Fishing Stage - Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main
Pike Bumping Lure Trolling
Michigan Fishing
Jun 26, 2022 10:24:03   #
Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan
 
I know pike will study and even bump a dead stick bait during ice fishing but do they nudge or bump a lure on the troll?

Sometimes the action of the lure momentarily stops and the tension of the line eases up and the rod tip is like a break off…just for 2 seconds maybe.

Anyone else experience this? Could it be pike nudging the lure forward to cause the slack line?

Reply
Jun 27, 2022 13:55:48   #
Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan
 
Anyone?

Reply
Jun 27, 2022 22:23:23   #
davedumont Loc: Oscoda, Michigan
 
I suppose it's possible Ryp but I haven't experienced that. Anytime I catch a pike they hit like a freight train. Lol

Reply
 
 
Jun 27, 2022 22:45:45   #
Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan
 
davedumont wrote:
I suppose it's possible Ryp but I haven't experienced that. Anytime I catch a pike they hit like a freight train. Lol

Definately that!🤣

It doesnt happen often but it sure feels weird.

Reply
Jun 28, 2022 01:33:38   #
harleypiker Loc: WA
 
Yes, I've felt that a few times and instantly causes me to get ready to set the hook more so than when getting a nibble. Because nothing else can cause your lure to move ahead. They may not be nudging it forward as much as their often attack mode quartering from the rear and twisting their body as they grab the lure. they may twist forward instead of backwards, giving the slack feeling and then spitting it out before you get a chance to set the hook.

Reply
Jun 28, 2022 07:41:34   #
davedumont Loc: Oscoda, Michigan
 
I agree with harleypiker. This seems very probable to me. Pike aren't known for playing with their food. Normally they either look it over and decide not to bite or they attack with a vengeance. I can easily see a pike turning toward the fisherman though and putting slack in the line and then spitting it out before the hook can be set.

Reply
Jun 28, 2022 10:01:25   #
Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan
 
Watching pike behavior on underwater camera ice fishing last winter was an eye opener. I extensively used blue shiners with a small treble hook, 20# braid, no leader. They will slowly glide in, tap it with their snout, back up and repeat or sometimes leave and circle the perimeter. Others will come in so fast there is no time but to just hang on.

Reply
 
 
Jun 28, 2022 10:34:29   #
MNMudminnow Loc: MN (MSP metro/Alexandria) & FL (Ft.Myers)
 
I have had numerous instances of brief but sudden slack in trolling situations.

My assumption has always been that the cause lies in the speed of the fish that is in pursuit of my lure or bait.

Northerns/Northern Pike are impressively swift swimmers capable of quick bursts of speed when they need to get away or catch their prey.
For the fish to catch up to and overtake what it is chasing, it needs to be coming in at a significantly faster pace than the speeds we typically use while trolling.

Understanding that simple bit of logic tells me that sometimes the fish will be moving so fast when it contacts the bait, it's carried further forward than where it should be tracking at, causing the angler to feel the slack in the line.

When/if the fish turns away or stops swimming faster than the boat, the line tightens, the slack incident ends, & someone says, "Fish on!"


**Sorry, that seemed like it would be much easier to explain before I started typing it...hopefully it makes enough sense so you're able to follow along.

Reply
Jun 28, 2022 11:35:31   #
Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan
 
MNMudminnow wrote:
I have had numerous instances of brief but sudden slack in trolling situations.

My assumption has always been that the cause lies in the speed of the fish that is in pursuit of my lure or bait.

Northerns/Northern Pike are impressively swift swimmers capable of quick bursts of speed when they need to get away or catch their prey.
For the fish to catch up to and overtake what it is chasing, it needs to be coming in at a significantly faster pace than the speeds we typically use while trolling.

Understanding that simple bit of logic tells me that sometimes the fish will be moving so fast when it contacts the bait, it's carried further forward than where it should be tracking at, causing the angler to feel the slack in the line.

