Northern Pike Opener

[beatuplund]

On many lakes northern pike and bass occupy the same areas, eat the same food, and will go after the same type of baits. How do you fish for pike between the opener and the bass opener (a 2 week period in MN) without inadvertently "targeting" bass? Aren't pike-sized baits going to draw a response from spawning / territorial bass? For this reason, shouldn't the bass and northern pike openers be the same? Just wondering how to fish this time period without stepping on any toes, legally or ethically.

[DUCKJ]

This is a very good but tough question. I as a musky angler use some prety big baits and I use the same baits for pike. And yes ive even boated Bass on some of these lure as well. Even though you are fishing for one fish you always have a chance at another. If you know that Bass are spawning in an area dont fish it. Kinda on the same lines as Im fishing for pike on a known Musky lake before Musky season opens. Toss bigger baits and hope for the best. Stay away from Bass beds and spawning areas is about all I can say. I know people that go out and say, Im fishing for pike when there realy for Bass and same goes for fishing for pike but realy fishing for Muskies. Personaly it wouldnt hurt my feelings if they opened pike the same time as Muskies and maby Bass for that matter. Whats one week? No real win win situation.

[ole matty]

well we cant write the post it note on lure that say" bass dont eat this please!" i will be fishing for northern pikes this wknd.. if i caught bass i will release it right away...

[buzzin for bass]

Any one have particular lures or styles of fishing that would be more likly to catch pike at this time of year than bass? I always try to lean towards more agressive presentations (burning baits, large baits, etc.) figuring that since the pike are long past spawn they should be more active and more willing to chase something down than a bass that is right in or shortly after the spawn. Does that logic make sense to anyone or am I going about this all wrong? Obviously no lizards while sighting fishing spawning beds but what are some presentations that lend themselves to being more likly to catch pike over bass at this time of year.

[nofishfisherman]

I like spoons for pike, bass seem less likely to go for them from my experience.

[DUCKJ]

Spoons would be good. Dont think ive ever boated a bass on a spoon. Good pike spoons for me are the KB and a Red Eye Wiggler. I do toss a spoon that looks like a Red Eye but I cant for the life of me think of the name!!! Man I hate that. Ill think of it when I go to bed.

[buzzin for bass]

Thanks for the spoon reminder. I've got a few johnson silver minnows and maybe even a daredevil or two that haven't seen the light of day of for a couple years now. I'll have to break them out and see if I can convince a pike to bite.

[Random guy]

Big spoons and big cranks is about the only way to help stay away from the bass. Remember a pike will consume prey up to 30% of its size so a 8" crank or monster sized spoon will produce. Not to mention it will help weed out the little snot rockets.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Early season I like to drag (yes literally drag) a big honkin daredevil or silver spoon with a trailer right through the mud. Bass leave it alone and the bigger pike will inhale the lure. Down here most of the lakes have a fairly silty bottom so finding mud isn't a problem.

[nofishfisherman]

I am a big fan of a gold and orange "Little Cleo", always catches fish. A Johnson silver minnow isn't a bad choice either with or without a trailer.

I have caught a few bass on both baits in the past but they are few and far between.

[drdr]

Good suggestion about the spoons. We were out for the opener using spinners and rapalas. We caught 4 bass (released of course) and only one pike. I will try the spoons when I get out again to see if they are more selective for pike.