Using floats for Pike?

[slowride]

Just saw some guys fishing for Pike in a flooded area of a river. It looked like they could have been fishing for cats, they were using heavy equipment and using floats. Unfortunatly I couldn`t stop to question them, any idea what they might have been using as bait? I was thinking that I might go check it out Sunday. I should have everything I need with the exception of steel leaders, so if anyone can give me some insight it would be greatly appreciated.

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[navigator]

we fish for "Jack" (chain pickeral) down here, I think they are related. I think if you are referring to the Northern Pike they are a larger cousin to our Jack. We usually catch the Jack here in the cooler months. I think they will eat most anything that they can catch. We usually catch them on spinner baits or small jerk baits.

I have caught them on live bream before as well.

I would expect any fish you can catch or buy from the bait store would work.

[slowride]

we fish for "Jack" (chain pickeral) down here, I think they are related. I think if you are referring to the Northern Pike they are a larger cousin to our Jack. We usually catch the Jack here in the cooler months. I think they will eat most anything that they can catch. We usually catch them on spinner baits or small jerk baits.

I have caught them on live bream before as well.

I would expect any fish you can catch or buy from the bait store would work.

Thanks, Yes I was refering to Northern Pike. That`s what I was wondering, if I needed to use live bait or if cut bait would work. I think I will do some experimenting, probably use what ever I can catch for live and try some cut shad and maybe even some chicken.

[rwoodhul]

Sucker minnows or big shiners is what I use. You can fish them dead or alive especially this time of year.

[slowride]

Sucker minnows or big shiners is what I use. You can fish them dead or alive especially this time of year.

That`s what someone else told me, suckers, shiners and chubs, they said they thought they were better dead this time of year due to the Pike being sluggish.

[rwoodhul]

The theory goes there is a lot of dead bait this time of year, so Pike have adapted to bottom feeding during ice-out.

[slowride]

The theory goes there is a lot of dead bait this time of year, so Pike have adapted to bottom feeding during ice-out.

Makes sense, I am thinking about giving it a shot tomorrow and see what happens. Figured I`ll use a steel leader with a Gamma 8/0 or maybe a 5/0 circle and whatever baitfish I can get. Think this will work?

[asselin24]

I would use a treble hook. But your setup will work. I would throw out two poles with live/dead bait and one cast either a spinner bait or spoon. I am going to get out the next nice day we have. Going to be a little cold tomorrow. They will be most active middle of the day on nice sunny days

[slowride]

I would use a treble hook. But your setup will work. I would throw out two poles with live/dead bait and one cast either a spinner bait or spoon. I am going to get out the next nice day we have. Going to be a little cold tomorrow. They will be most active middle of the day on nice sunny days

Thanks!!!!! You just saved me from sitting out on a cold, windy day, tomorrow is supose to be nasty. I think Tuesday is supose to be pretty nice, might give it a shot then.

[keepitsimple]

I've floated big corks with live suckers on the upper Delaware for years and caught muskys, got to work for pike.