Comins lake pike

[Stubbs65]

Hello everyone, I live in Utah so I usually post on the Utah forum. I am going to be camping with my brother in Ely over memorial day weekend, and I was wondering if anyone has any information on catching pike out of Comins lake? I live a couple miles away from Utah Lake, so I mostly fish for cat fish, or I fish up Provo canyon for trout. I have never caught a pike, and I have heard that pike are all that is left in Comins. I have done a little research and most people say the pike are not very big due to over population, but I still think it would be fun to add pike to my list of fish I have caught. I will most likely fish from shore, or from a float tube. I would be grateful for any information that anyone can give me. I have never fished Comins (or any where near Ely) so it would be awesome to get some insider advice on bait, lures, techniques, and places at Comins that I might have success catching pike. Thanks!
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[deron09]

Hi Stubbs65,

I grew up in northern Wisconsin, and used to fish pike and muskie all the time.

Pike are extremely territorial and that plays into catching them rather well. They are very aggressive, and will chase just about anything they see!

I used to catch them all day using Mepps Agila #5 bucktail spinners. Gold, silver blades....didn't really matter. Rapalas worked very well - however if you use any balsa lures, the pike are going to tear it up. They have very bony mouths with very sharp teeth!

Cranks and lipless cranks will work too - but I preferred Mepps spinners.

Live bait works very well too - used to catch them on BIG crawlers, minnows, and suckers. They'll knock the hell out it - they don't nibble!!

Whatever you do - USE WIRE LEADERS. They are not shy, so you won't spook them off...don't worry about the "the fish can see my line" concept with pike. Leaders are necessary, they will bite right through line....very sharp teeth, and lots of them.

If you're walking the shore and scare one up (they will, and do, come very shallow....I've actually seen the damn things chasing baby ducks!) - start working the area - they won't go far. Very territorial, like I said. They are voracious eaters, so any time of day works for catching them....just have to find them.

I don't know anything about the lake you're going to - but back home, when I was fishing for pike it was all about weeds. Lily pads, reeds, and submerged weed/grass beds are where the pike hang out. Find those areas on that lake, and you'll find what you're looking for. They are definitely NOT an open water fish....total ambush predators.

Tell you what - keep a few of the bigger ones you catch. They are very good eating! Friday night fish frys back home were regular routine - and pike was routinely served along with walleye. They really are good eating.

If you keep them - look online as to how to fillet them. They have a y-shaped bone that you have to cut out - it's not hard, but you have to know how to do it.

Best of luck to you - hope you can find a 3 footer, which was pretty routine back where I'm from. Hell of alot of fun!
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[GEEZER]

I hope you catch a few while you're out there. I'd recommend you concentrate more on the north section of the lake if you're walking the shore. Comins is kinda shaped like an hourglass. The south part is often tough to fish from shore because of the reeds. I'd use something that tends to run pretty shallow 'cause the weeds get pretty close to the surface. Maybe not so much this early in the year. Daredevils, big Mepps spinners & stuff like that will get them. If you take your tube, the south end might be good too. I used to fish it by just moving the boat really slow and watching for them. They'll often lay just barely in the weeds with the top of their head & eyes visible. You almost have to wear polarized glasses to see them. Cast past them a bit & get ready. When one makes a run at your lure, the speed they attack with is almost unbelieveable. Another thing, when your lure is almost in, don't lift it right out of the water. Leave it just under the surface & jig it a few times. I don't know hao many times i've had one hit just as I was lifting the lure from the water. Good luck & kill 'em if you catch any.
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