Displaying items by tag: pike https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:19:51 -0400 Joomla! - Open Source Content Management en-gb Lake Dalrymple Pike Fishing https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/fishing-reports/lake-dalrymple-pike-fishing.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/fishing-reports/lake-dalrymple-pike-fishing.html Lake Dalrymple Pike Fishing
Very good pike fishing on Lake Dalrymple last weekend. Many fish caught between 4-6 lb. The best bait are spoons.

Dalrymple Lake Pike June 2016

Dalrymple Lake Pike Fising June 2016

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admin@fishinglakesimcoe.ca (Administrator) Fishing Reports Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:36:53 -0400
Pike Fishing on Cook's Bay https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/fishing-reports/pike-fishing-on-cooks-bay.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/fishing-reports/pike-fishing-on-cooks-bay.html

Pike fishing last weekend on Cook's Bay was rather slow. A few small fish caught in shallow water: 4-6 feet deep.

Piike Fishing Cooks Bay May 28 2016

This pike was caught 6 feet deep close to Pasadena Marina in Keswick, Saturday, May 28 2016.

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admin@fishinglakesimcoe.ca (Administrator) Fishing Reports Mon, 30 May 2016 08:29:20 -0400
Pike Fishing on Little Lake, May 15 2016 https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/fishing-reports/pike-fishing-on-little-lake-may-15-2016.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/fishing-reports/pike-fishing-on-little-lake-may-15-2016.html Pike Fishing on Little Lake, May 15 2016
A few picture from Little Lake near Barrie from last Sunday. Pike fishing was good. Best bait - live minnow.

Little Lake Fishing May 2016

Little Lake Pike Fishing

Pike Fishing Little Lake May 2016

Pike Little Lake May 2016

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admin@fishinglakesimcoe.ca (Administrator) Fishing Reports Mon, 16 May 2016 09:23:27 -0400
Pike Season Opener in Southern Ontario https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/open-water/pike-season-opener-in-southern-ontario.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/open-water/pike-season-opener-in-southern-ontario.html

The Greater Toronto Area is home to many species of sought after gamefish. Within the Lake Ontario waterfront portion of Canada's most populated region, trout and salmon reign supreme among elite anglers - thanks in no small part to the influx of over one million of these salmonids that are stocked annually by MNR. Rivers from the Ganaraska in the east to the Credit and Bronte in the west offer these anglers remarkable fishing opportunities. Further north well outside of the GTA ... rivers such as the Nottawasaga, Saugeen and Syndenham also produce. This spring has been no exception ... especially with delayed rainbow runs that provided remarkable fishing opportunities even on the regular trout opener (last Saturday in April) for fishing enthusiasts.

Ah ... but what about all the waterbodies in-between like the lakes that don't have those adipose finned fish ... what big, hard fighting fish can us everyday anglers fish for now that the trout opener is behind us?

Wil Wegman

Wil with a typical Lake Simcoe pike caught on one of his favorite pike lures - The Rapala X Rap

Well just like throughout most of northern Ontario, the southern parts of our vast province hold some remarkable pike waters. Lakes such as Canal, Balsam, Simcoe, Couchiching, Sparrow, St John, Gloucester, Island and Belwood are just some examples of where great pike fishing is available within easy reach of GTA anglers. In fact, they are all within a couple of hours of Toronto Outdoors Store.* Even more exciting is that the traditional opener ... the 2nd Saturday in May, marks the start of the spring pike season - one of the most exciting times of the whole year to chase these toothy waterwolves and the store not only has the bait and tackle to hook you up, but the expertise and latest scoop to offer you invaluable one-on-one advice when you visit the store.

Our 2nd Saturday in May Opener for many anglers marks the first time in six months that their boats have hit the water or their lines have been cast. SPRING IS HERE! So let's go pike fishing and here are some tips that will help you catch more of these top gamefish this spring.

Where to Go? Consider the spawn!

Northern Pike are one of the hardest-fighting fish that roam all of these waters. Whether it's the largest of these lakes (Simcoe) or the smallest (Island in Orangeville) these lakes all have something in common. Once the ice leaves the main lake, mature pike head for shallow back bays that have channels, rivers or even just ditches for them to swim up and spawn. By early May they are usually finished and although they may not have eaten much while busy reproducing - they sure are hungry by the time they get back to the lake or river mouth come opening day and on into the rest of the open water season.

