Vertical jigging for pike.

[metrojoe]

During the hard water I usually throw out a tip-up with a quick strike rig and a minnow for pike and then hole hop the area looking for some panfish action.

I'd really like to try some vertical jigging for pike and I realized I don't have much knowledge about the type of jigs, baits, and rigging a guy would use.

What would you guys recommend?

[Cooter]

A couple to try would be the largest size jigging Rapalas as is or the bigger Lindy flyer jigs with a minnow or Northland makes both a jigging style bucktail jig as well as their airplane style - both would work with a minnow. A big jigging spoon would work as well, several of them out there in a northern sized offering.

[Gus]

Chubby Darters seem to attract the pike when I'm not after them.

[83walleye]

Sounds a bit corny, but it works better than you might think.

4" dardevle, with a 4" sucker minnow hooked through the head. Jig with authirity and hang onto the rod - strikes come anytime, and are sometimes pretty agressive!

[mtreno]

big black hair jig and a nice big dead shinner. jig it hard with some nice pauses. hold on..... was thinking about givin this a try this weekend for a bit. not sure if its the best way to go about it but its what i was going to try.

[Random guy]

Mepps cyclops spoon, airplane jig, chubby darter, BIG tube jigs, red eye wigglers and Rapala rattle raps work way cool when jigged through the ice.

With most swim style jigs I have found that pike will move in during the action then watch the bait until it stops then strike when the lure is drifting back to hole center or slightly falling.

[metrojoe]

Thanks for the info guys. I got myself a good jigging rod and put an older bait caster on it. It looks like it will do the job.