A day down at Ontario Place

[MichaelAngelo]

I would listen to Highdrifter. Pike and Bass at Harbour and Islands are unbelievably picky.

 

I still don't understand what Highdrifter said =P. No leader? =S

 

Going in with minnows next time.

[Rizzo]

if you're going with a minnow you will definitely want a leader! Pike are stupid or they are blind or both. I catch annoying amounts of pike using leaders and from much heavier pressured waters than where you're talking.

[Live2fish85]

If your going with a minnow. Get a quick strike rig with a large minnow and use it under a float about a foot off the bottom.

[MichaelAngelo]

If your going with a minnow. Get a quick strike rig with a large minnow and use it under a float about a foot off the bottom.

 

Awesome, I'm assuming a sliding float would be needed to suspend 1' off the bottom. I could use a swivel with a bell sinker to the same effect right?

Edited February 15, 2012 by MichaelAngelo

[Toronto_Angler]

Awesome, I'm assuming a sliding float would be needed to suspend 1' off the bottom. I could use a swivel with a bell sinker to the same effect right?

 

 

Minnow and Float is a great Pike tactic but I have found that at Harbourfront its best to cover a lot of water as the density in the pike population isn't as great as other places. Also one of the reasons the pike are leader shy. Sure you don't have as much pressure but you have much less fish so it balances out.

[Live2fish85]

I would use a leader regardless. Try making a flouro leader with some flouro whether you use 50lbs or what I wouldn't take a chance at pike with out a leader.

[farsider]

I would also add my vote for you to use a leader.

 

There are plenty of big and small Pike around there.

You shouldn't want to take a chance at losing your lures/hooks/bobbers or worse leaving your lures/hooks in the Pike and possibly crippling or killing them.

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Live2fish85]

If you think they won't cut the line either they will. When I am fishing the inner bay at Long Point I get the odd hammer handle going for bass and they cut my 50lbs braid like nothing. At least a flouro or even heavy enough mono will have more resistance to there teeth.

[Live2fish85]

Also don't know if you are set on catchin a pike or a fish if you just want a fish try for some Browns I am sure there are some browns in there and probably more willing to hit then a pike.

[strakey]

When it comes to catching pike this time of year as any fish they are all sluggish due to the fact they are cold blooded. The colder the slower and vice versa to a point. Use a leader and slow down your presentation. Suspended baits, swim baits, jigs all will work. The little jetty at ontario place and boat dock on the other side all hold fish all season so keep tryin. My answer would be to get a big soft plastic swim bait/jig and fish it really slowly along bottom rpund 10 am and onward into the day

[BillM]

Minnow and Float is a great Pike tactic but I have found that at Harbourfront its best to cover a lot of water as the density in the pike population isn't as great as other places. Also one of the reasons the pike are leader shy. Sure you don't have as much pressure but you have much less fish so it balances out.

 

Have you ever considered the fact that it's the gin clear water that's causing this fish to be spooked? If you can see them, they can see you! Again, nothing to do with the leader, lol.

[Harrison]

Check out this new leader that may help you hook up with some of those finicky Lake O pike. Very new to the market, I sold out very fast, but have more on order and coming soon.coming soon.

 

Small diameter and you can tie it directly to the hook. Pike guys out west bought it all up.

 

http://www.tuf-line.com/products_Specialty-Lines_20.html

 

http://www.etackle.ca/tuf-line-leader-10-15-20-50-lb-5yrd/

Edited February 16, 2012 by Harrison

[MichaelAngelo]

First off I want to really thank everyone for all the help I'm getting with this thread. Thank-you!

I would also add my vote for you to use a leader.

 

There are plenty of big and small Pike around there.

You shouldn't want to take a chance at losing your lures/hooks/bobbers or worse leaving your lures/hooks in the Pike and possibly crippling or killing them.

 

 

Yeah that's what I thought before the handful of people advised against it. I'll look into a thinner leader instead of the bulky ones I've been using, but still I'll be using one.

 

 

Also don't know if you are set on catchin a pike or a fish if you just want a fish try for some Browns I am sure there are some browns in there and probably more willing to hit then a pike.

 

I knew there were trout, but unsure of how to target them.

 

 

When it comes to catching pike this time of year as any fish they are all sluggish due to the fact they are cold blooded. The colder the slower and vice versa to a point. Use a leader and slow down your presentation. Suspended baits, swim baits, jigs all will work. The little jetty at ontario place and boat dock on the other side all hold fish all season so keep tryin. My answer would be to get a big soft plastic swim bait/jig and fish it really slowly along bottom rpund 10 am and onward into the day

 

Do you mean like dead slow dragging along the bottom for moments? I find it hard to get the right speed where it's not draggin on the bottom.

 

 

 

[BillM]

 

Do you mean like dead slow dragging along the bottom for moments? I find it hard to get the right speed where it's not draggin on the bottom.

 

Dead bait under a float. Boring, but it works.