The allure of pike fishing has been intertwined with legend and history, often portrayed as fierce aquatic predators. Their notorious reputation, akin to the mythical creatures of old, makes landing a monster pike in the fall a dream come true for many anglers. Here’s how to achieve this legendary feat:
Fall Pike Behavior: Pike, despite being classified as warm-water fish, are known for their preference for cold water. During the majority of the year, they stay in deep waters to maintain an optimal temperature range. However, as autumn approaches and water temperatures drop, these massive pike venture into shallower areas to feed.
In early autumn, large pike follows schools of spawning baitfish onto sand and gravel bars, gobbling them up like Halloween candy. As the season progresses, they move into expansive weed beds, preying on smaller fish seeking refuge. In late fall, when water temperatures fall below 50 degrees, pike wait on the fringes of the deepest and lushest vegetation, lurking for unsuspecting prey.
Equipment for Fall Pike: Preparing to battle these formidable fish means upgrading your gear. For spin anglers and bait fishermen, a medium-heavy to heavy action rod matched with 30- to 50-pound test braided line is essential. This setup ensures you can handle these mighty creatures and disentangle your line from any snags you may encounter. Large 3/0 to 5/0 hooks are ideal for bait fishing, providing a firm grip on live bait and guaranteeing a solid hookset.
Fly anglers should opt for heavy rods, suitable for muskie or saltwater quarry. A 9-foot, 8-weight to 10-weight fly rod works well, but an 11-weight or 12-weight is a smart choice, especially in windy conditions. Leaders and tippet in the 12- to 25-pound range are advisable. Additionally, attaching a length of bite wire or a wire leader to your line is crucial to protect your bait, lure, or fly from the pike’s razor-sharp teeth.
Best Lures, Baits, and Flies for Fall Pike: Unlike other seasons, fall pike demand substantial meals. While they can be caught on various baits during spring and summer, targeting them in autumn requires going big. For bait anglers, large live and dead baits, such as 8- to 10-inch suckers or herring, are excellent choices. Alternatively, larger panfish species, like bluegill or perch, are viable, provided they are legally allowed in your area. A slip bobber rig suspending baits just above the weeds ensures success.
Lure anglers should upscale their lures. Big autumn pike are hunting for sizeable chunks of meat, so using large spinnerbaits and jerkbaits is essential. Fly anglers can utilize large streamers typically used for muskie fishing. These massive flies will attract monster pike. Notable patterns include the Double Buford, Dragontail, Jerkchanger, and Cohen’s Manbearpig.
Best Fishing Methods for Fall Pike: Focus on the edges of weed beds, drop-offs, and structures. These areas are where big pike hunt in the fall, primarily in water depths ranging from 5 to 15 feet. Bait anglers should position their baits to suspend one or two feet above the bottom while casting them into likely areas. Slow drifting or following the current ensures your bait passes multiple locations, increasing your chances of a strike.
Trolling the edges, particularly along the inside, curving edges of structures, is an efficient way to cover water. The use of an umbrella rig or large jerkbait allows you to troll the outermost edge of the structure and gradually move into shallower waters to provoke a strike.
Lure and fly anglers can cast their lures and flies into shallow water and retrieve them out over drop-offs or structures, methodically working from shallow to deep waters. Varying your retrieval speed and incorporating pauses makes your bait look like injured prey, enticing pike strikes.
Legends of the Fall: Pike, with their brutal dominance and mysterious aura, have etched themselves into angling history. During the crisp autumn days, one can’t help but imagine these leviathans lurking beneath the water’s surface. The thrill of pike fishing in the fall comes with a tinge of wonder and fear, conjuring images of giant predators lurking beneath your boat. It’s a sensation that makes you tighten your life jacket and remember the legends that make pike fishing a truly mythical experience.
Images/Source: MeatEater
