My group has gone to the BWCA and Quetico for many years and we've always focused on fishing for smallies and walleye. We've caught a lot of northerns, but they were just incidental to our smallie and walleye fishing. For my trip this year, I am considering bringing a heavy-duty baitcasting rod to hunt specifically for trophy-size northerns. I'm planning to buy an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3 baitcaster with 50 lb test braided line and a 7-foot heavy casting rod. I've already acquired several giant lures such as an 8-inch Believer crankbait, 9-inch Super Stalker crankbait, Northland Bionic Bucktail, Size 6 Vibrax Musky Bucktail spinner, 7-inch Zara Spook, 6-inch Polish Shad crankbait.

Since this is my first time going after the big pike, I would appreciate any tips anyone might have for my trip during the first week of July. We are tentatively planning on doing a loop into the Quetico heading north out of Lake Saganaga in the BWCA. Where should I be looking for the big girls in July? What techniques have worked best for you?

I would head over to Kawnipi for awhile. In 1992 the pike fishing was nonstop. I've caught a few big northerns and they seem to like shallow weedy bays. Of the 3 really big northerns I used a #4 black mepps with willow leaf blade, a 5" Johnsons silver minnow with 5" lime green pork trailer (great for weedy bays) and I got the biggest northern (which I couldn't land) trolling a 4" crayfish colored crankbait.

You can't go wrong with Muskie Killer size Mepps spinners either. Good luck, make sure to bring a decent net. It's real tough getting a biggie in the boat without one.

You might get by with lighter line and tackle. Save wear and tear on your self casting from a canoe or shore. I found Heavy spinning to be easier and more reliable due to the inevitable back lash. Just a suggestion.
As for lures I have seen the Daredevil five of diamonds yellow/red and ugly green spinner baits work best. Gaudy = Pike.

Different time of year (May), but our biggest pike, 38"-40"+ have been caught on ciscos, a jighead and a slip bobber. One guy in our group always snags at least one big one this way. It's basic, but effective.

thlipsis29

bromel,
Like bassmaster said a baitcaster can be a pain in a canoe. I like baitcasters from a bass boat and my first few trips I took two baitcasters and one spinning outfit, but now I bring three spinning rigs and one is a medium heavy with 14# fireline. I also like to keep the number of hooks on a lure to a minimum like using a large soft plastic jerk bait with a big offset worm hook, it saves time and is safer. And don't forget to use a wire leader.

Yeah and don't forget to pinch down the barbs this year in Quetico.

Thanks for the tips JolietJake,

Why didn't you like the baitcaster in the canoe? A

And what size soft jerk baits did you use? I have some 12-inch Fin-S flukes with a giant worm hook.

Bromel,

When fishing with a baitcaster you usually have to bring the rod back much further which could be a problem from the bow, and even from the stern it means you are moving around a little more and it throws off the balance of the canoe some. Also the whole wind factor, its much easier to cast into the wind with spinning gear.
and it is kinda fun using lighter gear.
As for what size soft plastic, I have brought 12" Slogos and tossed them around and only had one strike(I think it was a giant walleye) I usually use something around 7" for a jerk bait but also throw 5" soft plastics of various types up in the weeds.

dumb question....arent the bigs ones really deep in july? (never been on a july trip)

Id just use 6lb line and flier spoons, they havent let me down this year. I got this one sunday.





keep in mind bigger isnt always better when it comes to catching big pike.

I use a baitcaster in a 16 ft. canoe all the time. Consider practicing it a few times, but you shoud be fine if you're proficient with one.

bromel, I may be telling you something you already know, but as kanoes asked/mentioned, July is a tougher time for trophy pike. They're cool water fish & most of them are going to be deeper & correspondingly harder to catch.

Nearly all of the big pike I've caught, either in the BWCA or in the metro, have either been before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. The monsters are up higher in the water column, & more likely to be in the bays, or in any available weeds, when the water is cooler. And in the spring, you have the added possibility of hitting the post-spawn bite in May, if you're lucky! I caught a 42" beast on Insula in October this year - we didn't catch a lot of fish, but we were looking for trophies. We had a couple of other follows from fish that looked to be over 30 inches in the water (one almost bounced off the canoe as I pulled the bait out of the water, unaware of him rocketing up to the Old Town...I'm still made about it...).

