Pike Up Your Spring
When the long grasp of winter loosens its grip, the season of new beginnings is upon us. This is the time of year anglers are really feeling the itch. The longing for that first cast, the first tug, and it is when they start reaching for their rods to scratch it. Digging out their tackle from winters slumber, pondering which lure to cast first, and the anticipation of setting the hook on their first fish of the season.
For many area anglers that meant getting their
gear in order. Casting small jigs and such on floats for these tasty critters. While that is a lot of fun it pales in comparison to the vicious unpredictable smash of a larger more powerful predator. The Northern Pike!
Pike are ferocious, aggressive predators that are more apt than most species to strike at anything that swims past them. Springtime and early in the season Pike can be found following their forage into the shallow warming bays looking for an easy meal before beginning their Spawning rituals. Anglers can have success throwing fast moving baits such as spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits. You can target these toothy critters with a medium heavy to heavy action spinning rod or bait casting set up, whichever your preference.
There is not much in the way of specialized equipment needed when it comes to targeting pike, 20-30lb braided line with a wire leader is about the extent of it. Make sure you keep your pliers nearby to remove treble hooks. A set of jaw spreaders and a glove may also come in handy. Be careful when handling pike as they are slimy, slippery, and often thrash when unhooking which can be extremely dangerous. Gently but firmly hold just inside the gill plate with one hand and unhook with the other. Do not get fingers anywhere near their mouth as they are full of razor-sharp teeth.
Pike are becoming more prevalent in area lakes as these pesky critters continue their migration through the Trent Severn waterway, coming up from Rice Lake in the south, and down from Balsam Lake in the north. The Otonabee river south of Peterborough is littered with them. In FMZ 17 Northern Pike are considered an invasive species and have no closed season so you can fish for them year-round. There is no size limit, you can keep up to 6 daily with a sporting licence and 2 with a conservation licence. Harvesting is encouraged, and Northern Pike make fantastic table fare, however filleting can be a little tricky as there are ‘Y’ bones you must remove before consuming. There are plenty of videos online about how to clean your pike properly. A little batter, a hot pan and some oil, and release to the grease for some great eats!!
So, this year Pike Up Your Spring, and get out fishing for these exciting, hard fighting fish. The action can be nonstop, and it is a fantastic way to get your season off on the right foot.
Catch you on the water!
By: Mike Williams, of Williams Outfitters
www.williamsoutfitters.com
