Has anyone ever encountered a situation where jigging worked better than plain trolling or casting?

For Pike? Only if you’re talking about through the ice (which your likely not). Caught pike while jigging for other species? Of course.

I've caught some large pike while jigging over the years, but I was fishing for walleyes. Northerns eat anything, including other pike. Crankbaits, spoons, jigs and live bait all work.

Like the other fellows said, not usually for pike. Quite often with walleye and lakers, occasionally with smallmouth.

I haven't found a way to NOT catch Pike. You can cast into the woods and usually catch a Pike.....

bombinbrian: "I haven't found a way to NOT catch Pike. You can cast into the woods and usually catch a Pike....."

lol

bombinbrian: "I haven't found a way to NOT catch Pike. You can cast into the woods and usually catch a Pike....."

Exactly. 99% of the pike I catch are while targeting other species. Only time I ever targeted pike my son wanted to catch them, when he was about 12. I told him that I didn’t really know how because I had only caught them when fishing for other stuff. He researched and dig through the lures we had and tied on a black and gold suspending jerkbait, went to some shallow flats with a bunch of weeds and Lilly pads, caught a giant pike first cast. Then proceeded to put on a pike catching clinic for 4 hours. If you ever get the chance to do this I highly recommend! They will just about knock the rod out of your hands!

We “jig” larger paddle tails for pike all the time.Sometimes it the most effective method.5” white or pearl colored berkley ripple shads with a swim bait jig head.Lighter head for horizontal approach,giving more hang time on pauses.And slightly heavier head for vertical approach.Large twister tails work fantastic as well,we use Magombo’s 4-5” I believe,again white is the color.The only caveat to fishing big rubber in canoe country is the weight factor.Believe it or not rubber baits really add up in weight and they don’t last long if the action is hot.The plus to fishing swim baits and jigs for pike is less fish injuries with the single hook.And less chance for personal injuries as well only dealing with single hooks