Best time of day/weather conditions

[Cooter]

Just looking for input on your preferred time of day/weather conditions for pike. Thanks.

[dfricke1010]

It definatly depends on the body of water but my favorite is about an hour and a half before sunset until sunset. Its a very short period but it is when I catch the most fish by far. Also another good time is around and after sunrise. The weather hasnt seemed to matter to me as long as it isnt a huge thunderstorm.

[Fish&Fowl]

Definitely depends on the lake, but also on the time of year, wind direction, etc. For pike and any other species I love being out just before a big front moves through. Generally I like early though late morning and in the evening.

[solbes]

I'm gonna go a little different. Here's my schedule if, and that's a very big if, I get to get be on the water most of the day. I'm drooling just thinking about open water season again.

Pre&Post Sunrise = walleyes

6:30-7:30 = Bacon and coffee break

7:30-9:30 = Bass fishin'

10-1 pm = eat more bacon, take a nap, and have some lunch

1-3 pm = deep structure and trolling for walleyes/pike. Also a good time to fish for pannies off the dock with kids.

3-5 pm = trolling/casting deep weedlines for pike (seems to be most productive time, especially July/August)

5-7 pm = Time for some BBQ and adult beverages

7-post sunset = walleyes again

I strongly agree with the frontal conditions being optimal for pike. They just hammer the cranks right before it moves in. I usually try some spots near our boat lift so I can scoot right in before the lightning starts. I don't mess around with that!

[Nick Kuhn]

You've never seen somebody more motivated to row until you've been on a no motor (not even electric) lake nailing the pike with thunder in the distance when without warning (the thunder was 5 miles away so we were slowly working back toward the landing) lightning strikes a tree not 100 yards from where you're fishing. But who wants to leave when you're catching fish every 3rd cast?

[Cooter]

The lake I have in mind is small, as in I'm guessing 70 acres. It is mostly shallow with a max depth of about 13 ft. Clear, spring fed water although the weedgrowth gets obnoxious by July. A typical bass/bluegill lake with some big northerns.

[Newcastle]

If I had to narrow it down to a couple hours-I'd pick evening-roughly last two hours before sunset. Second would be the 8-10am slot.

[Nick Kuhn]

 Originally Posted By: Cooter

The lake I have in mind is small, as in I'm guessing 70 acres. It is mostly shallow with a max depth of about 13 ft. Clear, spring fed water although the weedgrowth gets obnoxious by July. A typical bass/bluegill lake with some big northerns.

With a dirt road ending at the launch and a pretty good sized creek flowing out just north of the launch? Fairly deep straight out and south of the launch with shallower areas opposite the launch and to the north? I think we're thinking the same lake.

[Cooter]

Not the same lake but I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours! I've gotten a 44.5" out of mine and saw a 43" 28lber.

[solbes]

Jeez, why don't you school us on the best time of day/weather conditions! 44.5" sounds like a nice fish

[DHanson]

The question is when are the pike not biting? lol

[dfricke1010]

This is true I always seem to catch them fishing for crappies as well as muskies all throughout the day.

[ole matty]

morning n evening had done to me pretty good and its great when suns high along the weedlines. its varies on each lake.

[hanso612]

I have always had good luck with pike late in the afternoon starting about 4 in the afternnoon. I rarely catch pike at night and have heard that the big ones like a morning meal and don't get hungry again until later-like 4pm.

10 to 4 has always been slower than early am and just before dark.

The exception to this is on resort lakes with lots of swimmers. I've found a consistant patern of trolling for pike just off a beach with lots of swimmers. I think all the action in the shallows chases baitfish,sunnies, and smallmouths out into the water and away from the beach. These fish are out of there element and easy prey causing a feeding window for pike. Most of the fish I've picked up this way are between 10 and four because that's when people are swimming.