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I have a buddy that lives down in Nephi, and he really wants me to go out to Yuba with him to fish for pike. Neither of us have ever tried pike fishing, so we have no idea what we are doing. I've heard that you need to have a steel leader because their teeth will cut regular line. Other than that, I am clueless. We both have float tubes, and I have a boat. I'm just not sure if it is worth hauling my boat down there or not. The DWR website said that pike are in the shallows and can be caught from shore right now. What kinds of baits and lures should we try? What fishing technique is effective for pike? I was thinking about soaking a minnow/carp meat from shore or maybe float tubing out a ways and casting back into the shoreline. I'm no sure if either of those things would work though. So, any tips or tricks that any one knows would be appreciated. Also, any bait or lure suggestions would be great too. Thanks!
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Yuba is tough. I'd throw mepps #5 bucktails, daredevils, and crank baits and hope to get into them. I'd definitely take a boat personally. Tubedude, no offense ha ha. I have only fished Yuba once and was skunked. I've caught thousands of N. Pike in WI with the above baits.
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[cool][#0000ff]Okay, okay.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I can honestly say that I have only caught one Yuba pike while fishing for pike. But, I have caught several while fishing for perch or walleyes. I never use a wire leader...but I have had "premature releases" with frayed ends on my leaders.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Pike in WI and MN are so easy they should not be allowed in one's lifetime totals. They's trash fish.[/#0000ff]
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You're kidding right! They are a good eating fish (once you figure out filleting out the Y bones), I prefer them over the wipers and they put up a pretty good fight especially when you catch them on top water plugs. One of my most memorable experiences was landing a 10 lb. plus northern pike while fishing in a tube for bass, no net and what a hoot.[fishin]
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Tasty trash fish
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I don't usually take home the fish any way. I'm in it for the sport of catching the fish and then taking pictures to brag about it . I haven't really caught anything worth bragging about this year, but I'm sure a pike would feel good on my fishing record!
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[cool][#0000ff]Of course I am kidding. Love to catch them and love to eat them. I am a veteran of filleting them...and eating them. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My reference to trash fish was whenever any species becomes too common and easy to catch the thrill subsides and there is not the same degree of anticipation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My preference is for pike in the 5 to 6 pound range for eating. [/#0000ff]
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5-6 lb is almost too big. I love pike, they are as good of eating fish as any including walleye and panfish.
I consider trout to be garbage fish so I knew exactly what you meant when you posted.
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[quote submoa]5-6 lb is almost too big. I love pike, they are as good of eating fish as any including walleye and panfish.
I consider trout to be garbage fish so I knew exactly what you meant when you posted.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]I definitely agree on the table qualities of pike. My wife and I like to either grill them or saute chunks of fillet in garlic butter. We have both commented that the flavor, texture and flakiness are not unlike halibut.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like most species, younger fish are better eating. But catching a pike smaller than 5 pounds in Yuba is almost as difficult as catching one over 40 inches. They grow fast in there.[/#0000ff]
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That sounds good, I will have to try it that way. I pretty much fry them in filleted sections about three inches wide and as tall as the fillet. Shore lunch or zattarans and its like a crack addiction. I'm going to go crazy if I don't get some fried fish soon ha ha. Maybe I'll get out this afternoon or this weekend for this years initial outing. I've been investing in the marine mechanics economy so far and haven't been able to get out because of that.
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ya might want to cutt your teeth on the pike at redmond first.. easyer to catch and ya can get some experince.. fishing for them..
if your set on yuba then here is what i know.. this time last year a buddy was catching them from shoure with a gold spin-a-lure. and a gold backed, not silver, red and white spoon.
i have found trolling a j-13 rapala in perch or fire tiger. works good too. stay clost to shoure and make sure your draging bottom every now and then.. i cought some walleye doing that last year as well.. then there is allways the bottom bouncer and worm or minnow.. the pike and walleye will go for ether one of them as well.
your takeing on a new specis and there is a lurning curve to them.. it and can take a while to get your first pike. but keep trying you'll get it sooner or later..
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