Once pike leave their spawning haunts, they take up temporary residence at adjacent 'open-lake' areas. This is a transition period - one when they don't really eat - to one where they feed voraciously to compensate for energy reserves depleted during the rigorous spawn. This special shallow water bite can last for week's on-end depending on how rapidly the spring progresses. In 2014, the prolonged winter and ... to date, slow cold spring, seems to have delayed this process ... meaning that most pike should still be quite shallow on the opener and likely for several weeks thereafter.

Anglers should look for those shallow back bays with channels ... and pay special attention to those bays on northern shores facing south that have dark muck bottoms that can absorb the suns heat. These warm quicker and can out-produce other sites during late springs 10 to 1. Additionally- if you can locate any potential pike forage ... such as large minnows, perch, sunfish or suckers ... then consider that area as a potential primo spring pike territory.

Toronto Outdoors Store is located at 11B Gordon Mackey Rd in North York. When you exit Black Creek at Jane St, turn left. Go north on Jane, pass the KFC and when you get to the car wash, turn left again. We will be on your left hand side before you get to Leons. Anglers can easily stop in to pick up fresh bait or the hottest lure on their way fishing ... bright and early as store hours cater to the keen angler. Mondays are the only day they open 'late' - at 8 am. But Tuesday-Thursday its a 6am opener and Friday-Sunday its 5am. Once you're done, you can conveniently jump on the 400 as soon as you make a right from Gordon Mackay Rd.

Pike

Wil's buddy Bob Kendal when they fished a pike tournament in Cooks Bay; Lake Simcoe

When to Go? Consider the Weather!

Spring pike are like a lot of patrons to the Toronto Outdoor Store! Both pike and people are happy an incredibly long, cold winter is behind us and spring is here but when a cold front returns it reminds us of winter and we become downright miserable. We both begin to sulk - slow to move and downright ornery. Cold, wet, windy spring weather typically results in tough pike fishing especially if warmer weather preceded it. Warm, stable weather patterns on the other hand can force these water wolves into a feeding frenzy. Even if we just get two or three days of nice warm weather following days of cool and miserable weather - it can do the trick. And, you don't really need sunny blue skies with that warm weather either. Some of my best spring pike days have been during a light, warm drizzle! All things considered however, I still contend that the best time to go fishing ... is any time you can make the time!

What to Look For? Consider the Weeds!

Although cooler than normal water temps because of less sunny warm bright days this spring will undoubtedly slow new weedgrowth production - still look for that crisp newly emerging aquatic plant growth. Many plants that pike love - especially cabbage are just starting to develop in the spring and can be pike magnets. New green weeds provide oxygen for a host of microorganisms that attract forage fish, which in turn solicit interest from hungry northerns. Brown/dead weeds from last year on the other hand can still be around but they consume oxygen.

With that in mind- if I'm in an area with lots of brown leftover weeds from last year ... I skedaddle outta there in a hurry. Finding an area that has a mixture of weed types - like green coontail, native hydrilla and cabbage is a real bonus for the spring pike hunter.

As mentioned, pike search out warmer water and so too should anglers seeking them. We can't always assume those northern shores are the warmest though - so having a water temperature reading is key. Most high quality sonar units like the Lowrance HD unit I use have temperature displays that constantly monitor surface temp. My eyes are fixed on that display continually as I anticipate even a couple of degrees of warmer water during my travels.

How To Catch Them: Consider their Activity Level!

As a general guideline when pike are active in the spring they can be caught with hard baits worked with erratic movements that simulate injured or dying baitfish. For me, nothing beats throwing Rapala X Raps or Husky Jerks for these hungry northerns as they roam shallow waters on the prowl for an easy meal. The biggest mistake however that I see anglers make in the spring ... is that they work the bait just like they would in summer. During those warm water periods, snapping that bait back to the boat vigorously is not only warranted- but often required to trigger a strike. During the spring however pulling that suspending jerkbait down and then letting it slowly rise or hang in a neutral semi-buoyant position is the ticket.

Another very effective lure that is far more popular in the north than in the southern part of Ontario ... is the lowly in-line spinner. I learned this lesson the hard way when I first began to fish many of the popular pike tournaments in the north. Here local sticks would never consider anything less than a couple of rods rigged with their favorite in line spinner. This is where I first learned how productive Blue Fox Spinners really are up there and I soon discovered firsthand just how productive they can be down here in certain situations. Today ... many southern tournament pros are secretly covering up their Blue Fox spinners - hoping other competitors don't catch on that this simple 'northern lure' is their ticket to success down here as well.

