03-11-2007, 09:25 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I already know about using live kokanee at the Gorge.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, I will try to offer some insight on the pike in Yuba. THERE AIN'T NO SECRET LURES.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It would probably be harder to find something they WON'T hit than a lure they WILL hit. Over the years pike have been caught on just about everything you can think of. Back in the days when the walleye crowd fished with crawler harnesses they got some big pike on those.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have caught them on all kinds of hardbaits and plastics, of all sizes and colors. I think the trick is more in finding the fish and getting something in front of them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That being said, the most consistent success, among those who actively pursue those toothy critters, are with perch colored medium diving crankbaits...like the perch shad rap. If you can keep the pesky perch away, you can catch northerns.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Other good lures are spinnerbaits...in white, chartreuse or fire tiger colors. Gold blades work best...big Colorado or willowleaf. Just work the shoreline like you would for springtime bass...runnin' and gunnin'...chunkin' and windin'. If you come to an area of rocks coming down into the water, or visible structure like sunken brush, slow down and work that area a bit harder. Main lake points are good too, but there aren't many in Yuba.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of the pike hooked in Yuba are probably hooked by accident...by anglers fishing for trout, perch or walleyes. A high percentage of these accidental incounters end up in a few hard tugs and then a slack line, as the sharp teeth part the line. But, there are still quite a few that are brought in, if they are hooked on spinners or spoons meant for trout and are hooked in the lip. I once saw a kid scream and drop his rod when he saw what was on the end of his line.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have not heard of anybody deliberately targeting pike with a flyrod but they are popular with the longrod crowd in other parts of the country. They hit big streamers and even topwater stuff if you fish it in the right place at the right time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After the pike finish spawning, in early spring, you will find them wherever the perch congregate. Find schools of perch on your sonar, or by casting inshore, and you are likely to find at least one pike nearby. Perch are the number one forage item for these predators. Almost any pike from Yuba that I know of that has been kept and filleted has the remnants of one or more good sized perch in it. (See attached pic)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since the perch stay in water less than 20 feet deep most of the warmer months of the year, that's also where you will be fishing for pike. When the perch go deep in the late fall, the pike will follow and will be as deep as 60 feet. I have taken them that deep while vertical jigging for perch around Thanksgiving (in years past).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hope that helps.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If not kokanee...burbot?[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, I will try to offer some insight on the pike in Yuba. THERE AIN'T NO SECRET LURES.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It would probably be harder to find something they WON'T hit than a lure they WILL hit. Over the years pike have been caught on just about everything you can think of. Back in the days when the walleye crowd fished with crawler harnesses they got some big pike on those.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have caught them on all kinds of hardbaits and plastics, of all sizes and colors. I think the trick is more in finding the fish and getting something in front of them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, the most consistent success, among those who actively pursue those toothy critters, are with perch colored medium diving crankbaits...like the perch shad rap. If you can keep the pesky perch away, you can catch northerns.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Other good lures are spinnerbaits...in white, chartreuse or fire tiger colors. Gold blades work best...big Colorado or willowleaf. Just work the shoreline like you would for springtime bass...runnin' and gunnin'...chunkin' and windin'. If you come to an area of rocks coming down into the water, or visible structure like sunken brush, slow down and work that area a bit harder. Main lake points are good too, but there aren't many in Yuba.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Most of the pike hooked in Yuba are probably hooked by accident...by anglers fishing for trout, perch or walleyes. A high percentage of these accidental incounters end up in a few hard tugs and then a slack line, as the sharp teeth part the line. But, there are still quite a few that are brought in, if they are hooked on spinners or spoons meant for trout and are hooked in the lip. I once saw a kid scream and drop his rod when he saw what was on the end of his line.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have not heard of anybody deliberately targeting pike with a flyrod but they are popular with the longrod crowd in other parts of the country. They hit big streamers and even topwater stuff if you fish it in the right place at the right time.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]After the pike finish spawning, in early spring, you will find them wherever the perch congregate. Find schools of perch on your sonar, or by casting inshore, and you are likely to find at least one pike nearby. Perch are the number one forage item for these predators. Almost any pike from Yuba that I know of that has been kept and filleted has the remnants of one or more good sized perch in it. (See attached pic)[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Since the perch stay in water less than 20 feet deep most of the warmer months of the year, that's also where you will be fishing for pike. When the perch go deep in the late fall, the pike will follow and will be as deep as 60 feet. I have taken them that deep while vertical jigging for perch around Thanksgiving (in years past).[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Hope that helps.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If not kokanee...burbot?[/#0000ff]
[signature]