When/if the fish turns away or stops swimming faster than the boat, the line tightens, the slack incident ends, & someone says, "Fish on!"


**Sorry, that seemed like it would be much easier to explain before I started typing it...hopefully it makes enough sense so you're able to follow along.
I have had numerous instances of brief but sudden ... (show quote)

You explained that well enough, thank you👍

In my experiences when those “pauses” occur, most of the time the pike refused to fully commit.

Most of the time I’m using the Rapala Jointed Shad Rap (JSR7) in white perch coloration. Sure gets their attention.

Reply
Jun 28, 2022 13:18:43   #
MNMudminnow Loc: MN (MSP metro/Alexandria) & FL (Ft.Myers)
 
Oh yeah, there have been plenty of times that I think they approach and slash at a lure or just try to knock it off track somewhat, as if it has irritated them by swimming by and they are intent on teaching it a lesson by way of providing a spanking of sorts. Not to try eating it, but just giving it a decent whack(an alternate description to your mention of not fully committing).

I don't like to fish water that isn't of very high clarity. As such, I've been able to see all sorts of attack methods and how intense their focus on a lure can be is very intriguing. I'd like to be able to say I've learned some about their general behavior by witnessing some of those events, but all I have really learned is that every situation and encounter is a unique and unrepeatable event that is really useless in trying to predict the behavior of any individual fish. Some vague assumptions can be made on a waterbody as a whole, but what any one fish within that system is going to do will always be unknowable.

That actually may be a large part of the reason why fishing holds such an ever-expanding attraction for me. I can fish the same section of the same lake day after day without getting bored, even if I'm not catching fish. It is never the same lake with the same conditions. Every second it evolves into a different version of itself & I find the challenge of trying to understand the complexity of that evolution very rewarding and enriching_all the different aspects and layers to unfold.

The preferred lures topic could go on indefinitely as well. I will say I have a sizeable collection of styles/designs from RAPALA, including jointed options as you mentioned. Models I frequently use include TailDancer, MinnowRap, the entire line of X-RAP, ShadRap(shallow style, especially), the DT series, and available jointed versions also.

Color preference will have to wait for a future discussion.

Reply
Jun 28, 2022 13:37:36   #
Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan
 
MNMudminnow wrote:
Oh yeah, there have been plenty of times that I think they approach and slash at a lure or just try to knock it off track somewhat, as if it has irritated them by swimming by and they are intent on teaching it a lesson by way of providing a spanking of sorts. Not to try eating it, but just giving it a decent whack(an alternate description to your mention of not fully committing).

I don't like to fish water that isn't of very high clarity. As such, I've been able to see all sorts of attack methods and how intense their focus on a lure can be is very intriguing. I'd like to be able to say I've learned some about their general behavior by witnessing some of those events, but all I have really learned is that every situation and encounter is a unique and unrepeatable event that is really useless in trying to predict the behavior of any individual fish. Some vague assumptions can be made on a waterbody as a whole, but what any one fish within that system is going to do will always be unknowable.

That actually may be a large part of the reason why fishing holds such an ever-expanding attraction for me. I can fish the same section of the same lake day after day without getting bored, even if I'm not catching fish. It is never the same lake with the same conditions. Every second it evolves into a different version of itself & I find the challenge of trying to understand the complexity of that evolution very rewarding and enriching_all the different aspects and layers to unfold.

The preferred lures topic could go on indefinitely as well. I will say I have a sizeable collection of styles/designs from RAPALA, including jointed options as you mentioned. Models I frequently use include TailDancer, MinnowRap, the entire line of X-RAP, ShadRap(shallow style, especially), the DT series, and available jointed versions also.

Color preference will have to wait for a future discussion.
Oh yeah, there have been plenty of times that I th... (show quote)

Zen and The Art Of Pike Fishing😁

Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main
FishingStage.com - Forum
Copyright 2018-2024 IDF International Technologies, Inc.