Questions about ice fishing for pike

[minnesotafisherman]

Hi,

I have ice fished a few times before but now I am going to get into it this winter. I was wondering what any of you out there use for pike. I mainly fish from my boat in the summer so it is different catching pike in the winter. The lake by my house is known (to the locals) for some big walleye and pike so I thought I would give it a try. My other question is where are the pike located during the winter? I mean the depth and habitat.

[JUSTINM]

THERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO PULL A PIKE THROUGH THE ICE. THE MOST COMMON WAY WOULD BE TIP UPS. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH TIP UPS YOU CAN CHECK UP ON THEM AT WWW.ICEFISH.COM THE HT WEB SITE HAS A GREAT SET OF DEMO VIDEOS. SOME OF THE OTHER WAYS WOULD BE JIGGING OR EVEN DEAD STICKING. ALL THE ABOVE CAN BE DONE WITH LIVE OR DEAD BAIT. PIKE LOVE PERCH!! I LIKE TOO SET UP ONE WITH LIVE AND ONE WITH DEAD. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL AND STATE LAWS BEFORE USING LIVE BAIT! PIKE ALSO LOVE SMALL SUCKERS, CHUBS AND SHINNERS. AS FAR AS LINE GOES DONT BE CHEAP GET SOME 50LBS TEST WITH SOME 40-50 LBS LEADERS. IF I AM NOT USING A TIP UP I USE MY FULL SIZE POLES WITH EITHER BELLS ON THE TIP OR A BOBBER SET UP JUST ABOVE MY HOLE AND SET THE DRAG SO THAT WHEN A PIKE TAKES THE BAIT IT WILL LET THE DRAG OUT AND THE BOBBER WILL GO DOWN THE HOLE, KINDA LIKE A FLAG ON A TIP UP BUT IT GOES DOWN INSTEAD OF UP. THERE ARE SOME PICS OF THIS POSTED IN SOME OF MY LAST FEW POSTS. NOW AS TOO WERE THEY ARE AT, PIKE LIKE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR A STRAY OR A HURT FISH THAT IS NOT AS CLOSE TO THE REST OF THE SCHOOL. ANY WERE THERE IS WEED BANK IN THE SHALLOWS THAT HAS A DEPTH DROP NEXT TOO IT IS A GREAT PLACE TOO START. I WILL SET UP ONE LINE OR TIP UP ON THE EDGE OF THE WEEDS IN 10-15 FEET OF WATER WITH MY BAIT ABOUT 5 FEET OF THE BOTTOM. THEN I WILL SET UP ONE A LITTLE DEEPER MAYBE 20 FOOT OF WATER AND ABOUT TEN FOOT OF THE BOTTOM. THE FIRST IS THE ONE THAT GETS THE MOST HITS, BUT I DO FIND THE OUT A LITTLE DEEPER AS WELL. IN FACT I HAVE BEEN CATCHING A LOT OF 24-30 INCH PIKE WHILE JIGGING FOR PERCH IN 30 FOOT OF WATER ONLY ONE FOOT OF THE BOTTOM. BUT THE BIG ONES SEEM TOO STAY AROUND THE WEEDS IN THE SHALLOWS WAITING FOR A EASY TARGET. WELL I HOPE THIS HELPS, ALOT OF THIS INFO CAME FROM OTHER GUYS HERE AND HAS BEEN A BIG HELP.

[minnesotafisherman]

Justin,

Thanks for all of the great advice! I will definitely try what you suggested. I do know what tip ups are, I have just never used one before.

[JUSTINM]

GOOD LUCK AND LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES?

[minnesotafisherman]

I definitely will, as soon as I can get out ice fishing.