Take A Spin With Trophy Pike

As we eased into range, I sized up the dense patch of water cabbage skirting the shoreline of a remote Northern Saskatchewan backwater. As I launched a 1-ounce Northland Reed Runner spinnerbait, I was ready for the attack; but I probably wasn’t fully ready for what attacked.

Making my first visit to the Canadian Shield’s vast and rugged wilderness, I left Tampa, Florida with visions of giant pike. The Sunshine State holds plenty of big predators in shallow, weedy ponds, but this; this was impressive.

Sure, our southern ditch lizards won’t survive Canadian winters, but when 45 inches of Saskatchewan grass gator burst from the cabbage, it was like nothing I’d ever seen. Pure adrenalin, the attack angle provided a perfect look at those massive, toothy jaws flaring and snapping around my big bait.

Thankfully, I haven’t stared down the gullet of too many alligators (If my wife reads this: Honey, the number is very, very low.), but once you’ve seen it, the image never leaves you.

Same with giant pike.

Several years and over 3,000 miles removed, I can still see the sun glimmer on those teeth and the missile-lock focus of those dark eyes, as the pond boss closed in for the kill.

Good thing that habitat grows back quickly, because we tore up a bunch of it.

Simply Astounding

Bret Amundson, who splits his year between Minnesota and Northern Saskatchewan’s Tazin Lake Lodge, shares the big pike affection. He’s wrangled his share of giants, but the thrill never fades.

"There’s something about catching big fish that make you want to catch bigger fish,” he said. “In most bodies of water in the upper Midwest and Canada, the apex predator is the northern pike. With a trophy benchmark of 40 inches, big pike are as aggressive as fish get.

“As you go farther north and you start talking about 50-inch giants and when you see one for the first time, you can’t believe how big they are.”

No doubt, whether you hook ‘em out of sight in deeper water, or watch the drama unfold start to finish, pike in this “trophy” class look like dinosaurs. Add to this the brazen attitude of a creature that knows absolutely nothing in the water will mess with them and you have the fish of fantasy.

Spin to Win

So, what does a giant pike eat? Whatever it wants.

An old joke, but one with clarity rivaling the waters in which these whoppers live. That means many viable bait options; but while a selection of topwaters, swimbaits and spoons make sense, you always want to keep the flashy, vibrating stuff handy.

Pretty much an all-terrain lure that mimics the sizable forage profile the giants seek, a big spinnerbait will typically attract the ones you’re looking for.

“Spinnerbaits are always my backup strategy and at times, my go to,” Amundson said. “The flash and vibration can trigger a strike when most other baits fail. There is something irresistible about spinners that drive pike crazy.”

No Limits: “Spinnerbaits can be great when fishing weeds or weed edges,” Amundson adds. “They can be weedless enough to let you get into those areas where big pike are hiding and keep you from getting hung up on each cast.”

Lauding this lure’s versatility, Amundson said pike anglers do well by casting shallow or combining the bait with some sort of weight to get it down and troll deep ledges, humps and other big pike haunts.”

The Look: Amundson said he finds that bright colors work well in most situations. He may adjust based on water clarity, but white with shiny silver blades is a tough combo to beat.

“When it comes to inline spinners, I will go with a Mepps #5 with a white/red bucktail before I try anything else,” he said. “Red and white has always been a good (in-line) combo for pike.

“I prefer not using trailers or trailer hooks, mostly for safety of the angler and safety of the pike. While a trailer can help for short bites, in the north, pike can be aggressive enough that you don’t need it.”

Pike Pointers

A couple of things to consider on your next pike mission.

Tackle Up: If you like the light tackle game, target those arctic grayling, whitefish, and yellow perch. Serious pike require serious gear, otherwise you’ll only get your feelings hurt. “You’ll want a heavy casting rod and a size 300 or 400 reel that that has some speed,” he said. “I like to have 50-pound braid and titanium leaders.”

Sneak Attacks: Another great memory from my Saskatchewan trip occurred a couple hours after my 45-incher, as my group explored a small creek. While admiring another angler’s recent catch, I dangled that same spinnerbait next to the boat.

Feeling a sudden tug, I turned to shake my bait free from what I had assumed to be a vegetation snag, only to see the back end of a hefty pike heading for cover. Unbridled aggression and the power to back it up.

That’s what northern pike bring to the table.

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