Now, when pike are not active ... they need to be coaxed into striking and this means your presentations should slow down. For artificials think soft baits - whether you opt for the reel thing and use a live minnow, chub or sucker - or elect instead to toss a soft plastic Storm Pro Paddle Tail or their Wild Eye Pro Curly Tail bait. Both of these artificials come with a unique jig head that maximizes the real-life action of the baits that pike can find irresistible. The five inch Trigger X Minnows are especially productive in clear, shallow water when pike are finicky as they can perfectly imitate a dying minnow.

Of course there are still traditionalists who swear by live bait for spring northerns and it's no surprise many good anglers have so much confidence in using the 'real thing'. Unfortunately, finding 'the right' real thing can be almost as challenging as finding those larger toothy northerns we are hunting down. Well - fret no longer my angling friends ... because thanks to the Toronto Outdoor Store there is now a steady supply of pike minnows in the 4-6, 6-8 and 8-10 inch size categories available.
Regardless of the pike's activity level or what you are casting to catch them, many southern Ontario lakes have the added challenge of coping with ultra clear water conditions thanks to zebra mussels. Clear water makes sight oriented predators like pike very weary of poor presentations. Fishing with your line too close to the boat can spook them; using a big wire leader can make them turn away and throwing your shadow overtop the spot you are casting to sends them scurrying away like big teething babies.

To adjust to these challenges ... make ultra-long casts or if you prefer to troll keep your baits well back from the boat. Instead of the wire leaders that may be fine in 'off-colored' waterbodies - use fluorocarbon leaders. I prefer 30 lb Suffix Wind-On Leaders which are invisible underwater yet strong and tough enough to keep most pike from cutting through.

Wil Pike

Wil with a typical Lake Simcoe pike caught on one of his favorite pike lures - The Rapala X Rap

Why Fish Spring Northerns? Consider the Fun Factor!

Yah ... spring pike fishing here in southern Ontario is just plain downright fun! After a long winter of staring down an ice hole it's a welcome relief to be able to get the boat out again and begin casting. Pike action isn't always fast and furious but when they do strike - there is no mistaking it. Their strength and power is remarkable - not just when you're battling them on the end of your line, but also when you get them near the boat! Be ready - for that last minute burst of energy; many big pike are lost at this very moment! Use a good sized landing net such as the Frabil crankbait net (that won't tangle your lures) and have long nosed pliers or hook extractors handy as well as jaw spreaders to make hook removal easy on you and the fish.

Pike have a limit of six with a Sport Licence and two with a Conservation Licence throughout southern Ontario. Although I release the vast majority I catch throughout the year, pike caught from fresh, clean and still-cold waters in springtime can be exceptionally fine eating if properly prepared. They do have a series of Y bones - that need to be removed, but the white flesh is firm and flaky and some actually prefer it to walleye. Of course those extra large pike are so much more fun to catch than they are good to eat- so releasing those can be an important personal contribution to sustain the future of our great pike fisheries.

Who Fishes Spring Northerns? Consider Yourself Invited!

The lakes mentioned within easy driving distance of Toronto Outdoor Store have some great spring pike fishing. Monster northerns in the 25-30 pound class may be few and far between but these lakes do have good populations of 4-10 pound fish and in some, a good shot at one over 15 pounds. Anyone who appreciates a strong fighting fish will enjoy fishing pike ... so consider this your invitation to visit the Toronto Outdoor Store, pick up some great pike tackle or bait and give pike a try this spring!

-30 -

Wil Wegman is a multi-award winning outdoor writer and tournament angler from southern Ontario. He first began fishing pike tournaments shortly after he became hooked on bass tournaments ... and that was back in 1986! His fishing articles have been published in magazines like Outdoor Canada, Ontario Out of Doors, Real Fishing, Just Fishing, Bassmaster and BASS TIMES. He is the Hooked on Fishing columnist for Lake Simcoe Living Magazine and freelances for many other newspaper and media publications. He's the former editor of BassMan Magazine and volunteered as Conservation Director for the Ontario BASS Nation from 1995-2010. In 2013 he was Angler of the Year for his Aurora Bassmasters Club. Wil can be reached thru his Focus on Fishing site at www.wilwegman.com.