If you already have the trip planned, & it sounds like you do, go after them anyways. You'll have a chance in low-light periods if they come up to forage, or try trolling/casting deeper than you normally would during the day. They're still in the lake & they're still eating!

Bromel,

The best time of year for you to catch a trophy pike is either the 1st two weeks of the opener in May, or late October.

The way to catch them are with a large Cisco or Smelt on a plain hook and bobber in shallow areas in the spring, and on the reefs where the white fish or tullibees spawn in the late fall.

Forget those crankbaits, but I know from your previous posts that I am speaking to deaf ears!!

I would go with the ciscos, in July I've found the big pike are in more of a "I'm not going to waste energy, bring the food to me" mood. I've found them stacked up in ambush spots like below a rapids or laying on the bottom near a creek mouth.
I would also lighten the line, I've brought in 100 Lb.+ yellowfin tuna with 50 LB. test. I wouldn't go over 20 LB. I've brought in 30 LB. Albacore with 20 Lb. test and they have much more power than a pike. Besides I don't think that reel is designed for much more than 12 LB. test which is probably all you would need. Bringing in a 30 Lb. pike on 12 Lb. test would be a real blast and definitely a trophy.

TGO are you talking salted or packaged ciscos? or still swimming? I will be up for the opener and if you know some place in the Ely area (preferably near a liquor store in case I need some last second provisions) that might have some I would totally pick some up;)
tg

In July I would suggest the softer sluggo type baits, slow drifted or retreived just off the bottom. Deep structure will be key. Places where the water goes from lots deep to maybe 15 feet, open bay humps, long points out into deep water. I doubt these fish will be anywhere else shallow, except as noted near rapid bottoms and current areas. I would forget anything shallow not near deep water except for those areas.

I have seen very big pike in Hustler. The biggest I have seen was between Basswood falls and the pictos. Big deep diving crankbait. He was way down.

TGO,

Maybe you need to start an exchange program like cities use to get guns off the street. If people are willing to "turn in" their crank baits or stick baits at your shop, we get free scoop of crappie minnow or chubs or something like that:^)

thlipsis29

To Great Outdoors,

Your tips haven't fallen on deaf ears. I'm just not the least bit interested in using live bait. I really enjoy the challenge and sport of tricking fish with artificial lures. It's kind of like riding a bike without training wheels. Just more fun!

So I am starting to piece together that the best non-live-bait strategy for big pike in early July should be to troll deep crankbaits using heavy spinning gear and line. We were using this strategy last summer on Lac La Croix and dredged up this one on a gold Hot-n-Tot.

Yes...July=trolling. Pick some good deep divers and paddle fast. Find some nice big bays next to some deep water. Throw out on opposite sides, let out alot of line and paddle at a good steady pace.

The water temp is the key to pike. The smaller ones like 2 pounds and under will be in the shallow bays all summer, and then as you work out the fish will be larger. I believe the temp that large pike prefer is under 55 degrees.

If you pay attention to who catches large pick in mid summer, it is somebody out fishing for walleyes and they accidentally catch the large pike.

You could try the deep drop offs and use a lindy rig with a big bladed spinner. Something bigger than a half dollar and a crawler or leech. That way you will have scent and vibration working in your favor.
DD

give the storm swimbaits a try. they are heavy, cast well and have great action.

i have a buddy that swears by those storms.

Storm swim baits are good stuff and can be fished deep.

Artificial baits do take some of the guess work out of "is the hook in it's mouth yet". When I think of artificial and pike I think red and white, maybe because I grew up flinging a red and white 1 oz. silver back daredevil. I just love it when a big northern comes up and grabs a daredevil just under the surface and makes that big wake/splash and proceeds to rip line out as fast as the reel can handle it. Then you know you have a battle on your hands.

i think the five o diamonds is even better than the original red/white. IMO :)

If you are targeting just large pike, bring some titanium leaders. They do not kink as easy and are strong. At the very least, use fireline as a leader.

tg,

The Cisco is an inland Herring, and come frozen, 12 in a pack.

They are trapped and packaged in late fall.

You should do well for big pike that time of year when the water is cold and they are sluggish.

