yards apart.
    
        2) I prefer using 60lb test squidding line.  This way if the
           PIKE takes it through the weeds you got a chance pulling
           him out of it.  Also connect a black steel leader about
           12-18" long with 3/0 or 4/0 true turn hook, the style doesnt
           matter but use BIG HOOKS!!  I use black leaders because
           I think it won't show up as well as a silver one, not sure
           about this.  Oh yeah, fill the spool with squidding line
           PIKE run like hell!
    
    	3) BAIT, only one thing to say here, BIG BAIT GETS BIG FISH!!
           I use PIKE sized shinners or PIKE size dace.  Sometimes
           I will jig for small perch and use them if I get any.  The
           way I figure it the best bait is what is in the pond, sunnies
           work great, I have found them inside some PIKES throats.
    
    	4) This is the most important tip.  Make a BIG hole a 6" or
           8" auger dont cut it in my book.  I use a chisel and cut
           about a 10-12 in hole minimum.  I have caught 14 lbers and
    	   if the hole was only 8" in dia. it would have never come
           through the ice.  One day we heard someone yelling on the
           ice,  GET THE CHISEL, GET THE CHISEL, IT WONT FIT THROUGH
           THE HOLE,  then we heard, *$&% YOU CUT MY LINE!!!!
           Dont get into this situation.
    
    	5) Fish in the weeds and shallow water.  Every PIKE I caught
           has been in less than 5' of water usually 3'.  Set your
           bait just over the weed level to make him an easy target.
    
    Hope this helps anyone who wants to try some icefishing.  Here are
    some spots that should produce large PIKE.
    Wordons Pond  Southern R.I.
    Brimmfielsd Res.  Ma.
    Quaboag Pond MA.
    Lake Quinsig. Worcester
    A-1 site Westfield
    Johnsons Pond R.I.
    
    The state has a listing of stocked waters for PIKE and TIGER MUSKIE   
                          
    Flags-UP
    
    Les

    I'm surprised with all this great advice that no one mentioned the
    top alltime (well, maybe not alltime) Pike and Walleye getter there
    is: A red and white 3 1/2" Daredevil. Runs to any depth you want,
    has great action in both clear and stained water, and you can troll
    it.
    
    Trolling by the way, is one great way to find pike.
    
    Ranger Ron (an old Wisconsin pike fisherman)
   

>>    Ranger Ron (an old Wisconsin pike fisherman)
   

Actually....he's just an OLD FISHERMAN!


Sorry, Ron...couldn't let tht one slip by.

    	I am surprised that the Bass fishermen out there haven't included
    a VERY HOT lure for Pike when the water is heating up or cooling
    off better known as a willow leaf spinner bait.  Put a #1 pork rind
    on this thing and have fun.  I have caught almost all of my Pike
    on one of these this year.  Work the edges of weed beds and deep
    drops.  Start shallow and then work your way down.
    	A second good lure for Pike in DEEPER water is a pig-n-jig.
    It can be worked on the bottom or swim it at any level.  Use a BIG
    PIG for bigger Pike.  The largest bait I used this year was about
    an 18" Pike.  I guess he was about 18" when I caught him, because
    about the last 6 to 8" was missing when I got him to the surface
    about 30 minutes later.  Seemed one of his buddies thaought he looked
    tasty.  BIG crank baits also take a few Pike.  

    
    re .7
    
    Les, you may want to add Chauncy res. in westboro and White Hall
    in Hopkinton.  I believe that both were stocked with tiger muskie
    some years ago.  
    
    TBDW
    

     Spinnerbaits work up at Lake Champlain for pike also. I found out
    that along with the use of the willow leaf blade (#5, hammered nickel
    plate) I used a fire tail trailer on the trailer hook. You should
    see the hits you get when buzzin' that baby and a 8 or 10 lb'er happens
    to see it!!!! I believe you can become awful religious real quick;
    kinda like "OH MY GOWD, WHAT In HEIL IS'T"!!!!
                                                           
    
    					Good Luck
    
    							Jim 

    Now there's the definitive answer a Red & White Daredevil. As crazy
    it might seem this baby is a must for piking. In fishing Lake Champlain
    we throw everything at then thar pike and they would throw it back at
    us. But throw in a good old Red & White and  ACTION. We also do
    have good luck with a Johnson and Pork Rhine or a Johnson and Frogs.
    But they can't come close to bringing in as many we have on those
    Dare Divels.

