To catch active pike I found it productive to RIP the lure FAST through the water rather than dragging sit slowly. In weeded areas use a big ol' spoon and rip it across the top of the weeds. Pike are masters at lurking and shooting out to get a bait. I've seen them jump a foot out of the water when attacking a bait. Mepps and other spinners work great for this application. The other option when fishing weeds for pike is to "dance" a softbait in and out of the openings in the weed bed. You'll also get nice suprises like walleye and bass working the soft bait in this manner.
A suspended minnow under a float, quick strike or slowly sinking to the bottom also works, but would be more or a tactic to use around structure like rocks, shoals or open water in my opinion.
Try giving you're lures some extra speed when you around the weeds, I've found subtlety doesn't always help when pike fishing.