Opened the pike fishing season in the Kawarthas, my spring pike jerkbaits

JB there is lots of good information in your post - thanks for finding time to do it.

Lot's of good lures there as well, I would maybe just add Rapala Husky Jerk to the list.

All the best,
Peja

Thanks, Peja. I appreciate your kind words.

I used to fish Rapala husky jerk a LOT in the past and it's definitely catches fish, that's for sure.

the reason I do not fish it often anymore is that it does not have internal weight transfer system inside like in modern favorites and therefore it does not cast well in the windy conditions.

This was a fantastic post. Wow thanks! Magazine worthy..

Thank-you so much for taking the time to compile this.

This is what this forum is all about. Enjoyed this read thoroughly...

I generally start fishing for pike later in May and June, but I have observed on a few occasions when I am lucky enough to stubble upon them - tight schools of pike in relatively small areas. Tons of fun when I do, as it's usually fish after fish. I mostly use slowly retrieved spinners and spinner baits. I have some of the jerk baits pictured, one exactly the same as yours (perch x-rap with orange feather tail). I have caught some pike on it, but i know for certain I fish them way too fast after reading your reports over the years.

Thanks again for this summary..

Thanks, Jerry, I appreciate it.

Last two years I switched to almost exclusive walleye fishing so will start my walleye season this year again when it opens on the second Saturday in May in zone 16 and 17, but will fish for pike occasionally too.

If you fish for pike from Mid-May, which is late post-spawn, the pike is very active and hungry this time of year so faster retrieves and shorter pauses are Ok.

When the bite slows down for example mid-day or due to cold front, then you need to slow down as well and use some more finesse presentations and longer pauses using the jerks.

Have a great season and hopefully you can get on the water more often this year.

Thanks, Jerry, I appreciate it.

Last two years I switched to almost exclusive walleye fishing so will start my walleye season this year again when it opens on the second Saturday in May in zone 16 and 17, but will fish for pike occasionally too.

If you fish for pike from Mid-May, which is late post-spawn, the pike is very active and hungry this time of year so faster retrieves and shorter pauses are Ok.

When the bite slows down for example mid-day or due to cold front, then you need to slow down as well and use some more finesse presentations and longer pauses using the jerks.

Have a great season and hopefully you can get on the water more often this year.

Yes in the past year I haven't been able to get out fishing at all, on account of a change in the family status.. I'm a dad... LOL.. I posted an announcement on the Simcoe forum.. Hopefully this summer I can get the boat out again. cheers...

Thanks a lot, JB, for putting so much effort and sharing your knowledge.

JB, are using wire leaders or heavy flouro? If I recall did you make your own?

Thanks , RM.
I hope it was some useful info .

Hi WF,
For average size pike I mostly use home made steel leaders made from guitar strings .

When fishing for musky or trophy pike I use 0.8-1 mm fluoro leader or thicker titanium wire leader

The steel guitar strings can hold a good sized fish too but they can fairly easily bend so I make a whole bunch of them in the off season and change often

From one guitar E string at a cost of about $2 I can make 3-4 leaders of around 8-15 inches each

These are the steel string singles I buy (sizes 15,16,17 - around - 0.35 mm to 0.48 mm gauge ) at the music store :

Just made a few more leaders today so just need to put a snap and they are good to go

Great post JB....I fish for pike a lot and can really relate to what you have put in this post. There is some real good info in there that is a shortcut for getting a good start on pike fishing.

Arnie

Fantastic post.. tons of information. Knew some of it, but learn a lot too.
You keep posting like this, say on a monthly basis, I'll cancel my mag subscription...lol.
Thanks for taking the time in posting and sharing your Pike fishing experiences.
Posts like this makes this particular forum indispensable.

Cheers,

Arnie, Fozzy. thank you.

If I have time, later in May i might post about some of my summer and fall pike jerks but we shall see, so don't cancel your subscriptions yet

Looking forward to that segment.

Arnie

Went to another lake in zone 17 (Not Balsam) for pike .
First 4 hours - not even a nibble . The water level is high. Eventually found pike in shallow close to reeds and shallow grass and caught 6 , with a couple decent 5 lb ones .