2012 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray

Episode 210: Live Target Pike

Today, the Mercury Marine Destination has me up to the north end of Reindeer lake in northern Saskatchewan. This time the RAM only had to go as far as the airport, then, it was an easy trip into a private airstrip. No small float planes on this one, a larger more comfortable plane directly to Lindbergh’s from Winnipeg. I was up to Lindbergh’s Reindeer Lake Lodge last year, and I jumped at the chance to go back again this year. This is truly a Pike fishing dream with 100+ Pike a day, many of them quality fish, especially with the right lure choices.  (843)-552-2838 www.fishreindeerlake.com

It is said that you can catch Pike on anything on some of these lakes, well it is true. But what I take advantage of, is the percentage factor. When you have interest from big fish and lots of them quickly with certain lures, versus small fish and mediocre attention with others, you can eliminate choices quickly and up your average, this is what I take advantage of on these great lakes. These same lures that show themselves as very productive, even on these remote lakes are also the winning choices on pressured areas back home.  While it is a blast to enjoy the fast action, I am also fine tuning my lure selection for fishing all season.

One thing I remembered from the first year up to Lindbergh’s, the Live Target Blue Back herring was very productive, the Pike simply loved it. But I clued into a technique that simply drove them nuts!! Even on some of these remote lakes, some bays are hit on a daily basis from the guides, and yes, these fish get wise to pressure. I noticed one day when trying to stir up the attention from the larger uninterested Pike, that the faster I reeled the Live Target Blue Back Herring, the more they wanted it.  I basically did the,” you can’t catch me”, and they plowed it!!! I also noticed at the faster speeds that this double jointed lure developed a knocking sound, not a rattle, but a knocking noise at a quick retrieve speed, and this was the magic ticket again this year for the big brutes.

This time I came prepared! The new Okuma Citrix low profile baitcaster with a 7.3:1 gear ratio and 8 ball bearings made it easy to keep dialed into the correct speed. This was matched with the Okuma C3 Carbon Cone Concept rod. The C3 rods are light in weight but pack a powerful punch on the hook set. I was dealing with big fish this trip, and this is exactly where the fish of a lifetime can be lost if you are not geared up for a true monster and not take it seriously. 50 lb test Tuf-Line XP has been my go to line for years, no stretch hook sets, great knot strength and reliable. 

For a leader, I know many still like wire, but 100 lb test Seaguar Fluorocarbon has been incredible as a wire replacement and as a wire improvement for my applications. Even at the 100 lb test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader material I was using, it is invisible and bite proof from even the largest Pike ( you might want to re-tie after 20 or 30 Pike, actually it is the smaller Pike with the sharper teeth that can cause small nicks over time  ) and since it is flexible, no kinks!! I can even grab the leader to handle the Pike without worry of cutting my own hands, and if the Pike wrap in it, is won’t cut the fish like wire either, completely a win, win situation.
I try to keep as much weed gathering hardware off my line as possible, so I generally tie my 50 lb Tuf- Line XP to my 100 lb Seaguar leader with a double uni knot.  Small swivels will work, but this is even a more stealthy approach. A single hook and barbless is the way to go up here, so I even go the extra step of rigging two Live Target Blue Back Herrings differently. I leave the belly treble on one for when the lures are being crushed and t–boned in open areas, and I have another rigged with a Mustad Ultra Point welded ringed single R94140NP-BN size 6/0, for when I want to work it in debris and weeds. Let me tell you, this Herring with only a ringed single on the back (so the hook rides upwards when added to the existing split ring), is incredibly weedless and I can bring this lure out clean from reeds and shallow debris. The Live Target lures come with great hooks, but when I bend or damage the existing hooks, I replace it with the Mustad Ultra Point 3X strong Elite Series Trebles #36329NP-BN.  This hook is light in weight but razor sharp and strong!

I need to pack light for a fly in, but even fishing locally, I have started using the Viking jackets.  These are beautiful, stylish jackets that are also 100% waterproof rain jackets, and come with matching pants.  Never again do I have to take the added bulk of bringing a rain suit if conditions change, I am already wearing it and 100% waterproof! Let me tell you, I have been in some soaking rains, and they are 100% waterproof and reasonably priced! Anglers often forget what fishing equipment encompasses, investing in quality equipment other than just rod and reels, this includes Rainwear and sunglasses. When fishing shallow bays, it is easy to see following fish, the take, the miss, and with a quality pair of glasses like Maui Jim, I can see a following fish allowing me to take the necessary steps to leave the lure in the water to entice a hit.  Even seeing the flash of a miss from a monster fish, Maui Jim gives me the edge to cast back on a fish I would have moved away from. They might cost more than a cheap pair of glasses, but worth it if you consider them part of your necessary equipment.

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