Does anyone going into WC specifically target big pike? I mean casting gear and big baits to go after big pike. I am planning a trip next spring and I want to spend some time going after some big gators. Any suggestions on bait types and colors would be greatly appreciated.

Irregular Lake has muskies. There are some really good trip reports from there.

Wow spring time should rock. I go in August and do O.K. trolling Muskie sized baits for pike. Big Shadzillas have been especially good to me but I have had a few days with large Butcher shallow raiders (which still troll to 14ft).

Spring might be a different ball game however. I might like jerk style baits like the Phantoms. Or even large curly tail grubs like a black kalins octo grub on a Hogy sand eel jig head via a titanium leader. Or even a Super Shad Rap. Don't forget about a black Jensen jig (bunny strip). How about a Cobra jig head with a big paddle tail rigged sideways?

Lots of big pike up there, the trick is convincing them to kick that tail.

I have a trip report to Irregular lake and also Musclow lake on my "digital scrapbook" site > mastertangler@blogspot. You might have to dig around a bit but some info might be gleaned which could prove worthwhile.

mastertangler: "Wow spring time should rock. I go in August and do O.K. trolling Muskie sized baits for pike. Big Shadzillas have been especially good to me but I have had a few days with large Butcher shallow raiders (which still troll to 14ft).


Spring might be a different ball game however. I might like jerk style baits like the Phantoms. Or even large curly tail grubs like a black kalins octo grub on a Hogy sand eel jig head via a titanium leader. Or even a Super Shad Rap. Don't forget about a black Jensen jig (bunny strip). How about a Cobra jig head with a big paddle tail rigged sideways?


Lots of big pike up there, the trick is convincing them to kick that tail.


I have a trip report to Irregular lake and also Musclow lake on my "digital scrapbook" site > mastertangler@blogspot. You might have to dig around a bit but some info might be gleaned which could prove worthwhile. "

I think I read the Musclow report, will look again for others.

The Irregular lake Muskie trip was memorable. A very fine place indeed.

Spring time you might scale down your offering. I still like bigger offerings but you might do well with more "finesse" type offerings. I would be prone to fish lighter tackle in the spring as the weeds have not grown up yet. Get a big pike later in the summer in deep cabbage you had better have rope for line or it's pretty much game over.

Have you looked into the black Bunny strip Jensen jigs? Big pike fishermen swear by them from everything I have read. I have also read where big pike have an unusual affinity for all things black. Interesting yes? Quite the contrast to the usual fire tiger that most anglers think is the right choice for pike (maybe for the smaller ones).

I am planning on bringing a light muskie rig up. A normal muskie rod is too much to have much fun with small to medium pike. I have a 7' St. Croix rod rated for 3/4 to 1 3/4 ounce lures that should be enough for the big ones but light enough to make the smaller pike feel like more than just weeds. I have altered a few 5-6" baits with bucktail dressed hooks on the back side to add bulk and size without making the bait too heavy for the lighter rods I like to use on the Namekagon, Chippewa and Flambeau rivers I like to fish.

What can you tell me about water clarity in WC? Is there a lot of variability between the lakes? Are lakes in certain regions darker in water color than others?