SPECIAL SIDEBAR:

The TORONTO OUTDOOR STORE is providing its valued customers with some outstanding specials on Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th 2014. Rapala lures ... like those Rapala X Raps that Wil mentions in his pike article. We got em at a blow out price of just $20 for 4! At that price you'll want to stock up not only for pike lures but bass and walleye as well. Interested in fishing a pike or bass tournament? You'll want a digital weigh scale and culling system and the blowout price of $9.99 (reg $39.99) will be impossible to beat. SPECIAL - GRAB BAGS FREE TO THE FIRST 50 CUSTOMERS ON BOTH DAYS! FREE WORMS TO THE FIRST THOUSAND CUSTOMERS! LINE WINDING CLINIC, PENNY A YARD - THIS WEEKEND ONLY. For these and other great deals be sure to check out our spring flyer here

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Open water Sat, 03 May 2014 13:13:59 -0400
Pike Float Fishing https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/open-water/pike-float-fishing.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/open-water/pike-float-fishing.html Pike Float Fishing

Float fishing for northern pike has become a famous technique which got popular by European anglers. Quickly the technique caught on by all anglers and it became one of the most effective ways to target pike during all seasons. Today if you go to a famous pike fishery such as Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay or other small bodies of water, most of the fishermen are using the slip float and minnow idea.

Why is this way of fishing very popular? It's popular because it works and catches a lot of fish. The main theory behind a float is that it's a visual on the surface that tells what's happening to your bait below the surface. The slip float method is used especially to fish deep water but it can be suitable for shallow depths too. In order to make a float slip, the line must run through the float itself. The slip float keeps you informed at all times if there is hungry fish hitting your minnow.

Every pike float fisherman uses the basic setup but there are slight differences and changes of tackle that can affect your results. The main components of your setup should include a stopper, a float, lead weights, a swivel, and a leader with a hook. The different types of each component vary in ways such as using a thread stopper or a rubber one, the size and shape of float, lead split shots or sinkers, wire or fluorocarbon leaders, and single or treble hook. These are choices a pike fisherman decides after many experiences of fishing for pike.

The general starter setup would be a tall 15-25 gram slip float that is very visible in all conditions such as a Dragon, Butterfly, or ROX float in which will be adjusted by a rubber stopper to determine the depth the minnow will be suspended at. The stopper is adjusted by giving it a slight pull on the line. Adjust it to the depth required. To weigh down the float, use medium to large size split shots fairly spaced out. The bottom of the rig should include a wire leader, a size 1 or 2 treble hook tipped with a 4-6" minnow in which will be hooked through the dorsal fin or eyes for a natural action. The minnow itself should be suspended just above the weeds. This setup is most effective when it is used to fish a weedy drop off from 8-12, 12-16, and 18-25 feet. When your float fully disappears while fishing that means there is a pike engulfing your minnow. At this point your heart begins to beat at a faster pace and the adrenaline begins rushing through your body. The first thing you must do is to start reeling in the slack line to a point where you feel the weight of your rig. While reeling in the slack line, begin counting to about 8 or 12 seconds. When the count reaches to those numbers, set the hook, and yell FISH ON because you are now fighting an aggressive pike.

Landing pike

Float fishing for pike is an addictive and effective way of fishing. It is fairly simple so even beginners can catch fish. The rig only takes a minute or so to set up, it is fairly cheap and the results are excellent. These are all good reasons why this form of fishing has evolved onto a bigger scale.

Sebastian Brzezinski

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Open water Fri, 30 Aug 2013 20:35:49 -0400
Lake Simcoe. A Trophy Pike Lake? https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/open-water/lake-simcoe-a-trophy-pike-lake.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/open-water/lake-simcoe-a-trophy-pike-lake.html

Monster Pike topping the 30 pound mark are few and far between in most water bodies regardless of where these toothy critters roam. We know some systems routinely produce big pike while others have high populations
of hammer handle sized ones.

Lakes just to the north of many Fishing Lake Simcoe readers such as Muskoka, Vernon and Peninsula lakes for instance, regularly pump out short fat northerns in the 20-25 pound range. Other lakes closer to the GTA like Island, Canal and Lake St John fall into the 2nd category yielding high numbers of long thin pike averaging just a couple of pounds or so. Then there is that 3rd category; the lakes in between … Those that may not produce many gorgeously obese 20-25 pound brutes but they still generate all kinds of 10 pounders and have an average size well above the provincial norm.  These lakes could include Couchiching, Sparrow and our beloved Lake Simcoe. 

