How to fish for Northern Pike at night?
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Does anyone have any good ideas or techniques for fishing for NORTHERN PIKE at night? I only have bites from bass and I actually had my first ever Northern Pike bite today. I was using a Mepps Straight spinner, but it ended up spitting out the lure at the pier. After about 6 both bass and northern both stop biting. I have also been trying the Terminator T-1 series bzzbait, but I have not had much luck with that. Maybe its the wrong season, but after dusk I get no bites. Anyone know: 1. Techniques for getting northern bites after dark 2. where Northern go after dark? Thanks much!
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Hey man, I would say your best bet would be a topwate to get their attention… if the buzz isn’t working try a jitter-bug or some type of propeller bait, something that causes a commotion. I prefer lures but if that doesn’t work you may need to use some bait, throw out a big shiner or chub under a bobber that they can smell and eventually locate. Best of luck to you though, Northerns are a blast.
Night pike fishing can be tricky. They tend to lie still on the bottom. During the warmer months they will do this in about 6-8 feet of water. You will need something topwater to create noise to trigger them. You get an awesome outburst from them. Try using a hula popper or pop-r. I wouldnt recommend something like a jitterbug or buzzbait. They seem not to like something you use with a steady retrieve. You need a lure that makes a “bloop” or “Plop” noise.
Good luck!
edit: someone gave me a thumbs down, and i think its because i suggested topwater. Here is a website for you that will back my answer up. The third paragraph pretty much says the same thing in my answer.
http://www.esox.co.uk/pikefishing2000/new_page_9.htm
You need to be throwing a gold/”darker-colored” “colorado” or “Indiana” single bladed spinnerbait. Add a Berkley Grub in black or “dark” color,(for scent & taste puposes).
You can also throw 6″ + Floating/diving Rapala’s or wide wobble Yozuri’s in darker color’s. (If you have access to a boat, “fast trolling” Raps & spinnerbait’s work well for Northern’s.)
Slow your presentation down at night ,and remember that “slow & steady” wins the race in regards to retrieves.
Try to find deeper weedlines and fish,(troll), parrallel to them. Also, fish, (in general), will almost always be shallower at night. Try swimming a “weedless worm” or jig “through” pockets or channels in the weedbeds.
Good luck! Hope you get one!
(PS: The fish don’t “go” anywhere. It takes time for them to adjust to the low-light/NO-light condition’s & using there other senses,(scent & lateral line) to forage for food. There is almost ALWAYS a “lull” in fishing at night, beginning at first “dark” and usually lasting about 1-2 hours. So, if it gets “full-on” dark at 9:30-10 PM expect the fishing to “perk-up” around 12 PM-1PM. 3-6PM will generally be your “best bet” for night-fishing.)
I would try big rapalas or a bomber long A. The non-jointed ones seem to work the best for me. I’ve also caught pike on rattle-traps, the baby bass color. If neither of them work, live bait is an option. good luck