ọdịnaya
Many anglers are accustomed to the idea that on the rivers pike invariably occupies areas with a slow current, and avoids fast flow, and therefore catching pike on surface spinning lures is of little use. But actually it is not.
On fast rivers, pike very often, almost constantly, coexists with asp on the riffles. He sits in the race behind the underwater dunes of sandy spits and goes out to hunt on the border of the rebound stream and the reverse current. Moreover, pike hunting is often accompanied by a noisy fight, which is often mistaken for asp.
When using any asp popper or similar surface lure, there is a very high probability of catching pike in typical spots for this fish. And if you are not ready for this, then the bite of a toothy predator in most cases ends with a lifelessly sagging cord and a bitten bait remaining in the pike’s mouth. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures, which we will discuss in this article.
Time of active biting pike on surface baits
Pike fishing is more or less simple in this regard. Its surface activity can be observed almost all day with two peaks – in the morning and in the evening. Therefore, if there is a desire to catch a trophy specimen, then you need to arrive at the reservoir before dawn. Tackle should be ready for pike fishing with the first rays of the sun.
It is at this moment that you are likely to hear the first bursts. Depending on the circumstances, zhor can continue at different times. Sometimes it subsides before full dawn, and sometimes it is possible to catch even longer. Pike fishing at sunset is also successful. At this time, medium-sized pike are often especially active. So, leaving for one-day fishing at night, you can fish at dawn. After that, arrange a daytime rest (after all, you still have to return home), and then repeat your fishing trip, but in the evening.
Dependence of predator activity on the fishing season
Each year, of course, has its own differences: when spring is late, and when autumn starts too early. But on average, good results when fishing for pike on surface baits can be expected in a season of relatively warm water. Approximately from the second half of May to the first half of September.
If we digress a little from the immediate topic – that is, from fishing on the rivers. It is worth noting that in shallow bays and lakes, when fishing for pike and perch, the season lasts even longer. The weather can have a significant impact. In addition to the weather, a significant factor affecting the bite is the water level. On regulated rivers, it can vary widely, having, depending on the location, a different effect on the bite.
Top 5 Surface Lures for Pike
Lures play an important role in achieving a good result with such fishing. And their choice is dictated, first of all, by the conditions of fishing. As mentioned above, fishing places on the river are sometimes distinguished by very strong and at the same time multidirectional current. On its way, the bait can move across the current, against a very strong current (on a rebound stream) and even downstream if it is carried to the return line. Therefore, the bait must be adapted to the wiring in all these cases.
Of course, a lot depends on the ability of the angler to control the surface bait in various conditions, but this does not mean that the choice of surface bait can be taken without due attention, since not all of them are able to adequately play when fishing against a fast current.
Bait balancing
It is almost impossible to choose a bait that will meet our requirements “by eye”. The fact is that much depends here on balancing, which directly affects the position in the water.
Most of the baits, which without any special tricks are capable of retrieving in jets of different speeds and directions, have a heavily loaded tail section. And on the surface of the water, they are not located horizontally, but with a very strong “trim to the stern”, that is, tilted back. It even happens that their position is very close to vertical.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but if you choose a bait from unfamiliar models. It is precisely among baits with such balancing that it is more likely to find something suitable. By choosing such a bait, we automatically get a long-range and accurate cast as a bonus. The bait flies smoothly and does not tumble in flight.
1. Stickbait Lucky Craft Gunfish
The bait, in my opinion, is a kind of symbiosis between a popper and a walker. This is a very interesting and multifunctional stickbait, which allows you to work both in fast currents and in reservoirs with stagnant water. Even at very fast current, the stickbait’s game does not go into a tailspin, and he continues to play attractively, drawing a snake on the surface (the so-called Walking the Dog wiring). In areas with no currents and calm surfaces, the Lucky Craft Gunfish stickbait leaves an attractive path of air bubbles. Wiring for pike is constant short and rhythmic jerks with a rod with a reel picking up the slack in the line. The flight qualities of the bait are just 5+, except for pike, asp and perch take this bait well.
2. Walker Lucky Craft Bevy Pencil
This walker belongs to the category of universal baits that can work in any conditions. It shows excellent results, both on the flow and on reservoirs with stagnant water. Despite its small size – length 6 cm and weight 3,7 g – this “pencil” (this is how Pensil literally sounds in English) has a very long and accurate cast, since its center of gravity is located closer to the tail. Pike fishing with this surface lure is a success, and is also ideal for perch, asp, chub and even walleye.
