Dead-Bait Tactics for
Hardwater Pike Subscribe to our Free e-Magazine
The Intricacies of Bait For choosing dead bait, a number of criteria should be considered. Smelt, herring, sardine and sucker all make excellent choices (please check local regulations before using), and can be purchased either fresh or frozen from most grocery stores. Suckers can also be caught from local streams or rivers, and put directly in the freezer until needed. Choose bait between six and nine-inches in length, as this seems to be the preferred size for pike, especially during the winter months. I prefer my baits to be slightly frozen when hitting the ice, as it allows for easier rigging and manipulation of the bait. The Rig
When a pike swims with a bait, turning it around to swallow after a short run, the hooks will usually find a secure place at the front of the mouth on the ensuing hookset. A No. 1 single hook coupled with a No. 4 treble works well in most situations. Quick strike rigs can be purchased from tackle retailers, or designed by oneself. It can actually make for a rewarding hobby leading up to the season, and is inexpensive to get into.
Smooth drags are also imperative when chasing pike, due to the length of runs and the speed that they can achieve. Make sure that it can run freely, with no hesitation at all. I rely on three models of tip ups when heading out on the ice for pike - The Original Polar Tip-Up, the Polar Therm Tip-Up and the Windlass Tip-Up, all manufactured by HT Enterprises. Which I use is dependent on weather conditions, and my perceived activity of the fish. If temperatures are very cold, and the risk of holes freezing is severe, the Polar Therm gets the nod. This style will insulate your hole, alleviating any freezing issues, with the spool hidden under the water. If temperatures are warm and fish are aggressive, the Original Polar would be my choice. And lastly, if there is a slight breeze and the fish have taken on lockjaw, the Windlass provides the necessary and attractive action to trigger those strikes. The trip mechanisms are smooth on these units, and can be adjusted for varying degrees of release, making them ideal choices when dealing with weighty dead bait. Whichever tip up design you choose, make sure the spool is filled to capacity, especially if deeper water is part of your gameplan. Setting Up Shop Pike are typically more aggressive when the sun is shining, and mid-morning to late afternoon will usually see them in their hungriest disposition. Cover a variety of areas with your tip ups when beginning the day, from water as shallow as five-feet upwards of 30-feet (if applicable). What you are searching for are active fish, and once found, they will give you an idea of the precise areas to target.
Bait placement can also be paramount to your success. I prefer to suspend dead bait just off bottom, perhaps one to two feet at most. I find the majority of fish (especially when dealing with skinny water) cruise "belly to the bottom," giving bait presented in this manner the best chance for being seen. Using electronics, such as a Vexilar, can make the positioning of bait a breeze. Before I place a dead bait rig in the hole, I always make a few slashes in the skin of the fish with a knife. This helps in releasing juices, and adds to the attraction factor of the bait itself. Although dead bait can last a long time under the water, rigging up fresh bait periodically throughout the day has often brought quick results. Dead baiting for pike can really bring out the excitement once winter sets in. It is a simple technique that can provide ample enjoyment, with that chance for a true trophy fish always only a flag pop away. Photos by Justin Hoffman
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