I have found that all the larger pike I have caught (largest 45-46" inches) have been in moderately deep water where say they can patrol back and forth across the entrance to a fairly narrow arm or entrance to a bay of the lake especially where there is a good point to sit and bushwhack anything that swims by.
I have also caught large pike sitting right in the middle of a narrow section in the lake even if deep water where they can feed on anything going by towards either shore.
Even fishing for larger pike I use the same size red and white daredevle spoon. I prefer the smaller ones that come with the double hook instead of treeble hook.. It seems to me the lure runs better with the double hook and actually hooks the fish more effectively and is easier to remove without harming the fish. Also gives some nice action just sinking and can be fished any depth.

Oh yeah regarding my previous post the brad of spoo I use is the daredevle. I find it more flexible to fish at a variety of depths dueto the weight but as I say use the double hook and if you cant find one buy a hook and replace the treble hook which cuts down on the action of the lure.

Caught a large 38" pike on an early June trip to Malberg a couple of years ago. On that same trip we saw what looked like large logs floating on the surface in front of the canoe. As we approached they thrashed and swam away...

A few questions (all pertain to a trip made in early July):

1. Are there any specific cranks anyone would suggest for this type of fishing? Is there such a thing as too big? I understand the small lures = small fish idea, just curious if there was an ideal size.

2. Conventional pike theory would suggest that fishing in the sunny daytime is best for catching pike. What is the best time to fish for the pigs? Also, how deep? Different lures for different times of the day?

Last year in late May, when fishing with a medium action rod, 8lb line, and a J9 black and silver rapala for smallies along the shore just before dusk my novice fishing buddy hooked into one as long as my arm, when he got it up to the boat he was scared to try and grab it so he sent it to the stern for me to get ahold of. It thrashed out of the water and opened it's mouth wide, it had the whole lure way in the back of its throat, at least 3" of line between the lure and where the line came out of his mouth. Couldn't get the thing in the boat though, no net or cradle.

This leads to question 3.

Would one or both of these be suggested? I have taken a net before and have seen it as more of a hassle...seems like one or the other would be a must to get in a big pike though.

4. What are the real chances of a trophy pike in July in the Qutico. I don't really want to haul all that gear if chances are slim. I would also add, however, that one lunker would be worth it for me. Thanks in advance for the tips.

i wouldnt put so much emphasis on crank baits. for pike i think spoons and in-line spinners are much more versatile lures. treat them like a countdown lure. you can pretty much fish the entire water column with the same thing. im a huge fan of the big doctor spoon.

I've caught walleye and lake trout by jigging spoons. I would imagine it would be a good way to get big northerns that are deep.

As for the net - I'd say bring one. I never did until I ended up killing a big northern in 2001 and being unable to boat a real big one in 2000. I bought a real nice collapsible one from Piragis.

You can see it here

It's pretty expensive but it's perfect for the BW.

Matt,

We don't need no stinkin' net! We're going to land those big pike like a man, with our hands! For the snakes under 30", just grab their shoulders behind their head. For the really big pigs, use the Leech Lake Lip Lock method.

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/pike_landing/index.php#lars

Bromel, that is a good article. That's the way I try to land the big ones. It doesn't always work in a canoe however. Here's two examples.

In 2000 I was with my Dad on Eddy lake and hooked into a monster while trolling a crankbait. I played the fish out pretty good and had him beside the boat. I was going to go under the jaw since his back was too broad behide the head. Well, I couldn't see any sign of the crankbait. This guy had it way down in his throat and all I could think of is getting my hand impaled on a treble hook while sliding it up under the slot in the jaw. This fish eventually broke the 8lb line after many attempts to get him in the canoe.

The other time was in a solo canoe. It's a very difficult move to reach down and lift in a 20lb pike like this when solo. I had to play out the fish so long that when I finally managed to boat it by lifting under the jaw the fish never recovered and went belly up when I released it. I tried many times to revive it but it was a lost cause. I had to leave a trophy for the turtles.

The moral is - a net would get the fish in the boat faster and possibly allow you to release it unharmed.

One option to landing a pig without a net while in a canoe is to have your partner paddle to shore after the fish starts to loose it's fight and land it on shore. of course if your solo this is not an option.

