Ice Fishing for Nothern Pike

[master_angler11]

Ice fishing for Northern Pike is one of the most exciting species to target.

They are aggressive predators. They will take almost anything you offer them, including ice transducers. (Voice of experience here:>)

Most people use "tip-ups" when ice fishing for Northern Pike, although jigging will work also.

Northern Pike tend to be loners, and are found anywhere in the water column. Fishing 1-4 feet just below the ice is a good place to start.

Use large, sharp hooks.

Northern Pike are toothy-creatures so if you want to actually land (ice) one, you will need a steel leader on the end of your ice fishing line.

Watch those teeth if you actually land one. Those teeth can rip your hand up pretty bad and there are germs and bacteria in the saliva that can cause quite an infection.

Sometimes the Northern Pike will just tug at your line...just a little. Play it out. Be careful that you have the right line and make sure that you have your drag set correct.

[dragonflag]

Confermed. Northerns are a riot. Call them Gators, slimers, snot-rockets, what ever- the bottom line is FUN!
Though I will agree a steel leader will keep them from biteing off, they also will keep your strike percentage down (Bites). I like to use the so called "super lines" but only as a leader line. Fire Line is one good example, spider wire is good too. I just dont like it in the reel.
I like 12 -14 inches of fireline, 2 -4 pounds test over what your using on the reel, barrel swivel, sinker - line through is fine, as long as it's over the swivel and cant drop all the way down to the hook.
With this "lighter" presentation, concider this- Hook a shiner minnow upside down. No, I'm not nuts. hook it upside down, through the vent, along (not through) the backbone, and out twards the tail. This done the shiner is constantly moveing in an effort to keep "rite". with a steel leader, this wouldent be hapening. I run my bait down about 2 feet off the bottom, (I will tolerate an ocasonal walleye)
Even the super line wont stay super forever, change the leader line if it looks worn or rake'd.
Skoll Pavisken!

[Mahumba]

I like to jig for pike using plastics or large hair jigs. I also use super lines as I get a more positive hook set with the larger hooks.

Roger

[Greenheart]

Have the Lime Kilns frozen over yet Pingu?

[..::Pike Pirate::..]

wouls these northern pike be esox lucius? or are they something different?

[wellyfish]

intrested info lads , hopefully when you catch one you could post a piccie for us

[Omahayank]

Originally Posted by ..::Pike Pirate::..

wouls these northern pike be esox lucius? or are they something different?

Yes, esox lucius