Trying Something New

[T-Bone]

Other than moving our trip from late-July to early-June, I'm going to try something new (and gimmicky) this year. Would appreciate if anyone has tried this.

We love to jig for those pesky 'eyes and usually have decent success...enough to keep us interested and satisfied, I guess. Never really target lakers, but maybe we'll give that a go again this year. What I'm talking about is targeting northerns. We always fish for them at least several times during our week up there. Typical stuff...weeds/weedlines throwing spoons, jerk baits, spinners (in-line and standard)...you get the picture. It seems one guy in our group, @Marco, always has success for some reason...the rest of us not so much. This year...my turn.

I just got a package of (9) large Banjo Minnows off of ebay...7" and 9". Not much cost, so risk is low. I've seen more than a few fishing shows where guys use these (or baits exactly like these) to nail the northerns...and even muskies. So...I'm gonna give it a try. Interested to see if any of you have tried this before to imitate a near dead/dead bait for northerns.

And, I'm also interested of what YOU are going to try new this year to improve your odds of either more fish, or better size fish...or both!

70...

[NortonJoe]

Actually, guys in our group have used Banjo-type minnows with success in the past for northern pike. My belief is that northerns are so aggressive they would bite at a rock if you could put it on a hook and get it in front of them  .

120

[Jay Thomas]

Last year, in preparation for my fly-in trip to Lac Hebert, the three Americans on the trip all advised me by email to bring 5 or 6 inch paddle tail swim baits for northerns and walleye. We all enjoyed success casting those swim baits on a 3/8 oz jigs along rocky shorelines for northerns. Probably what surprised me the most though was the success we had using those swim baits for walleye.  Three to 6 inch swim baits will be in my tackle box this year too.

Jay

[RHYBAK]

Have you ever watched this video.
Available in 6 or 8 inch at your local BassPro shop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5I8-bwELto

[Dog]

@T-Bone I have never tried to target northern pike exclusively for any exteneded period of time,  so if I catch one it's usually while jigging for walleye or with a J-11 rapala on.
That being said I've heard of large swimbaits being successful, I have never had much succes with them though, predominantly because I don't have many of them in my tackle box.
Like any lure I feel like if hte fish is hungry and your bait (whatever you're using) is within the strike zone, they're gonna bite it. It's not like northern or walleye are finicky eaters like a steelhead, right?...

I look forward to hearing how your attempts go in this regard.
Early june should have the eyes in migration from the shallow feeding zones to the deeper cabbage areas as the water temps rise...

[Balsams]

Nothing more exciting to me than a big ole gulp or similar soaked in scent rubber under a big thill bobber. Gotta keep checking the bobber...there it is...hey where'd it go...there it is...now it's gone...there it goes swimming by the boat. Reel up the slack and slam it. I've had many 40"+ pike in late May/early June. Shallow back bays, just be patient. Be prepared...kick back, enjoy some snacks and cold drinks and music and the scenery.