I have only once ever tried to net a big pike. I hooked it jigging for walleye when it was nearly dark and didnt know it was a pike. it just came up straight into my net. When it realized it was in a net I needed a new net cause it went straight thru it. As I paddle sole I generally drag it to shore to land. i really don't want a pig pike in my canoe and I I dont wanna wind up in the water or with my hand in a big pike's mouth.

For lures and getting deep, the lipless crankbaits are excellent. I've caught a few nice pike on rat-l-traps and rattlin' rapalas. They cast a mile and you can control the depth by counting them down. Try the brown/gold colors and large sizes.

Till a few years ago I fished Gull Rock lake in Ontario at least once a year in early July and sometime also in late August. I fished big northerns in a few selected bays, and along sunken islands. The largest I managed to land was 45" I could never manage the really big ones. I've had 30lbs leaders snapped more than once, when I had the drag set too tight and forgot to back it off after landing a small northern.

Every bay or sunken island I target has grass, access to deep water, and some current.

is the rule that you need the big lures to catch the big fish? Should I be out buying big $10+ lures to fish the big northerns?

yes. id even spend more per lure, definatly.

I should've mentioned spinnerbaits, also. A very select few manufacturers make spinnerbaits that allow for wire snap-swivel attatchment. One of them that I have also caught a number of pike on is...
http://www.flaminnlures.com/supermags.htm
Or you can use a knottable wire leader and tie directly to a regular spinnerbait.

or, if you happen to tie flies.....tie the opening closed. just a little tip. :)

best leaders?

the most expensive ones of course.

anybody know a good website to buy these lures from? What are the essentials I should be sure to buy?

I think you gotta bring at least one Mepps Muskie Killer. I had good luck in Wi. this year with a yellow tail color.

This might sound ridiculous... but has anyone tried the Giant Banjo Minnow? Remember the TV infomercial from about 15 years ago with the soft plastic minnows? I watched an episode of Good Fishing in which Babe Winkleman and another guy caught monster pike one after the other using the Banjo minnow.

I believe it was early season in Canada somewhere. They were fishing extremely shallow water (about 3 feet) using 8" Banjos. They would cast it out and let it slowly sink to the bottom. After about 10-12 seconds they would twitch it a couple of times and then let it sink again. This was a very slow process that seemed to appeal to the early season mentality of slower moving fish. They showed the action on the bait with an underwater camera and it really looked cool.

I was at Gander Mountain a couple of weeks ago and I saw Banjo type baits. Almost bought them but I figured I'd try to get a success story from someone before I spent the money.

I remember that episode of Good Fishing, that sure looked like a lot of fun!
I believe that pike when in the mood will devour just about anything.

You COULD catch a smallish pike and just let it run around with your lure/bait until big bertha decides it looks like an easy meal.

oh yeah...thats the pic of that huge rainy lake northern. i remember seeing that! :)

That "tying the tip" tip never occurred to me. Thanks, Kanoes.

youre welcome.

bump

Anyone know if Bromel ever found the giant pike he was looking for?

bump

Kanoes-Definitely some of your best work.
Big jointed rapalas trolled across the middle of lakes that have ciscos works.

Bump

Jeriatric asked awhile back, and I wonder too......what ever happened to Bromel? He either got busy elswhere or changed his 'handle' ?

Bump

That 49-inch behemoth photographed at Voyageur North was caught in the first week of June (2008). I think it was caught outside the BW, though. It came in the evening before I was to leave on a solo trip and I had fun watching the photos being made.
The thread about this pike has been bumped many times in the past. If anyone has it bookmarked, this would be a good time to resurrect it again.

I got a 44" 26# pike out of South Farm about 20 years ago. Built a rock enclosure to house it overnight so my buddies could see it the next day, but alas, the pike made a heroic escape. LOL! Who knows, maybe he's still in there?? My biggest pike to date regardless.

As a musky fisherman let me add this concerning gear. If you plan on throwing big lures, use 80lb braid. If you don't, eventually you'll cast off a lure as the line just can't take the abuse from heavy baits. Trolling or smaller baits you might be fine with 65lb. Stealth brand flourocarbon leaders are awesome. Flouro won't kink, and the 100-130lb test ones usually last me a whole season.

Try spinnerbaits, 9 or 10" Suicks (pike love jerk baits), and of course spoons and cranks (Grandmas, Believers). You might look into a jig like the Bondy Bait (google it). I bet those would be good for big lakers too.

