Pike and Bass...

[Sytes]

I feel like the wind up to archery season... Getting excited - getting everything tuned up - etc.

Same with PIKE AND BASS. I am amped and ready to play. More Montana NW. Missoula area to Eureka area. Great times. Flathead river, Salmon, Echo / Abbott - playing around at Murphy and Sophie a bit as well.

Small mouth Bass are out of this world in Flathead river. Fun as heck! The pike AKA mini aligators... fantastic fights.

Sooooo,

Jerk bait to start? Maybe - some tailed tube's? Slow moving bass are prob the choice feed of pike atm... I suppose top water and running rapala's would be a bit to much this early?

I also fly fish for the pike... where there are trout, I use a "Bite Me" rainbow streamer type fly (Thanks Neil).

Need some tips... anyone have any suggestions for pike or bass - early season?

 

[Mingo]

Probably no help at all considering the geographical difference, but I like a spinnerbait for bass in early spring. I look for a windward shore with shallow water on a sunny day and roll that spinnerbait by slooow. Seems to be more of a reaction bite. Don't know how it would work for Smallmouth though.

Now, Ive got a question for you. What leaders do you use for pike? I have heard that some of the "super lines" like Power Pro can be used instead of wire.

 

[smalls]

You finding pike in any shallow stillwater where you can sight fish them?

I wouldn't hesitate throwing big plugs for pike early and working them slow. Another early season favorite for pike is swimming big plastics like 6"-10" senkos, pogo shad, twister tails rigged texas or carolina style.

For line on my pike/catfish rigs I will use something like 50 or 80 lb PowerPro but I will usually cut off about 18" of line every couple of fish as it gets worn pretty quickly (I hate steel leaders).

 

[Sytes]

Steel leaders seem to get all bent out of shape - quickly. I use a 50 lb braided spider wire when going for the pike as my leader for both fly fishing and spin/bait use.

The guy who sells the "Bite Me" streamer flies sells a titanium leader which last 20x's + longer than the steel leaders though they cost an arm and a leg... Not really 20x's the value - though feels that way).

On rare occasions I have lost my leader using the braided line though maybe 1-3 times a season? Not bad and much more finesse / presentation ability.

I'll try some slow moving top water action for the snitch and grins of it... I think that has to be the biggest thrill seeing a pike (or bass for that matter) slash that water reaching for the floater.

A friend recommended trying for the rocky bottom areas - shallow 5-15' type clear conditions with some slow moving jerk bait The suspending type minnow/perch/trout... The rocky bottom apparently gathers a bit more warmth...?

I have some 7" watermelon type soft bait I'll give a go with (Thanks Smalls) Twister tails - such as Kalins type - mini bass/shad like slow retreive?

Anyhow look forward to as many good tips as possible. Can never learn enough on pike and bass

 

[Mingo]

Yep, well I'm going on my first trip to Canada in July and want to be ready for some big pike. I just figured there had to be something other than those bulky off-the-shelf wire leaders.

 

[mdcrossbow]

Theirs nothing like a Nice Big Juicy Helgramite on the tip of a hook for either one of them fish.

 

[Sytes]

Yep, well I'm going on my first trip to Canada in July and want to be ready for some big pike. I just figured there had to be something other than those bulky off-the-shelf wire leaders.

I have heard of some serious pike fun in Canada. Make sure to take pics and best of success!

MDCrossbow, The helgramite for fly fishing or is there a larger version of softbait for spin/bait fishing as well? I have not used them though looking them up, they look like a good one!

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s..._61657_100019000_100000000_100019000_100-19-0 found them at Bass Pro Shop Online.

There are several entries for fly fishing in montana with a helgramite - or a version of... seems they get rave reviews. I'll definately try them as it is tough finding fly type deals for the smallmouth, pike, etc.