Topwater for Pike?

[CubanFisherman]

I recently bought an XL Jitterbug for muskie fishing, and I was wondering if it is useful for catching pike. Is it a common occurance for pike to feed on the surface?

[MGV]

I have caught them once in a while on topwater. But not very consistent. Don't know if there is a trick to this.

[ccavacini]

I've found Pike will more likely hit a topwater bait if it makes a lot of noise...I twitch a Rapala for topwater Bass...for Pike, I use a Buzz Bait.

[ESOX]

I have caught just about everything you can imagine on a muskie jitterbug at night, including a 7" rock bass.LOL
I have since quit using them because I had two in the last couple of years self destruct in a muskies mouth. They just ain't tough enough. Hooks pull out, the tie eye breaks out of the lip etc.
As far as surface pike, I like Smithwick Devils Horses and buzz baits.

[Dedge]

For surface I like buzzbaits and have had some success using poppers as well. Usually when we are fishing topwater for smallies we will hook up with at least one northern.

Dan

[booktens]

Pike are very aggresive top water feeders !!!

[wally-eye]

Amen on the black/chartruese buzz bait over a weed bed............

WATCH THE FOLLOWS TO THE BOAT. Notorius for following right up to the boat and then sit there and watch you...............figure 8s in the water sometimes will hook em......

[icefishermanmark]

buzz baits

[CubanFisherman]

Wow, thanks guys. The only time I've caught a pike on the surface was when I ripping a stickbait that had the line tangled in the hooks. I thought it was a fluke, but I guess I should try your suggestions. Thanks again!

[RyGuy525]

I've found that a red and white Zara Spook catches a whole lot of pike!

[fishonbb]

I USE TO CATCH ALOT OF PIKE ON BUZZBAITS WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW AND I HAVE CAUGHT ONE IN THE LILLYPADS USING A GRASSFROG!

[Arin]

I've had quite a few takes on 5" spooks. Had one pike jump clear out of the water..

[Dedge]

I was fishing a small inland lake up this way last year. We had smelt under bobbers behind the boat and we were using the electric motor to go real slow and pitch spinnerbaits toward the shore. Anyway we started getting pushed out to sea so I decided to fire up the gas motor and get us back to where we wanted to be. My buddy mentioned that the bobbers were going to get tangled up behind the boat, (we were going about 7 or 8 mph) so I looked back and the smelt were just skipping along the water, and all of a sudden a 24 or 25 inch northern comes flying out of the water. It looked just like a barracuda chasing a teaser on those saltwater fishing shows. It did this about 6 or 7 times. I was laughing too hard to slow down enough to let the darn fish actually get it.

So maybe try using a smelt and trolling at about 8 mph.:D


Dan

[Little Roober]

It always seems to me that when im bass fishing with a hula popper or skitter pop a pike just comes by breaks the line and takes my best bait for the afternoon.