Pike are kind of dumb and will eat anything, the problem will be finding the bigger ones. I need to fish the BW!

I would bring a couple of Bull Dawgs in Walleye and Cisco colors. I would also look at 80 or 100lb line, its not the test weight you have to worry about its just that the heavier braided lines are much easier to work with.

I would also look at a couple of Hog Wobblers for topwater action.

If you want to use bucktails I would also consider a larger reel, a #6 double blade is about the max for a 6500. You try pulling a double #10 with the 6500 and you will see what I am talking about (i like to burn my blades and use a Daiwa Saltist, its ability to pick up line is what its all about).

I would also look at some GhostTails, they can be bought at Thorne Bros or Rollie and Helens. They are the finest bucktail on the planet.

I have landed many nice pike and some medium size ski's all by hand while fishing from a tandem Kayak with my buddy, no net needed! To whomever is talking about having casting problems you just need to make sure the guy at the front of the boat is paying attention, my buddy rides front and thus catches more fish as he gets all the fresh water, he is also very good at casting a musky rod and has never hooked me.

The problem with heavy rods and line is that you don't get much leverage on the fish when sitting in a canoe. I find that a med-heavy rod with 30#-65# braid is about all I need from a canoe. I like to throw big lures but hooksets with big stout hooks can be a problem from a canoe.

quote Jeriatric: "The thread about this pike has been bumped many times in the past. If anyone has it bookmarked, this would be a good time to resurrect it again.

This one, I guess.

seagull holds some trophy pike , pic of 2- 14bers (both released of course)

Most of the big lakes hold big pike. A couple years ago a person in our group caught 2 large pike in Quetico Lake while trolling with the same 20ft taildancer about 30 minutes apart on our first night in the park. One 43", the other 44". Was great start to the trip.

bump. Remember that 49-incher from 2008?

The recent issue of BWJ has Stu's ratings for best Q (and BWCA) lakes for pike. --Goose

We have caught several 40 inch pike from Pickerel Lake clear down thru the southern BW area over the years. Most of them were on 7 inch Rapalas. Mid summer thru mid October.

quote OldGreyGoose: "The recent issue of BWJ has Stu's ratings for best Q (and BWCA) lakes for pike. --Goose"

Heading up to Q on Tuesday. Going trophy hunting this year. Going thru Falls Chain, Kawnipi and beyond.

Wish I could see that article haven't received my issue yet. Do you have the Quetico rankings?

Going to be trolling large 20-30 ft deep diving plugs. When the wind is blowing, drifting while jigging Bulldawgs, Castaics and Bondy Baits.

Lost too may monsters while fishing for other species over the years. I'm ready for them this year.

K

quote bromel: "My group has gone to the BWCA and Quetico for many years and we've always focused on fishing for smallies and walleye. We've caught a lot of northerns, but they were just incidental to our smallie and walleye fishing. For my trip this year, I am considering bringing a heavy-duty baitcasting rod to hunt specifically for trophy-size northerns. I'm planning to buy an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3 baitcaster with 50 lb test braided line and a 7-foot heavy casting rod. I've already acquired several giant lures such as an 8-inch Believer crankbait, 9-inch Super Stalker crankbait, Northland Bionic Bucktail, Size 6 Vibrax Musky Bucktail spinner, 7-inch Zara Spook, 6-inch Polish Shad crankbait.



Since this is my first time going after the big pike, I would appreciate any tips anyone might have for my trip during the first week of July. We are tentatively planning on doing a loop into the Quetico heading north out of Lake Saganaga in the BWCA. Where should I be looking for the big girls in July? What techniques have worked best for you?"

If your arms get tired throwing those musky baits, just tie on a mepps number 5, some of my biggest pike have come on this lure and you also get action from other fish. If you are truly going after giant pike only, then the best suggestion I can give is go in May, or in the fall after the turnover, your chances will increase exponentially for catching a huge pike.

quote gopackers12: "Most of the big lakes hold big pike. A couple years ago a person in our group caught 2 large pike in Quetico Lake while trolling with the same 20ft taildancer about 30 minutes apart on our first night in the park. One 43", the other 44". Was great start to the trip.
"

The west end of Quetico is known for big pike.

No giant pike thread would be complete without a picture of Blues Canoes Pike Blues Canoe Pike