Help with rig?

[bonasa]

I'm new to Minnesota and pike fishing. I used to catch panfish as a kid but that's about the extent of my fishing experience. I can't resist all the fishing possibilites around here though and would like to try catching some northerns.

Could someone be kind enough to tell me what kind of setup I need and how to rig it. I'll be fishing from shore and fishing docks using live bait.

I was watching these guys at a pier and they were fishing with shiners. All I could tell is that the shiners were about6" long and they had some kind of torpedo shaped bobber (weight?) that was almost a foot long. Whatever it was it took the bait down below the surface. I'd like a similar set up, since it seemed to be working pretty well for these guys.

What kind of rod would be best for this kind of fishing? Any particular way to rig the hook, leader, and weight? Any particular bait fish work better than others? I'll mainly be fishing the lakes in Carver county.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Mike

[cableguy031]

Mike,

What area are you in? I could give you a few pointers here and there. I'm in St. Paul.

[bonasa]

I'm in Richfield by Lynsdale and 494. Thanks for the response!

Mike

[10,000 Casts]

do you need help with your rod and reel or live bait rig or both?

John

[10,000 Casts]

baitcasting and spinning will both be fine for live bait. I would go with a 6 1/2 ft or 7 ft rod in a Medium heavy action. You don't need to spend a ton of money on the rod but I would suggest something graphite in an IM6 or IM7. If you are doing all shore fishing, just remember that a shorter rod is easier to navigate through the woods but might not cast as far as a longer rod.

On a spinning reel, I like Fireline, a 14 or 20 lb will do. (Keep in mind the line capacity on the reel) On baitcasting I would use Power Pro or Stren Super Braid in a 20 lb on a low profile and 50 lb on a barrel style. The only reason that I would go with a bait caster for this situation is for the bait clicker.

It sounds like you want to use bigger minnows so you will need more weight. A medium heavy rod will be rated up to 1 oz. 1oz might not be enough for some rivers but it will be fine for lakes. (You won't need that much for teh lakes)

The guys that you saw must have been using a slip bobber of sorts.. was is foam?

If it were me I would get a couple of Thill Big Fish sliders. They are a little expensive, ($7) but they will last forever. It is a slip bobber so you will need some slip knots.

I would then throw on a slip sinker.. 3/8oz should be enough. and tie it off to a swivil.

I would then put on a 12" 30 lb steel leader.

For a hook, there is lots of options, but I would go with a 1/0 treble... or a 2/0 circle hook with a stinger hook attached.

Shiners are good. So are Sucker Minnows. And Chubs might be worth a try as well.

Hope this helps,

John

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

---

... or a 2/0 circle hook with a stinger hook attached.

---

John -

What are you talking about here? This seems to me like bad advice as a circle hook is meant to be swallowed. I may be wrong, but I assume you are talking about a treble stinger? Adding a stinger treble and letting them swallow that is a very bad idea if you are interested in possibly releasing any fish you hook.

Am I offbase with what you are talking about here?

[VMS]

Quote:

---

For a hook, there is lots of options, but I would go with a 1/0 treble... or a 2/0 circle hook with a stinger hook attached.

---

John, also, unless the treble hook has been made with a spinner attatched to it as a separate item from the line, it would be illegal as well since it would be considered more than one hook. With the spinner attatched somehow (via line or wire) that is separate from the main fishing line you would then have an artificial rig which would then be legal.

The circle hook situation would also be considered illegal unless there is a spinner or something attatched to it. It kind of falls under the quick strike rig idea that needs something else other than just wire/line or hooks to be considered artifical and be allowed to have more than a single hook

What I would suggest is a simple single hook about 2/0 hooked under the dorsal fin of the shiner, or a small quick strike rig with a spnner attatched to it.

Steve

[10,000 Casts]

Luke,

I just threw out a name of a hook. Personally I think that any hook will work. I have used circle hooks in the past without problems as long as the fish doesn't have it in their mouth for long periods on time. And yes, I was talking about a treble stinger.

VMS,

Is that the regulation all the time or just for Tip-up rigs?

John

[10,000 Casts]

My bad, it is the whole season. I thought that it was just tip ups for some reason. Thanks for the correction and the reminder.

John