Spring Pike Thread

[SamSteele]

Probably the last pike picture that I can still call “spring” simply because it was in the Territories a couple weeks ago while water temps were still around 50F.

SS




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[58thecat]

Dam fine looking fish!!!!


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[Immigrant]

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[Camp Cook]

I moved to Alberta last year from Fraser Valley BC where I have fished all my life for steelhead - salmon - cod - halibut - trout - sturgeon.

I used to live 300 yards from the Vedder/Chilliwack river and max 10 min drive to a boat launch for the Fraser river.

I just turned 65 last week and understand I automatically have my fishing license now.

While I brought all my big fish rods the only net I brought won't handle these big pike I'm seeing in these pictures.

Looks like I need to buy some Len Thompson lures and a big net...

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by Camp Cook

I moved to Alberta last year from Fraser Valley BC where I have fished all my life for steelhead - salmon - cod - halibut - trout - sturgeon.

I used to live 300 yards from the Vedder/Chilliwack river and max 10 min drive to a boat launch for the Fraser river.

I just turned 65 last week and understand I automatically have my fishing license now.

While I brought all my big fish rods the only net I brought won't handle these big pike I'm seeing in these pictures.

Looks like I need to buy some Len Thompson lures and a big net...

Just go fishing

Majority of the pike you will catch in Alberta will be between 20 - 30 inches. Big pike are out there but not super common so expect to work for them

Len Thompson’s work but so will any spoon. All my Len Thompson’s sit in my shop when I go pike fishing. They are just popular because they are made in Alberta, readily available, and many grew up using them but in the end just another spoon

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Just go fishing

Majority of the pike you will catch in Alberta will be between 20 - 30 inches. Big pike are out there but not super common so expect to work for them

Len Thompson’s work but so will any spoon. All my Len Thompson’s sit in my shop when I go pike fishing. They are just popular because they are made in Alberta, readily available, and many grew up using them but in the end just another spoon

Len Thompson builds a quality spoon and have a huge selection that is going to last unlike others so that being said are far from just another spoon.

If you got lots sitting around donate them so others can appreciate them.


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[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Len Thompson builds a quality spoon and have a huge selection that is going to last unlike others so that being said are far from just another spoon.

If you got lots sitting around donate them so others can appreciate them.


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I don’t use spoons for pike I didn’t say I don’t use them at all. I have a large variety including len Thompson’s that I prefer to use for Lakers when visiting family in BC. I also have smaller ones I use for rainbows and bulls

Lots of good quality spoons out there Len Thompson’s are just one of many that work. Some are better in different conditions than others too

That fact of the matter is knowing he comes from salmon fishing in BC odds are Camp Cook owns spoons that will work just as well as Len Thompson’s for pike

[HL_transplant]

I stopped using spoons for pike many moons ago. The lodge I worked for we didn't even bother as there are just more far effective methods for trophy pike. If I had to pack 10 lures for pike and lakers I'd have spoons for lakers but definitely no len Thompsons

[58thecat]

Spoons that work is a good thing but spoons that last because of quality build is another.
So many knock offs that the paint peels off or hooks etc are just crap.
All I am saying is they work and are quality built to last.
Toss a #4 fire tiger pattern for big pike, muskies etc and they are dynamite.
Dimple series are just stunning too and produce at all levels.
My perspective is to have a variety of lures to target a species.
Don’t skimp on quality at all.


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[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Spoons that work is a good thing but spoons that last because of quality build is another.
So many knock offs that the paint peels off or hooks etc are just crap.
All I am saying is they work and are quality built to last.
Toss a #4 fire tiger pattern for big pike, muskies etc and they are dynamite.
Dimple series are just stunning too and produce at all levels.
My perspective is to have a variety of lures to target a species.
Don’t skimp on quality at all.


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You do you but the fact of the matter is there is many options out there that will both match or surpass

What would I know anyway

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

You do you but the fact of the matter is there is many options out there that will both match or surpass

What would I know anyway

Agree and that’s why I said have a variety of quality presentations for the species you target.
Don’t limit yourself.


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[58thecat]

This was pike flavour today when a week ago it was Len Thompson dimple series.
If I didn’t have a box of these beauties well I was just fishing.
Cisco kid Suick.
Another great lure!!!


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[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Agree and that’s why I said have a variety of quality presentations for the species you target.
Don’t limit yourself.


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And you literally started arguing because I suggested that someone use spoons that are not Len Thompson’s they likely already own because they would work lol.

Yup we are done here and sorry I suggested someone the tackle and gear they owned was sufficient to go try pike fishing

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

And you literally started arguing because I suggested that someone use spoons that are not Len Thompson’s they likely already own because they would work lol.

Yup we are done here and sorry I suggested someone the tackle and gear they owned was sufficient to go try pike fishing

Not arguing at all just stated that if the OP was to use spoons use quality built ones.