    
    
    The good ol' red devil... lost a brand new 3" one last August while
    trolling deep for Pike.  They cost about $3.95 at my local tackle
    shop, the old guy who runs it loves to see me come in.   Guess I'll
    be seeing him this weekend.
    
    Anybody have any opinions oon how the fishin will be this weekend
    after that freak blizard Wed. nite?  We got hit really hard down
    in RI witha record 7.9" at the weather station in Warwick.  Sat
    and Sunday supposed to be pretty nice and I plan to wet a line
    before ice in.  Some local ponds we glazed over this AM.
    
    The Harbor Master
     

    Actually, with a high coming in today, and a slight warming trend
    the fishing should be good. A front is suppose to pass through Sat.
    night, so Sunday might not be as good. But that will depend on how
    bad the front is.
    
    RR

    GEEEEEEEEZ,
                 THIS "IS" REFRESHING! I TOO LOVE TO NAIL PIKE AND IF
    GIVIN HALF A CHANCE WILL KILL FOR A MUSKIE. NICE TO KNOW RANGER
    RON IS A CHEESE HEAD ER I MEAN FROM WISCONSIN. I SPENT SOME OF MY
    BEST FISHIN TIME THERE FOR PIKE/MUSKIE. I TOO BELIEVE IN THE DARE
    DEVIL, RED OR BLACK. BUT LEAN TOWARDS RED. LARGE FLOATING RAPALAS
    ARE GOOD IN THE SUMMER TROLLING WITH AN SPINNER BAIT IS GREAT OVER
    WEEDS. AS FOR LIVE BAIT, ITS GOTTA BE MINNOWS. BIG ONES. BUT IF
    YOU CAN HANDLE A LARGE LEACH, NOTHING BEATS THE ACTION. AS ledgend
    ALSO STATES, THE SILVER MINNOW&RIND WORK WELL TOO........
                 IF THIS KEEPS UP I'LL GET LONELY FOR WALLEYE! NOW THERE
    IS A FISH WORTH EATING!
                              NOTHING LIKE A FISH WITH TEETH.
    /NIGHTCRAWLER~   
                                                     

    
    
          Come on guys haven't you figured out that pike eat anything
          that moves in water? They like spinners,worms,spoons,live
          bait,crankbaits,small ducks,fingers and especially small
          children.I even read in the last issue of In-Fisherman that
          a 5 pound pike will attack and try to eat another 5 pound
          pike.All things set aside I like to use live bait and while
          doing this I will set another rod up with a Zara Spook.
    
    
    
                                         Can't wait for ice-in
    
    
    
                                           The keg with legs.

    I've got a few REALLY novice questions.  I grew up on the east coast
    deep sea fishing.  I now live in Colorado and haven't quite gotten the
    hang of freshwater fishing yet.
    
    This weekend, my brother and I are going to hit one of the local
    reservoirs.  A local tackle shop recommended a few different spoons,
    but I didn't get much useful information on how to use 'em.
    
    We'll be fishing from shore (unless my brother buys a boat tonight :)
    When retrieving the spoon, what depth and speed should we try?
    
    Also, should we use a steel leader with the spoon?  Can the spoon be
    tied directly to the line/leader or should we use a swivel of some
    kind?
    
    I'll probably bring some live worms along too.  How should these be
    used for pike?  Floated from above like fishing for bluegill, or with a
    slip sinker sitting on the bottom?
    
    Any advice gratefully accepted!!!!!
    
    -Max

    I don't know a tremendous amount about pike fishing, but I know that
    pike are basically big pickerel, and on that basis I'll pass on what I
    know. (Since Wayne Hunter is no longer around to advise on pike fishing,
    we'll just have to muddle through as best we can..!)
    
