Kingfisher wrote on Feb 10^th, 2014 at 5:38am:

Does anybody target Northern Pike for all or some of their trips? If you do I'm wondering what concessions you make for tackle and tactics and how you might alter your overall fishing plan.

KF,

I used to target pike more specifically, and I would carry more spinner baits, buzz baits, muskie killers, etc. Over time I've found that I catch enough pike fishing for bass and walleye that I have significantly cut back on pike-specific lures. I still carry a few spinner baits and #5 Mepps, but that's about it.

I've never scheduled a trip around pike fishing. My trips are usually scheduled around what else is going on in my life, family events, etc.

Biggest pike I ever caught in the Q was also lost boat-side, which I blame in part on my fish grippers. In truth, he wasn't yet ready to be landed, so when I touched him that final flurry set him free. Nice fish; I'll never forget that moment when he came up shallow enough that I could see how big he was... my wife freaked, she didn't expect to see anything like that. ;D

Ranger