Those that may not produce many gorgeously obese 20-25 pound brutes but they still generate all kinds of 10 pounders and have an average size well above the provincial norm.  These lakes could include Couchiching, Sparrow and our beloved Lake Simcoe.

Lake Simcoe … A Trophy Pike Lake?

At one time, this 725 square mile lake was indeed recognized as a true trophy pike destination. Locals and others who fished there regularly for pike had reasonable expectations of catching that magic 25 pounder. Occasionally you would even hear stories of monster size pike in the 30 to 40 pound range. Places such as the "Virginia" basin and the southern shorelines of Georgina Island were renowned both during the open and hard water seasons as "the place to be" for big Lake Simcoe northerns.  Then the lake started to change. We all know that water bodies and their fish communities are in a continual state of metamorphosis. Patches of weeds that are lush and green in the summer and hold big schools of panfish are likely brown, dead and void of fish in the winter.

Off shore shoals that hold 5-7 pound smallmouth in the fall are not even worth visiting in late June or early July, because the fish just aren't there yet.  Understanding these and other normal seasonal-pattern changes are critical for angler success. However … throw some non native fish into that already established fish community and, well, you've got a whole new kettle of fish. Take Lake Simcoe for example and its northern pike fishery.

Lake Simcoe Is Always Changing; Damn It!

By the early 1900's Carp became widespread and changed Lake Simcoe for ever by dominating shallow water habitat that was previously occupied by such fish as largemouth bass and to some extent even northern pike.  Smelt were introduced in the 1960's and altered the forage base of many predatory fish like our northern pike. The populations of these tasty little fish skyrocketed a decade or so later but by the late 1990's had crashed to the point were they are now hardly worth the efforts of spring dip-netters. Without the smelt and subsequent crash of the native lake herring (cisco) top predators who were accustomed to gaining body mass by devouring these fatty pelagic baitfish were forced to adjust and find new, possibly less weight-enhancing food sources.

Black crappie were found in 1987 and their populations peeked a few years later to the point were they were the most abundant fish in ministry traps. As is typical with new introductions however, their numbers stabilized afterwards and these panfish are now just one of several members of the sunfish family of fishes that reside in the lake. Today there is a long list of invasive fish species, plants, and other new inhabitants that have all changed the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Simcoe.  However, of all the invasive species to enter the lake, Zebra muscles have probably had the most dominant influence. These mollusks and their quaga muscle cousins filter out phytoplankton and other nutrients resulting in clearer water, increased sunlight penetration and therefore more abundant aquatic plant growth throughout the lake.

So What Do More Weeds Mean to Lake Simcoe Pike?

With all the great 'weedy habitat' available in recent years for the northern pike, you would think that this fishery would be thriving in Lake Simcoe - and you know what - it is!  There are still plenty of northern pike in the lake, yet for various reasons that no one fully understands, it's more of a quantity deal now as opposed to quality. We have already mentioned that pike from Simcoe do not fall under the category of scrawny little hammer handles - in fact, some would argue that having a fishery that produces plenty of 4-8 pound northerns (pretty-well average for the lake) is much more desirable from an angling perspective then to have only small numbers of big 15-25 pounders lurking around.  I guess that's what makes fishing so great though - it can be so many different things for so many different people. Some like trophies ... some just wanna get bit!  Count me somewhere in the middle.

Catching Trophy Pike In Simcoe:

Recently someone erroneously reported a monster 44 pound pike caught from Lake Simcoe's Cooks Bay and even supplied the following photograph as proof. "Why, you can even see the bottom end the Bay - at the mouth of the Holland River, if you look closely", they said. And as much as I wanted to believe this to be true, something just didn't sit right.  A little bit of investigation and I soon learned that this claim was all a hoax and that the same photo made the rounds up north where it was passed off as a Rainy Lake Fish.  Alas, the big brute was not even from North America as it was verified to actually be a northern pike from the Gulf of Sweden.

Swedish Pike
This truly monster sized northern pike is not even from North America however
it is every pike anglers goal to catch BIG fish - even if they are even only half the weight of this Swedish northern.