    > When retrieving the spoon, what depth and speed should we try?
    
    Start by retrieving shallow - near the surface - and fish lower on
    subsequent casts. The reason for that is you're less likely to lose
    your lures than if you start on the bottom, and you'll eventually find
    the depth where the fish are holding. Sometimes, though, I've cast the
    lure out, wait for it to drift to the bottom, then yanked it off the
    bottom and retrieved it in a lift-reel-lift-reel pattern. I hooked two
    huge pickerel that way last year. In my limited experience, slow
    retrieve is not as effective as varied medium-to-fast retrieve.
    
    > Also, should we use a steel leader with the spoon?  Can the spoon be
    > tied directly to the line/leader or should we use a swivel of some
    > kind?
    
    I would advise the use of a steel leader. I've had pickerel cut the
    line with their teeth, and pike are that much *bigger*. It's
    aggravating to lose a fish that way! I'd use a swivel, too, because
    spoons tend to twist the line a bit, depending on the retrieve speed.
    I think some leaders come with swivels.
    
    > I'll probably bring some live worms along too.  How should these be
    > used for pike?  
    
    I'd put the worm on the treble hook of the spoon as a trailer.
    Otherwise, just try them any old way and see what you get. I don't
    know if worms are a recommended bait for Pike - not that they won't 
    eat them though.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Ed
    

    FWIW.........
    
    Pike fishing from the shore is not the most recommended way to catch
    them. They can be found in the shallows but normally in weedy coves and
    not really all that close to the shore. However best of luck.
    
    The "normal" rigging for pike or other toothy critters is to use a
    steel leader attached to the line with a sivel. Six inch long leaders
    are enough.
    
    As for fishing spoons, there is no 'right' way or 'wrong' way to do
    it.The most common approach would be to cast and retrieve just below
    the surface maybe six inches or so. Since you will be on shore and
    throwing out into the weeds I might suggest that you use a weedless
    spoon such as a Johnson with a strip type trailer or just by itself.
    A very common spoon lure for pike is a "Dardevil" with a treble hook on
    the end. This works very well from a boat but will just get you hung up
    when used from the shore. Other shore baits you might consider would be
    spinner baits. They have the "flash" of a spoon and stay pretty
    weedless.
    
    As for worms.........not really a good pike bait. More suited for use
    in catching catfish, perch, and bluegills. On the bottom they work for
    catfish and suspended a foot or so above the bottom for the others.
    
    Hope this helps, and tight lines, Ranger Ron

    
    
    Also try dead shiners... rig then up with double treble hooks and steel
    leader, and fish them off the bottom using a sliding sinker.
    
    Big pike like easy meals.                                        
    
    
    
    Harbormaster

    Max,
    	I tell you what to do with those worms....  Bring Two poles!  fish
    for a few minutes with small hooks and the worms to catch some small
    perch and/or bluegills.  Then, switch to a large Hook (i.e ~ 3/0 or
    4/0) and hook the small perch or bluegill on.  Place a large bobber
    above  the bait maybe one to two feet (depending on the depth) and
    cast it out as far as you can without ripping the bait off.  You'll
    probably want to hook the perch/bluegill on just under the dorsal
    fin. 
    	Then you can set your pole down and keep one eye on it. (you may 
    want to even keep your reel bail open!!)  When that pike takes it, 
    give him a couple of minutes to turn the bait, then set the hook.
    The rest of the time you can hook a spoon or crankbait (floating type
    lure, i.e. Rapala, Bomber, etc...) and start casting!  When
    casting a floating type crankbait, I like to let the ripples clear 
    for a couple of seconds after the cast.  Then I reel very slooooow at
    first, varying it to medium and fast while giving it a few jerks.
    You should see some results, but you should vary your retrieve often
    until you find what's right.  Have Fun!!
    
    - Rob
    

    Thanks for all the great feedback!!!  I was thinking of catching some
    bluegill to use for bait.
    
    I'll give ya'll a trip report on Monday morning.
    
