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Help if you were going pike fishing on the PO river tomorrow what would you do?

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:02 pm
by Fish-N-Fool
I'm planing to hit the PO river tomorrow to chase cold water Pike and I'm looking for some input on what you all think would be the best type of water to fish and at what depth. Should I fish deep (like 30+ ft.) slow water, shallow (like 12 to 15ft)still water? Anyone think the fish would be in less then 12 feet of water or in the current? I don't, but not really sure how to find them this time of year, so any info would be helpful. Also what method do you think would be the most productive? I was thinking dead herring rig under a slip bobber and maybe some suspending jerkbaits fished reallllllllllllly slow. lol
Anybody ever fish for them this time of year not through the ice? I kinda think they might be in that calm water in the 12 to about 18 feet deep. I got the bug last nite to catch a toothy critter so Off we go. :cyclopsan

RE:Help if you were going pike fishing on the PO river tomorrow what would you do?

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:49 pm
by Fish_Bait111397
I did some research and all I could find is the bigger pike will be in the shallower water after small fish early morning.

RE:Help if you were going pike fishing on the PO river tomorrow what would you do?

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:59 pm
by sparky1doug
Just a guess here. Too early to be shallow, they don't have enough energy to fight the current, slow and low. Bait fish are schooled and in deep channels where they might find a warmer pocket of water where they can feed. Back eddies with vegatation keeps the water just a little warmer. Good luck and good fishing.>:"":>
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RE:Help if you were going pike fishing on the PO river tomorrow what would you do?

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:03 am
by YJ Guide Service
I agree Sparky deep and on the weed lines. Alot depends on the water level and speed right now and it will throughout the season up there. At some point they will start looking for that warmer shallower water.

RE:Help if you were going pike fishing on the PO river tomorrow what would you do?

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:24 am
by lonnie197272
When I was fishing for them in ID at Hayden Lake and Chain lakes we would fish pretty shallow for them at this time of year. Either smelt or shrimp under a bobber in 10 -12 ft of water or shallower. I would also throw a soft jerk bait with no weight and very slowly work it back to the boat. Not sure how this would translate to PO but just my 2 cents.

RE:Help if you were going pike fishing on the PO river tomorrow what would you do?

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:59 pm
by Natebg1
I will try and put some input into the question here. From experience with fishing for Cold Water Pike, more than likely no matter if it is a lake or river the bigger ones are almost always sitting deeper off of Channel Points, Rocky Points and also sitting off the Weed Edges waiting for an easy meal to come swimming by. Other areas they may be when it is Cold like it is right now are near the Dams waiting for warmer flowing water to come thru with baitfish. Now for #'s you can bet that there are small to middle size Pike up shallower just because for some reason they don't mind the cooler water. In the midwest we usually say it is because (the Hammer handles) are still to dumb to know the difference in the temp of the water LOL... That is just my two cents on the question. Stay warm and keep the lines tight and reels spinning!!!

Nate