Our Outdoors: Northern Highlights

When did the disdain for northern pike ratchet up to put them down to a level with rough fish like carp and bullhead? It seems to me that every angler fishing bass, muskies or walleye can heap a boatload of venom into a story where they thought they had the biggest fill-in-the-blank-species of their life on, and it turned out to be a big disappointment – a 13-pound northern.

I can recall countless summer days at the lake, trolling red-and-white spoons behind the family party barge; or peddling as fast as my little legs would go to get the lure to flash and spin fifty feet behind the paddle boat. There was nothing more exciting than the thud of a pike bolting out of the weeds and smashing a spoon and the drag of my little Zebco 202 spurting line out in reaction to the run of the fish. My love for pike fishing has continued throughout my life.

After a harsh winter in 2002, springtime pike fishing was a welcome trip on the northern channels of Devils Lake. Shaking the winter rust out of my joints and landing fish after fish was the cure for cabin fever. Springtime is pike time, and despite all the focus on walleye angling as the spawn wraps up and the opener approaches, anglers should not overlook the reliable northern pike for spring fun. Whether you’ve been a fan since age five, turned your nose up at them for more “prestigious” species, or are showing a new angler the ropes, pike fishing means spring fun.

Pike Basics
When I was a young pike angler, superlines were unheard of. Monofilament was the main armament on everyone’s spools. Now brands like Fireline and Powerpro are on many pike anglers’ reels. With their abrasion resistance, these lines allow pike anglers to fish jigs and grubs and soft plastics in the spring for lethargic pike roaming the shallows, where their vision is heightened and a natural presentation is required. That being said, a strong leader is still a staple for pike fishing. Their sharp teeth are still seemingly made of Kryptonite, as they can cut through so-called superlines not buffered by a leader. Gear up with six- and twelve-inch leaders in thirty-pound test when throwing spoons and crankbaits.

A solid medium-heavy or heavy rod will provide the leverage to deal with any big pike you might hook up with. A spinning reel with quick-adjust fighting drag, or a powerful baitcasting reel with a higher gear ratio will help you haul in bigger fish and adjust on the fly for surges in the battle.

Finally, the lure selection for pike is as classic as it gets. A spoon like Eppinger’s Daredevle should be the first lure that comes to mind. In red-and-white (for sunny days) and black-and-white (for cloudy days), and five-of-diamonds (for something different) a selection of these classic spoons is a must for many pike anglers. In addition, larger Mepps spinners designed for pike or homemade bucktails are a great addition for pike in your tackle box. Jigs with soft plastics, like four-inch powerbait grubs, are a great alternative and can be fished in a variety of ways.

Crankbaits will pay off as well, however, you may want to consider issues with multiple trebles that will result after the fish strikes. Lures such as the Rapala Husky Jerk and X-Rap are proven pike lures, however their multiple trebles can make unhooking the fish a slimy chore. Lures like spoons have an advantage in this area - to help you unhook faster and get back to the fishing.

Landing Lessons
Through years of trial-and-error, pike anglers have learned that landing a fish in a standard woven net is a headache waiting to happen. The best way to deal with these fish famous for their “gator roll” tactic is to employ a rubberized net. Standard mesh nets will tangle in the fins, jaws and gill plates of northern pike and cause the hooks of your lure to bond the fish with the netting, making extraction of both the lure and the fish seemingly impossible at times. Therefore, the extra few bucks pike anglers pay for a rubber landing net are well worth it.

Three other tools that pike anglers can’t go without are needlenose pliers, a hookout and jaw spreaders. The needlenose pliers allow greater leverage when hooks are stuck in the tough bony mandibles of pike. The hookout can reach deeper and free lures from the depths of a fish’s mouth with a twist of the wrist. A jaw spreader is a necessity for opening the mouth of a fish and keeping fingers and hands clear of razor-sharp teeth and sharp gill plates – areas that should be avoided when handling these aggressive and unpredictable fish. Landing gloves of nylon or leather help to further protect fingers and hands.

Reap the Reward
Pike fillets make for excellent table fare, especially when the fish are caught in the cool waters of spring. Fish from four- to eight-pounds are ideal eaters and can provide a hearty meal after the morning shift on the water. The only issue with northern pike when it comes to cleaning them is finding away around those pesky Y-bones located so inconveniently down the middle of the fillet. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has an excellent tutorial on how to get the most out of your pike while eliminating these little bones. Learn how at  www.gf.nd.gov/multimedia/ndoutdoors/issues/articles-brochures/pike-how-to-filet/

Whether you’ve been a life long fan, or forgotten the fun of spring pike fishing, now is the time to get out there and get after them. Better yet, introduce someone to fishing by taking them out after pike – the fish are aggressive, exciting and frequently oblige any flashy, moving lure. With these tips, make pike the ticket for getting someone hooked on fishing this spring…in our outdoors.