    -max
    

    
    RE:Bluegills: be careful ... I don't know about Colorado but it is
    illegal to use gamefish (even trash like bluegills or perch) for bait
    in some states - seems like that was the case in Mass.  Just about
    anything's legal here in Tenn.  Hey Coonass, they even allow yoyos and
    trotlines.  No shotgun season like in Vt, though.
    
    RE:spoons: I'm no pike expert so take it for what it's worth.  I've
    read that it's best to fish them in a straight line at one depth.  When
    a pike charges, it gets up a real head of steam and doesn't turn too
    easily.  
    
    RE:bait: let the pike run until he stops.  Keep a tight line but don't
    set the hook until he starts his second run.  I guess the pike hits a
    shiner from the side to injure/stun it then drops it to swallow it
    head/tail first.
    
    RE:all the above: Why not call Wayne Hunter at home if you know his
    number.  As has been mentioned, no one here knows more about pike than
    he.
    
    -SSS-

    
    This is too late to help before you go out but might be of interest
    for the future.
    
    Pike attack out of the sun so you should be casting with the sun
    at your back and you will get more hits.
    
    Spoons do seem to be the best for pike and the colour doesn't seem
    to matter although the red/white daredevil always seems to work.
    
    They will seldom hit surface lures although in weeds you can get
    good results sometimes with fake frogs, mice, ducklings (just as
    for muskie).
    
    If you are using a large lure ie 1oz spoon or 4" rapala you don't
    need a leader because the pike strikes with the side of the mouth
    and it won't cut the line. If using a small lure definitely use
    a steel leader and always use a swivel with a spoon.
    
    This past weekend it didn't seem to matter what we were using, my
    partner and I couldn't keep them off the lines. We caught and released
    at least a dozen ranging in size from 3lbs to 10lbs.
    
    Roger

    re: .25
    
    I wish I had been fishing with you!!!!
    
    We didn't catch a thing.  After a while I gave up on Pike and decided
    to see if there were ANY fish in the resevour (bluegill or perch). 
    Nothing!  I didn't see anyone on the lake catch a thing all day.
    
    The next day, there was a full page article in the local paper about
    how BAD the fishing has been at the particular spot we were at.  The
    ultimate in bad timing!!
    
    Oh well, it was fun anyway.
    
    Thanks for all the info.  It'll definitely come in handy (at a
    different fishing hole).
    
    -max

    re: .24
    
    Colorado DOES have rules about using live bait fish (i.e. bluegill). 
    It is illegal to use live fish anywhere west of the continental divide, 
    or east of the divide above 7000 feet.  Most everything around here is
    above 7000 feet.
    
    -max
    

             My partner & I hit the Concord River yesterday morning,
    Carlisle area. I hooked the biggest fish in my life, a northern  
    pike.....I couldn't believe it !!! I'm embarased to say even though
    we were going after pike we never considered the proper gear. 
    I fought him for aprox. 15 min's, felt like forever. The pike
    never  broke the surface, kept going down. After tireing him out
    and bringing him to the boat, my partner yelled, " oh my god, we
    don't have a net big enough", we never saw such a large freshwater
    fish, face to face, on our gear ! 
             All we had were two trout nets, aprox 18" deep...my partner
    tried to net him from each end, and when he did there was still 10"
    between the nets!!!!! We couldn't lift him, even the alum net frame
    was bent. There was no shore line, or anyone else arround, talk about
    feeling helpless!!!!! My crazy partner tried to get his finger in his
    gill but they were clamped shut, never saw his mouth open either. After
    frustrating moments, I said the hell with it, went for the steel
    leader, "PING" he was gone in a flash. Oh well...... chalk up to
    experience, and lessons well learned. I'm having just as much fun
    thinking & talking about it.
    
                                            

    
    	From the old Minnesota piking days....what I found...and if you
    	are going to keep the pike is to straddle their head with your
    	hand and put your fingers in their eyes...they will straighten
    	right out and freeze.   Obviously...if there headed back into the
    	lake...this is not the method...but if your keeping them...that	
    	is the way to do it.  
    
    	Gitzit'  who_still_has_all_ten_digits
    
    

    Re.28  Great story..GREATER LOSE!  
    The Legend is impressed!