Ask some people and if they know (or care)\ they'll probably tell you I'm a trout fisherman – fly rod in hand, wading the small creeks and streams stalking the wild brookie.
Shhh. Don't tell anyone...
I think pike might be right up there with the colorful native salmonid.
It might have had something to do with pulling a 42-incher out of a far northern lake, but for quite a while I've been hooked on the toothy fish.
This particular day was no different. We don't always target pike; there are many lakes in the area that hold a variety of species.But if I know they're in there, I'll take some time and throw a lure or two just to see if I can entice a bite. Unless we're on a water that is specifically, say, a bass lake, Steve and I will often target different fish to see what's biting.
It was getting colder, but the ice hadn't locked up thelake just yet.... kind of like now.
I had on a big spinnerbait hoping to aggravate the northerns into a chomp. As usual, they didn't disappoint. You'll hear many fishermen say that pike will take anything, and then again some will say they're picky eaters. I think they're just mean and live like the old grumpy guy down the street who yells "get outta my yard" out the window every day. Give 'em something that antagonizes them a bit and they'll take it.
If you're targeting northerns, give the spinnerbait – a bright-colored spinnerbait – a try. Spoons will also bring them in. You want to go with a big spoon, with a lot of bend that creates a real stir on the retrieve. (And there's a reason many North Country fishermen have that tried and true red and white version, the Dardevle, in their tackle box.) A soft plastic jerkbait might also tempt them into a strike and, if the regs allow it, any number of baitfish will lure them in – a sucker or shiner. And you might not be able to find anything more exciting than running a top-water lure when pike are in the mood. A smallmouth is one thing, but a large mouth full of teeth is another.
While it may be best known for its lake trout and landlocks and the fishermen who target them, Schroon Lake also holds some pike and you my just find some solitude in the weedy bays and backwaters pike cruise for dinner. Once it's frozen, they can be a blast on tip-ups; be prepared,however, with a pretty good spool of line. If they're big enough and feisty enough, they'll take it a long way.
But don't think that you have to stay on the big lake to have a chance. Some of the smaller waters in the region have their share of fish, notably Paradox Lake at the outlet of Schroon, and Rich Lake over in Newcomb.
My fish took the hook and I knew right away I was in for a fight. Under and around the boat, I took my time, as I have a tendency to just horse them into the boat like the bass pros do on TV. Only problem is, I'm not a pro and this wasn't a bass. As Steve stood by ready to grab the fish should it surface, it went on another tear, down and under the boat again. Time soon became of the essence as I was planning to put the fish back to fight another day and didn't want to release an exhausted, spent fish.
It made its last run to the side of the boat and Steve (with gloved hand) reached out to scoop it up. (We'd later wonder why he just didn't use the net sitting on the bottom of the boat.) Pictures were taken and the pike was successfully sent back to the deep to terrorize the perch and aforementioned bass.
That, I thought was a blast. Can't get much better, I wouldn't think.
But wait...
Pike on a fly? That might be the ultimate.
