Ice fishing for pike set ups

[Scott N]

I was curious to know what most of you use when ice fishing for pike? Most of my limited amount of ice fishing has been for trout, and I'd like to get out on Keho Lake again one of these days. Any tips? (besides don't blow away?)

[AK47]

It is pretty basic. With tip-up just drop large smelt on the bottom and wait. Or you can use jig and minnow and keep jigging. They will slam it eventualy.

[Tylerf150]

I always use a Big trebel hook with a hearing or smelt.you can jig it or use it for the tip up and keep it close to the bottom.

[Scott N]

Do most guys just use treble hooks for smelts, herring, etc., or do some use those two pronged hooks that you wire through a smelt (or what ever bait)?

[fish gunner]

if you use good quality hooks it lets you drop down in hook size, we get more hits in my estimation with size 8-10 . tip ups have advantage most days smelt or suckers would be my bait of choice. on occasion jigging proves effective. I use a small rattle trap with marker pen perch stripes, in very clear water the blue and silver gets the nod

[tightlines]

the bigger the smelt, the bigger the fish!

[WayneChristie]

Originally Posted by tightlines

the bigger the smelt, the bigger the fish!

caught my biggest pike 22 1/2 pounds on a 2 inch minnow . also caught a 6 inch pike on a bait as big as him.

[HOSSTONE1]

I like to use a rod and reel for big pike. Just deadstick a fresh smelt(superstore sells em for 8 bucks for a big bag) a couple feet from bottom. With the rod, just loosen up the drag enough to set the hook when they take it, but loose enough to let them run. Put a bell on it and your good to go!

[fish gunner]

I hit the trout pond at dickson get a few 10" odd suckers kill them,small owner trebles,I use a bait needle run through just behind the head,pop out at the dorsal fin try to get center of balance.it takes a little practice be careful it is easy to get your hand.pull the wire leader back thru clip on hook bury one point in the skull of the sucker good to go pike eat fish head first

[WayneChristie]

Originally Posted by fish gunner

I hit the trout pond at dickson get a few 10" odd suckers kill them,small owner trebles,I use a bait needle run through just behind the head,pop out at the dorsal fin try to get center of balance.it takes a little practice be careful it is easy to get your hand.pull the wire leader back thru clip on hook bury one point in the skull of the sucker good to go pike eat fish head first

Ive watched them eat bait head first, tail first, and sideways, sometimes they are really picky and grab where they dont see a hook, sometimes they dont care if they see it. when they get really hook shy I downsize my bait and use a single treble pushed up through the middle of the small bait. some pike come in at 100 miles an hour and smash the bait, some sneak in and sit there and push it around with their nose then either eat it or leave. helps to give it a bit of a jig if they are just staring at it, or it will scare them off, depends on the fish and the day I guess. learn a lot watching them on a camera or down the hole in shallow water.

[fish gunner]

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

Ive watched them eat bait head first, tail first, and sideways, sometimes they are really picky and grab where they dont see a hook, sometimes they dont care if they see it. when they get really hook shy I downsize my bait and use a single treble pushed up through the middle of the small bait. some pike come in at 100 miles an hour and smash the bait, some sneak in and sit there and push it around with their nose then either eat it or leave. helps to give it a bit of a jig if they are just staring at it, or it will scare them off, depends on the fish and the day I guess. learn a lot watching them on a camera or down the hole in shallow water.

not sure, they may hit a bait from any direction but I am quite sure they have to turn their food to the head first position,un less we are talking big big then yes they eat any way they like.what I want to know is why they eat wire worms and such. friends and I watched a monster at sylvan have a go a 8-9" mackerl then take a poke at a wire worm,what gives??

[WayneChristie]

Originally Posted by fish gunner

not sure, they may hit a bait from any direction but I am quite sure they have to turn their food to the head first position,un less we are talking big big then yes they eat any way they like.what I want to know is why they eat wire worms and such. friends and I watched a monster at sylvan have a go a 8-9" mackerl then take a poke at a wire worm,what gives??

Ive lost wireworms to pike too, Ive seen them eating little waterboatmen too, I guess when they are hungry they are hungry, or just like to bite things, or both, except some days my hooks

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

I'd go with either tip up or as the regulations allow you 2 lines during ice fishing have a rod aswell jigging spoons jigs bait rig what ever excites you , you'll want to use at minimum medium to medium action rod with a baitcaster with some heavy braided line , and fluro leader and you'd be set all day long . For myself I'm running the st Croix medium heavy rod wit my shamano Callisto or sometimes my shamano Corvalus . Both good ros only difference is the Callisto is a low profile reel .