Trolling for northern

[Deemo]

What is a good lure for trolling? Heading to Devils lake for a few trips this spring once the water gets softer.

[Steve Foss]

Deemo:

Real good big pike lures on D.L. are perch-patterned Rapalas. The mid- to large-sized Shad Raps, the larger original floater/diver are excellent choices.

In spring and early summer the pike will be shallow near the shoreline. To stay shallow enough, you may find yourself casting in the flooded timber, which now rings the shallows around most of the lake. Spinnerbaits would be a good choice in the wood, or larger Johnson Silver Minnows.

[Deemo]

Ok sounds good so far. Ive used the shallow running shad raps before and they seem to work pretty good. We will also do alot of casting they can be stacked up in some pretty anti boat areas. Too shallow and timber for the most part. Whats a good spinnerbait? Anyone use buzzbaits or know of a good jerkbait?

What for color black silver or maybe a brighter color?
How about muskie baits the average northern in the lake is 4lbs. A guy I work with had several over 10lbs. I fish for them in minnesota but usually to keep the others in the boat entertained. If the fishing is really tough we go drag in a few snakes. Gotta keep the kids reeling in the fish to keep them happy.

[Walleye_GFA]

Try trolling spoons... the larger the spoon the larger the fish (so is my experience)... try several different brands, be sure to troll fast enough to get good "thump thump" in the action, and not so fast as it spins.

W_GFA

Also spinners work great, especially for smaller fish (mnumbers).

[Aquaman01]

Never done this, but i read that a heavy spinner bait at 2-3mph can really p*** 'em off and make 'em hit.

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Aquaman
< )/////><{
"I think we're gonna need a bigger boat."

[Guest]

When I cast for Pike, my #1 lure is a spinnerbait with the twister tail on trailer hook! It is awesome!
The best spinnerbait I have found is Northland Tackle one, Tandem Spin Reed Runner (Pro model). Ive gone through 6 already in 2 years. Them pike hit them things as hard as they can.
For trolling the jointed floating rap in firetiger or storm thunderstick in firetiger seemes to get the most fish. But in a close second choice is a: gold spoon or red/white spoon.

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"I got a bite..."

[TomWehler]

ALL Doctors!
Remove Stock trebles an replaced with a Siwash 5/0.

Rapala Husky Jerks, remove trebles, replace with ONE Siwash on rear.

Absolute Pike attention getters.

Anyplace, anytime for that matter.

1 OZ Jig and 8 inch Action tail.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Musky Tom says, lets go hook some face!

[guideman]

Hey Guys,
Very good advice there Tom, I would add
a Magnum shadrap to the list. Big pike
eat Big baits, try the red/white or my favorite, the chateruce Firetiger.
They can be trolled, or cast into wood and they catch big fish!

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Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
Ace guide service.
aceguideservice.com
218-753-2612
[email protected]

[Guest]

Large spinnerbaits and spoons. My favorite is casting large decoy sucker minnows on a quick strike rig and jerking it back to the boat.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[Guest]

IMHO, yellow five of diamonds with bronze back.

[Deemo]

Wow. Thats what Im looking for guys. Thanks for the posts. Looks like its time to break out the ol credit card again.

[Murdock]

Depending on the light and water conditions, a double spinner rig with either bright yellow or white or if bright conditions, a black skirt tipped with either live bait. I like to use 3 to 4 inch suckers or shiners or the new Storm plastic 4 inch shiners with twister tails or plastic imitation shad. The pike seem to nail these presentations very hard in the spring.

[black max]

for trolling a big red/white or yellow/5 diamonds. For casting a good spinnerbait, chartreuse or white.

[Selmer]

My favorite bait to troll for northerns is a magnum rapala, not the shad rap, the salt water version, about 8 inches long and skinny, pretty good sized lip. Even the smaller pke absolutely try to destroy this bait, I caught a 13 pounder on it last summer and it almost took my whole rod, make sure you use heavy tackle and hang on tight! Run it as fast as you can without it tumbling and surfacing.
Selmer