ice out st.lawrence pike fishing

[mike rousseau]

hi everyone...just seeing if this site can prve to be usefull...im looking for some advice on fishing for pike on the st.lawrence river in early spring...im putting my boat in tomorow and i thought i would try some pike fishing...there is still ice on most of the bays but some are open... i guess im wondering about typical structure for this situation and possible lures to try...i was thinking soft plastics in an area that has pike in the winter...

 

Any thoughts...please

[diggyj]

Suspending crankbaits with a very slow presentation. Look for rocks as they retain heat and will draw pike in.

 

Dirk

[mike rousseau]

thanks diggyj...

 

ive decided to bail on the perch and focuss totaly on pike... a couple people have told me to use suspended twitch baits at a very slow pace...anyways hope to come back with good results this afternoon

 

 

mike

[msp]

Even if the typical spawning bays are still frozen over, focus on the first main drop off into deeper water adjacent to the spawning bays. They might be staging out there. Ussually suspending jerkbaits such as husky jerks or deep down husky jerks will work well. The key is to work the bait pretty slow with long pauses. Some fish in your area might already be spawning so getting them to bite may be tough. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

[mike rousseau]

thanks everyone...i havent had any luck yet but my friend seems to be doing well in the same spots so i think i need to work on my techniques...im seeing tons of fish but cant trigger a strike...

[Raf]

north shores (south facing) with dark bottoms attract the most sun & heat -- and for longer periods of time than their northern facing counterparts. focus on these, the fish will be attracted to them.

 

the jerkbaits are the bait of choice but dont forget about a good ole jig with a big piece of rubber either.

[cranks bait]

I was on the Larry last night. Most of the ice is gone. I tried for a couple of hours using husky jerks and got nothing. My girlfriend was jigging for perch at the same time. We didn't get anything. I have a couple of buddies that can catch a pike in a mud puddle I'm sure. They have landed a couple of ten pounders just to rub it in my face. I'm just not used to fishing this early. The spot I wanted to go to was too far for now.

 

It sure did feel good to be back in the boat again