Typically there are two times of year when most 'big' pike come from Lake Simcoe - Spring and Fall.  Although we may not see as many 15-20 pounders in the lake as we used to, they are still there and for the dedicated pike hunter - they can be caught and right now is possibly the finest time to chase these elusive yet cacheable fish from Simcoe.  Here are five quick pointers that will help steer you in the right direction not only for that occasional 15 pounder but the many smaller 6-10's that are sure to provide you with plenty of thrilling excitement:

1. Trolling weed edges and deep breaks can be an excellent way to locate big pike. Keep in mind though that as the fall season progresses and the water cools, you need to slow your trolling speed down to almost a crawl. Big oversized spinnerbaits are great trolling overtop heavy weeds. Large crankbaits such as the Rapala Super Shad Rap are great when you are trolling the deep edge of a distinct weedline.

2. Clear water makes sight oriented predators like pike very weary of poor presentations. Fishing with your line too close to the boat can spook them, using a big wire leader can make them turn away, throwing your shadow overtop the spot you are casting to sends them the signal that you - the big manly predator that you are, is around. So be conscious of these 'new' factors that have been accentuated ever since zebra muscles infiltrated the lake.  Make long casts, troll far behind the boat and watch that shadow will ya huh?

3. Look for crisp clean green weed growth. Many aquatic plants are now dying off and their brown color is a sure give away. Significant portions of weeds and often entire weebeds however continue to live long into the winter period so you can definitely still find beautiful green weeds right now. Finding concentrations of a mixture of weed types - like both coontail, native hydrilla and cabbage - is a real bonus for the fall pike hunter.

4. The deeper the weedline - or edge of a weedline, the better!  It may take some doing to find a good weedy edge that abuts water 20 feet deep or more - but these trophy pike haunts are present in ample supply on Lake Simcoe. Quite likely they are not as common throughout much of their historic Georgina Island territory but you need not look too much further than the weediest section of the entire lake - Cooks Bay. Today this is where most pike fishermen congregate and for good reason - more pike are likely caught here then in the rest of the lake combined. However, I can tell you that for Fish On Line Canada readers who may want to explore some lesser fished pike lairs when the northwest winds lay still, you may want to venture a little bit north of there.  Big Cedar Point, Innisfil and even way out by Fox Island there are some hidden little gems that can produce some of the biggest pike still roaming the big lake. Deep running crankbaits like Rapala's firetiger colored DT 16 are a great crank because they go deep and you can cast them a mile.

Rapala DT 16
This 8 pound Lake Simcoe northern came from a deep weedline on the last day of September/06 during rainy, windy, overcast conditions. It fell for a bright chartreuses Rapala DT 16. On calm, clear sunny days Wil prefersmore natural smelt, or perch like colors to trick big toothy critters from Simcoe.
Rapala DT 16
Pike anglers know their quarry often make last second dashes away from the boat … so be prepared!
Rapala DT 16
Grabbing pike from beside the boat can be tricky at the best of times, let alone when they hit a crankbait loaded with big treble hooks. Always be extra carefull and hold the fish firmly so you can remove the hooks as quickly and safely as possible before live release

5. Slow down even more! If traditional hard baits don't produce by either casting or trolling, you many need to revert to still fishing with plastics ... or dare I say even live bait. Find a good edge - or possibly even where you have just nailed a good pike on a deep weedline while trolling, throw a marker and work the area more thoroughly with a jig and plastic. Some of my most productive jig additions include the large size Berkley Gulp Smelt baits. Large curly tailed grubs also can be slowly crawled or bumped along bottom to entice big pike. There are those who swear by live bait presentation. Whether it's large lively chubs or oversized suckers and these are often just too darn tempting for even the finickiest pike to refuse.   

Wil Wegman
Wil with a nice … above average sized Lake Simcoe northern

So next time you are heading to Lake Simcoe for some exciting fall pike fishing action, keep in mind that the lake is always changing and that an angler who adapts to those changes is going to be the angler who continues to get bit! And, I don't care how many anglers tell me they don't really care if they don't get bit …that it's all about "just going fishing" … I say HAWGWASH, I can see your noses growing from here. Everyone loves to GET BIT - so work at it, continue to study and learn, make excuses to go fishing not, ‘not' to go and then continue to adapt - just like fish have had to.

Wil Wegman

Courtesy Fish On Line Canada

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Open water Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:06:16 -0400
Fishing in Barrie https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/maps/fishing-in-barrie.html https://www.fishinglakesimcoe.ca/articles/maps/fishing-in-barrie.html Fishing in Barrie

Shore fishing opportunities in Barrie. Shore access, public boat launch and parking available.

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admin@fishinglakesimcoe.ca (Administrator) Maps Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:27:24 -0400