I live in Canada and love Pike and Chain Pickerel fishing every chance I get. They are just so explosive that I can’t get enough of them. I even would like to get a hook or two into a nice big Musky, now that I know we do have them where I live.

Fishing has been a hobby for many years and I love introducing people to my hobby and watch them take up a new hobby.

I have one new friend I introduced to Chain pickerel about 2 years ago and he can’t get enough of them. He never wants to fish anything else. That’s how much fun they are.

BTW: We practice catch and release so our kids and their kids can enjoy this hobby as much as we do now. Keep our waters and land clean for our future.

I really like using the ole fly rod on these toothy critters but my buddy isn’t quite ready for that but I will be sure to get him to bring his fly rod every time we go. I have had days in the heat of summer when there isn’t a breeze anywhere. What a great time to get the fly rod out. I’ve had days where I have caught dozens of pickerel and had to call it a day because my arms where just worn completely out.

Using Big Lures Catches Bigger Fish, Sometimes.

I said sometimes because these pike and pickerel are nuts and will hit just about anything that moves. Even the little guys about the size of a hammer handle like taking on a huge lure that is almost as big as they are. It’s all great fun.

Most of the time when I am fishing I am using something that resembles what the fish I am after eat but not with pike or chain pickerel. I think I could tie just about anything on and toss it in and they would still go after it. I really like getting out the biggest and ugliest lure than you would wonder why I ever purchased it and throw it at them just to show people they will go for almost anything.

But, if you have a lure that does look like something local, like a bait fish, mouse our even a small bird and you will get action, lots of action most days. I have learned not to stick my fingers in the water when pike fishing for just that reason.

I’ll mention three categories that lures fit into and you would be hard pressed to find something they won’t go after most of the time.

• Spoons
• Spinners
• Live Bait

The first category I mentioned is spoons. This is where I started with pike fishing many many years ago and it still works great today. Pike and Pickerel just can’t let it go, the motion is just too erratic for them to ignore. I very seldom ever miss a strike using spoons.

When it comes to using spinner baits go big or stay home. You will get a lot more hookups that stay on if you choose to use larger baits, even adding a trailer hook like we do for bass fishing. The trailer hook will help with the short strikes pike and pickerel are known for.

If I am going to use swim baits I like to match the hatch as they say and feed them what they are already eating.

What it comes down to as far as I am concerned, when fishing pike and chain pickerel is to get something in the water and you’ll do fine most of the time.

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