So many knock offs that after a few sharp teeth hit them they loose their finish and many times the hooks break too.

We all been there starting out so a little help can save time, money and frustration.





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[58thecat]

Originally Posted by HL_transplant

I stopped using spoons for pike many moons ago. The lodge I worked for we didn't even bother as there are just more far effective methods for trophy pike. If I had to pack 10 lures for pike and lakers I'd have spoons for lakers but definitely no len Thompsons

Check out the Len Thompson ultra glow, we use #2’s for jigging lakers open and hard water.
Past 40 fow they really are game changers due to low light.



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[HL_transplant]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Check out the Len Thompson ultra glow, we use #2’s for jigging lakers open and hard water.
Past 40 fow they really are game changers due to low light.



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Trialed lots of glow spoons over the years. Len Thompsons aren't as effective as some of the others.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by HL_transplant

Trialed lots of glow spoons over the years. Len Thompsons aren't as effective as some of the others.

The ultra glow is super bright for about ten minutes then need to soak in the sun but if you got another glow spoon please provide the information.
Always willing to try other products which is why I got so much gear.



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[HL_transplant]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

The ultra glow is super bright for about ten minutes then need to soak in the sun but if you got another glow spoon please provide the information.
Always willing to try other products which is why I got so much gear.



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The unfortunate part about the best was a blue fox matrixx glow spoon by far on Cold Lake is it's discontinued. I have a good stock but it's been nearly 10 years since it's been manufactured.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by HL_transplant

The unfortunate part about the best was a blue fox matrixx glow spoon by far on Cold Lake is it's discontinued. I have a good stock but it's been nearly 10 years since it's been manufactured.

Are these them?

https://www.rapala.ca/ca_en/blue-fox.../matrixx-spoon

They say that they are UV enhanced and come in 35 colour patterns and 3”, 4”,5” just curious what colour pattern you found was better than others?


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[HL_transplant]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Are these them?

https://www.rapala.ca/ca_en/blue-fox.../matrixx-spoon

They say that they are UV enhanced and come in 35 colour patterns and 3”, 4”,5” just curious what colour pattern you found was better than others?


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Firetiger glow, Tequila Sunrise, and Keylime glow were all excellent. They revamped the colors about 10 years ago and the paint quality wasn't the same. Not sure if the new colors produce as well as the old ones.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by HL_transplant

Firetiger glow, Tequila Sunrise, and Keylime glow were all excellent. They revamped the colors about 10 years ago and the paint quality wasn't the same. Not sure if the new colors produce as well as the old ones.

That’s too bad about the paint quality, found this with many lure companies but the good thing is Len Thompson and any company they now own has kept the super high standard and often are what others shoot for but fall short more often than none.

Thanks for the information, still gonna source them out and add a few to see how they hold up to sharp teeth and lots of use.

Unfortunately my tackle boxes got a lot of crap that failed etc

Gonna give them away as starter lures for someone who is not sure about taking fishing up as a hobby as it can be overwhelming cost wise.


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[mapleleafman3]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Are these them?

https://www.rapala.ca/ca_en/blue-fox.../matrixx-spoon

They say that they are UV enhanced and come in 35 colour patterns and 3”, 4”,5” just curious what colour pattern you found was better than others?


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Darn it, they are out of Monkey Puke

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by mapleleafman3

Darn it, they are out of Monkey Puke

https://www.nklures.com/products.html

Another super quality lure....puke away

[HL_transplant]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

https://www.nklures.com/products.html

Another super quality lure....puke away

Not a fan we ran nks for salmon and the finishes were terrible flaked off after a few fish. Moonshine spoons were far superior.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by HL_transplant

Not a fan we ran nks for salmon and the finishes were terrible flaked off after a few fish. Moonshine spoons were far superior.

Are you talking these?

https://www.acmetackle.com/collections/moonshine-lures


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[HL_transplant]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Are you talking these?

https://www.acmetackle.com/collections/moonshine-lures


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That's the ones. Fish USA has a good selection. The Acme website is pretty terrible

[Camp Cook]

Have not gone fishing for pike yet but I did buy two Len Thompson spoons today.

I have a fair amount of lures Artic Fox and Coho's but my last years of ocean fishing I switch 100% to 40 and 60 gram chrome jigs made by a fellow on the Gulf Islands.

We out fished every other method used for salmon after switching to them.

11' rod stainless ball swivels length of rod leader to jig not just used for jigging after a wind drift I would just troll them back to where we would start our drift again.

I'm hoping those jigs will work here.

I've been watching videos of guys using yellow duck and rat lures totally hilarious that those things work.

[mlee]

Well it's far from spring but we haven't had much time to do any real fishing. Managed to get a few hours in a while back with steady action and we found a few ok fish. Probably no more pike for me until September long. Off to Last Mountain for a week of walleye and perch and also going try some carp fishing.

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