THE OTHER TOOTHY CRITTER

###

During the winter months many people target the Northern Pike. They are fairly easy to catch while ice fishing. You just set out a few tip-ups baited while a large shiner and wait for the action to start. It can be fast and furious which is always fun. But when open water arrives all thoughts go to Walleye, Muskies and Bass. Northern fishing in open water with a rod and reel can give you some heart stopping moments.

Let us start with fishing them in the spring. There are several ways to fish them. One way is to fish with live bait. When fishing them this way there are several options. The first option is to use large shiners under a bobber or fish them on a jig. Look for weeds in about 2 to 6 feet of water. When using a bobber hook the minnow back by the dorsal fin or in the tail. Hooked this way the minnow will stay lively. Set the bobber so that the bait is held just above the weeds. When fishing with a jig and minnow hook the minnow in the mouth and out through the head. Hooking it this way will prevent it from getting caught in the weeds and will stay on longer. Work the jig and minnow just above the weeds ticking the weed tops every now and then.

The reason to fish the above mentioned depths is that this water is the first to warm up and get some weed growth. The new weeds will hold the bait fish and the northerns will be cruising these weeds looking for an easy meal.

The other way to fish them is using artifical baits. One newer bait that really works well is Gulp Alive made by Berkley. Gulp Alive is a biodegradable soft bait that is stored in a container of liquid attractant. It comes in several different sizes, styles and colors. When fishing with Gulp Alive I like to use the 3 and 4 inch size shad in either white or chartreuse. I fish these baits on a jig and work it the same way I would a jig and minnow.

Another great way to fish them is with a Dare Devle in either red and white or the five of diamonds. When fishing this way I cast out the bait, let it settle for a second and start reeling it in. Vary your retrieve to see what the northern want. Sharpen the hooks on these baits to insure a good hook set. If you get caught in the weeds a few times resharpen the hooks. Weeds will dull the hooks.

Spinner baits work well at this time of the year. Again cast out the bait, let it settle and reel it in with various speeds. Some of the spinner baits I like to use are Mepps number 3's or 4's. This is an in-line spinner bait. I also use bass type safety pin spinner baits. I use all different colors but my favorite ones are white, yellow and black.

During the summer months the fish will move a little deeper as the water warms up. Still look for the weeds but now target the 6 to 10 feet of water. When fishing with a minnow under a bobber look for the holes in the weeds and throw into them. Again keep you bait just above the weeds. I like to use the largest shinners I can buy at this time of the year.

When fishing with a spoon go to a weedless type. This has a weed guard on the hooks and lets you fish the weedier spots. Try to fish the weed edges with a faster retrieve. One spoon I like to use at this time of the year is a Johnson Silver Minnow tipped with a piece of Gulp on it for more bait action and some scent.

I will also use crank baits at this time of the year. I will work them on the deep edge of the weeds. I will work the bait faster at this time. Some of the baits I use are larger Shad Raps, Husky Jerks in the number 12 size and count down Rapalas in the number 12 size.

In the fall when fishing with live bait I will use the largest shiners I can get or even small suckers. Try different depths as the northern will move in to bulk up for the winter. Again keep the minnow just above the weeds. As the year goes on the weeds start to die off so look for the green weeds.

When fishing with spoons use the largest size you have and slow down your retrieve. As for crank baits again use the large ones. I even use the smaller muskie baits.

Now lets look at the equipment to use. For spinning gear I use a Berkley Series One 7 foot medium light rod with a fast action tip. With this rod I can feel the fish with the fast tip and it has enough back bone to get a good hook set. The reel I use is a Cardinal 502. It is a strong reel with a good drag.

For a casting rod I like a 7 foot rod such as a Berkley Series one. With this rod I use a medium weight with a fast action tip. The reel of choice on this is a Abu Garcia 4600 C4. This reel will handle any fish and it, too, has a very good drag.

For the line I use on my spinning rool I Berkley Trilene XL in either 8 or 10 pound clear. I do use a wire leader or 14 pound fluorocarbon as a leader. On my casting rod I use 12 pound Crystal Braid with a wire leader on it.

Remember to handle these fish carefully as they have a lot of sharp teeth. Always have a jaw spreader and a long pliers or hook remover with you. Handle the northerns with the same care you would a muskie. Take only what you will use and release the rest.

In closing just let me say that if you do not fish for northern you are missing out on a lot of fun. These fish are one of the hardest fighting fish you will ever catch. They are a fish that will get up into the 40 plus inch range. And as far as eating them goes they are hard to beat. So the next time you are on the water and getting bored try fishing for the Northern Pike. You won't be sorry. Good Luck and I hope to see on the water.

###

Back