3. Popper YO-ZURI Silver Pop
This popper is positioned as topwater for salt water, but, despite this, it was to the taste of the inhabitants of our reservoirs, such as pike and perch. It should be noted that it is better to replace the triplets on the popper. Since the implementation of bites leaves much to be desired, the best choice is Owner. YO-ZURI Silver Pop has very decent flight characteristics at 5+. Another positive quality of this popper: despite the ripples and excitement, it does not stop gurgling appetizingly and does not go astray. Quality and affordable bait.
4. Stickbait Heddon Spit’n Image
Model 7,97 cm, weight 13,3 g. A large cigar-shaped stickbait, which confuses many anglers with its impressive dimensions and plain contours. At the same time, this is a very catchy bait for pike, which, despite its size, perfectly attracts even medium-sized fish. In addition, Spit’n Image has advantages that affect the result not even indirectly, but quite directly:
- thanks to its heavy weight and heavily loaded tail, this walker flies just fine – very far and exceptionally accurate.
- the stickbait has an extremely stable action, which is not affected by the current, the wave, or the distance where the lure was thrown.
- this is a pretty noisy bait.
The “voiced” plastic of the body and the massive metal ball, which is loaded with the tail section, create a well-audible rumble when leashed. And judging by the results on this superficial bait, pike fishing is very to your liking. Pike and perch are well caught on it, even medium-sized ones, as well as asp.
5. Popper Heddon Pop’n Image Junior
Model 5,92 cm, weight 8,9 g. This medium-sized popper with a large weight also has excellent flight qualities for its size. Like most “Americans”, the form is an example of simplicity and conciseness, but the lure is 100% working. It catches pike, perch, asp well, and chub and ide can also become trophies. And when fishing in overgrown areas – even a large rudd.
Interestingly, with this bait, you can perform not only the classic popper wiring, in which, by the way, it deviates decently to the sides, but also the “walking the dog” – like with a walker. Versatility does not come at the expense of catchability – perhaps only for the good.
Of course, some of the baits listed above do not fit into the budget category, and any similar ones, too. But in fact, despite the cost of lures, surface fishing cannot be classified as particularly costly. And this is due to its very specificity.
Pike fishing with surface lures
As a rule, in areas with a fast current, which, in fact, we are talking about fishing, there are no obstacles that a bait walking on the surface can catch on. That is, the loss can happen either on the cast or on the fish. To avoid losses on the cast, all you need to do is balance the stiffness of the rod, the strength of the line and the aggressiveness of your own style. Well, the condition of the cord on the spinning, of course, needs to be monitored. In other words, avoiding them is not so difficult.
Losses on fish can happen, on the one hand, due to flaws in the fighting technique and the overtightened clutch of the inertialess reel, on the other hand, when biting the fishing line with a pike. As for the first reason, the main thing is not to be nervous and keep an eye on the tackle, and everything will be in order.
Pike fishing with a leash
But with regard to pike … Many anglers have heard more than once how a beginner proudly declares that he does not put a leash, because he does not catch a pike. But the pike does not ask us whether we are catching it or not. And since, as already noted above, it comes across with enviable regularity in asp and perch places, there is definitely a sense to take measures.
When fishing with surface lures, experienced spinners always use a hard leash made of metal wire, ending with a twist to which the bait is attached. Such a leader has a small weight, which practically does not affect the balance of the bait, as well as a small resistance to water, so that it does not impair the game.
But in addition to protection from pike teeth, the spinning player receives a sharp decrease in the number of overlaps. A rigid leash with a twist does not have unlimited freedom of movement, therefore it is far from always able to catch on tees. Therefore, such a multifunctional addition to the equipment will always be useful. Even if for several seasons not a single pike will covet the bait.
It cannot be said that catching shuka on surface baits will always be extremely effective and will give odds to all other methods. It often happens that twitching with a wobbler in the same places gives the best result, especially after dawn or long before sunset. But many anglers go not for bags of fish, but for impressions. And in terms of the emotional component, fishing for “surfacers” can be put in the first place without a twinge of conscience.
By the way, an interesting observation: both in the case of surface baits, and with any others. The pike will definitely take it when for some reason you did not put the leash. And it ends most often with the loss of the bait and, of course, the trophy. Therefore, it is better to be prepared for meetings with pike – nerves and money will be saved.
Ihe ị kwesịrị ịṅa ntị
We will not consider the wiring of surface lures in detail. By and large, it is not too different from the standard and generally accepted schemes. The only thing worth paying attention to is the flow factor.
When fishing in areas with different strengths and directions, you should constantly adjust. Change the frequency and intensity of jerks, as well as the winding speed. The bait must always remain attractive to the fish, up to the last meters. And do not forget about the cord, which, when wired across the jet, is blown into an arc, causing the bait to accelerate. But this is not such a big difficulty – you can get used to it quickly.