Pike Lures ~ Tricked And Tweaked

[solopaddler]

I've been readying my arsenal for our assault on the Attawapiskat's pike population next week and thought I'd show you guys a couple things I did.

 

The bread and butter lure up there seems to be the larger 11/8oz weedless Johnson Silver Minnow spoon.

 

I had wanted a black nickel finish on the standard chrome spoons as I believe it'll be deadly.

 

Looking around for paint options I settled on a 2 step black chrome finish made by Dupli-Color. A translucent black paint followed by a clear coat. It's made for vehicle bumpers so it should stand up well on the lures I think.

 

After painting them I added silicone skirts, essentially creating monster sized "Moss Boss" spoons for pike.

 

I'll tip the spoons later with some kind of plastic trailer as well.

 

The skirt and trailer will bulk the spoon up creating a larger profile and allow me to work it through the shallows dead slow as the sink rate will be slowed...

 

Here's an unpainted chrome finish spoon with a skirt:

 

 

And a variety of other's painted with the translucent black chrome finish:

 

 

 

 

I'm also partial to 8" Reapers and oversized musky sized twister tails. I'll have a bag of silicone skirts with me to dress these as well. Again the added bulk and flash of color will make these already effective baits even more deadly.

 

Here's a handful I've already dressed:

 

 

 

 

 

I'm just about packed and ready to roll. Look out pike, here I come.

[alphaalpha]

Awesome looking baits, looking forward to your report when you get back!

 

Have fun!

[4x4bassin]

Looks good !

[msp]

Those baits look sweet. Are you taking orders ? If so I will take a couple of the large black spoons.

Good luck on your trip up north. I am looking forward to the report.

[fishindude]

I can smell the slime already

 

Those all look VERY enticing. If I may ask Solo, how does one fish a weedless spoon?

 

Can't wait for the report.

Cheers

[lakerguy]

Nice!

Have fun eh

[highdrifter]

Great holly... lure porn!!

 

I see we have the same exacting standards... If only I wouldn't have flunked OAC Biology..

 

Ya need some leaders to go with them baits?! I've got what you need here dude.

 

Otherwise, have a most epic trip. I hope to join you someday..

 

HD

[addymark]

these are pretty sweet! I should to to find my creative self and apply it to lure making! probably save some money as well

[BillM]

 

 

Those all look VERY enticing. If I may ask Solo, how does one fish a weedless spoon?

 

 

Slowly

 

We slammed them on Johnson Silver Minnows with big grubs on the end last year. Really slows the drop as well, which helps when you are fishing in 2ft of water.

[Handlebarz]

They look nice Mike had I known you were fixing up some baits I would have made you a couple flashabou skirts up for them.

 

Have a blast up there is should be amazing

[Sinker]

Those look good. If your in a pinch for the black spoons, just take a bic lighter to them. They will change colour pretty good.

 

I do it with williams jigging spoons to get that copper look. Some days its the cats meow!!

 

S.

[solopaddler]

Those look good. If your in a pinch for the black spoons, just take a bic lighter to them. They will change colour pretty good.

 

I do it with williams jigging spoons to get that copper look. Some days its the cats meow!!

 

S.

 

That's genius, thanks!

[solopaddler]

Great holly... lure porn!!

 

I see we have the same exacting standards... If only I wouldn't have flunked OAC Biology..

 

Ya need some leaders to go with them baits?! I've got what you need here dude.

 

Otherwise, have a most epic trip. I hope to join you someday..

 

HD

 

Actually yeah I could use some leaders. May not have time to grab them from you though.

[Tomcat]

Just returned Thurs afternoon from a trip to Cabela's in Scarborough, Maine. Amongst other things, I picked up some Johnston Silver Minnows, some Dardevles, some Terminator titanium leaders and some Spro fluorocarbon leaders. Just wondering whether you would mind sharing your rationale for colouring your Johnston Silver Minnows black. Thanks in advance. Have a great trip.

[Roy]

Good job on the baits, Mike. I'm really stoked about the forthcoming report!

If I was running those baits near or at the surface, like a Moss Boss, I'd prefer black to silver as well. Good stuff.

[PikeMolester]

Looks awesome. Can't wait to see the report when the damage is done.

[Spiel]

I can smell the slime already

 

 

 

I can still recall the smell of paint fumes when he gave me a demo in the basement.....

[singingdog]

If you have access to big black zonker strips, try tying a magnum leech pattern on some of those jigheads: it can be a killer pattern on pike. The zonker strips are, IMHO, the best leech imitation going: much more action at slower speeds than plastics. Have a great trip.

[ADB]

Cool stuff Mike.

 

Go get 'em!

[solopaddler]

Just wondering whether you would mind sharing your rationale for colouring your Johnston Silver Minnows black. Thanks in advance. Have a great trip.

 

Like any other lure fished at or near the surface it's all about silhouette. Black is best.

 

 

Good job on the baits, Mike. I'm really stoked about the forthcoming report!

If I was running those baits near or at the surface, like a Moss Boss, I'd prefer black to silver as well. Good stuff.

 

Thanks Roy, if the weather cooperates it should be a productive trip.

 

 

I can still recall the smell of paint fumes when he gave me a demo in the basement.....

 

Naw, that was just a head rush from funneling down a beer.

 

 

If you have access to big black zonker strips, try tying a magnum leech pattern on some of those jigheads: it can be a killer pattern on pike. The zonker strips are, IMHO, the best leech imitation going: much more action at slower speeds than plastics. Have a great trip.

 

I have to agree they're deadly.

 

I've got a bunch of these tied up with a couple different heads. All between 8 and 9" long.

 

 

Also a variety of magnum sized chatter baits:

 

 

[4x4bassin]

I was fishing for pike in the Chapleau Game Reserve a couple years ago and used chatter baits like yours almost all the time I was there , couldn't

keep the pike off of them .

Really like that bottom one Mike , I think thats the "one"

[spinnerdoc]

Awesome mike, you make me wanna start making spoons and spinners again, a question for you, did you have to soder the hooks on the spoon yourself, if you did do you mind sharing as to how? Again they look really good Mike.

Edited May 15, 2011 by spinnerdoc

[solopaddler]

I was fishing for pike in the Chapleau Game Reserve a couple years ago and used chatter baits like yours almost all the time I was there , couldn't

keep the pike off of them .

Really like that bottom one Mike , I think thats the "one"

 

So far I havn't caught a thing on chatter baits.

 

They do look good though. Maybe this'll be the trip.

 

 

Awesome mike, you make me wanna start making spoons and spinners again, a question for you, did you have to soder the hooks on the spoon yourself, if you did do you mind sharing as to how? Again they look really good Mike.

 

No no, I just bought regular Silver Minnow spoons and painted them. Nothing that complicated.

[Whopper]

Mike it's almost like you've been peaking in my tackle bag. Been packed since last weekend with the identical baits with the exception of the special finish on the JSM's

 

I can't hardly stand the wait

[singingdog]

Nice looking jigs and chatterbaits. I use zonker jigs for everything from trout to musky with good results. These are tied on 7/0 hooks: musky like 'em.