Joel52

Just south of Timmins? You should be able to catch pike using hot dogs for bait up there... try a #2 Mepps silver tipped with half a worm and troll it slowly (as slow as you can) about 20-25' behind the motor in about 6-8' of water. With pike, always wait for the second hit to set the hook. chomp, chomp...

What size boat do you have?

That term is easily found. Bass Pro has that term as well as other big dealerships across Ontario. I would advise if you want a boat and willing to go that far for a term, buy brand new. New wont break.

Never on a used boat private sale, not a chance. Unless the seller is willing to finance? Doesn't sound like that's possible here. I agree with you on the "new" - you also have a warranty that comes with new.

I don't know about the rest you guys and gals, but I learned a lot about catching fish by reading this thread... I've been a member of this forum for a while now, never seen anything quite like this.

I think an active barometer affects fishing. Usually changes in pressure mean changes in weather, rain or sun.

The locals up there really dislike sharing that section of river, and have for years lobbied to restrict access. There are even sections of river that are signed as private property. A few years ago I asked the ministry to remove the signs (all navigable waterways in Ontario are public) however I was told the banks and riverbed are privately owned so the signs stayed and trespassing laws are indeed enforced. Know where you are, respect the rules and regs and always ask permission to access certain areas. At one time TU had an agreement with local farmers for certain areas, but I haven't been up there for a couple of years now so not sure if that's still valid. The COs do patrol up there occasionally so make sure you're legal. You're better off taking your float and bag of roe below the Old Baseline Road, and leave the waters north of there to fly rods. Also, it's a no kill zone so all catch and release. Ouch to the ticket - that's an expensive outing!

He always was.

If planning on C&R, gilling a fish is a no no. Pike can be handled like any othet fish. One hand around the tail and the other supporting the belly. If you can reach to gill the fish you can reach to tail it.

Respectfully disagree - Pike & Musky are definitely different. Grabbing one of these by the tail first, especially larger ones can turn into an experience not soon forgotten. They're pretty resilient, and if handled properly as illustrated they'll survive no problem. (You're just handling by the gill plate)

As for landing it sooner, there was no bank and I had to reach into the water off the platform I was standing on and grab it (no net). I couldn't do that until the fish was fought out. I never use fluorocarbon leaders and I'm usually very quick to land a pike, bass, walleye or trout. This was an exception because I had to reach into the water off a platform and grab it.

The treble is in the exact same spot in the video as in the pics. The spoon itself has a lot of wiggle room because of the large split rink. I remember, because at one point I tried lifting the fish out of the water by the spoon.

I think I have been fairly clear on this. Please direct any further questions or criticisms to me via PM.

hmmm... looks like it's deeper in to me. In the dock picture it's buried. This one, not so much. Not trying to start something here, just sayin' is all. I've caught and handle a lot of Pike.

so you weren't actually reeling while filming?

I think that's what happened from what I've read also. If you look at the video, the lure is not yet swallowed but as it was "played" out, the Pike being aggressive continued to swallow. Good lesson here - if the intent is release, get it out and back in the water quickly and if the fish shakes loose in the process, so be it. Nothing will happen that wasn't going to happen anyway. But if you keep it on the line as was the case here, little or no chance of live release without a bit of work, eh...

Sometimes with Pike it's easier to lift open the gill, pull the hook out through that opening, take the lure off and close the swivel snap to pull empty back up through the mouth. Released many Pike using this method. With larger pike jaw spreaders work well also.

Posting a picture for anything other than a specific reason (species identification, unusual marks or deformities, ect...) is all about bragging - feeding your ego. Look how BIG my fish is! Then there are some that will do this to be socially accepted into an online community. In any case, when you post a picture, you cross a line (public display on the internet) inviting all kinds of responses, one of those being a deluge of anglers descending on your favorite spot. If you don't want to risk the opportunity, don't post the picture. Period. Personally, I couldn't care less if someone decided to try and catch fish where I've been successful. Our local angling opportunities face much bigger threats than a few hooligans with bad manners.

Sounds like some sort of gimmick to me. Let me play devil's advocate - if those that belong are VIPs, where does that leave the rest of us? peons?

Aurora Trout. http://www.ontariotr...rora-trout.html
Outside Ontario, the "Grey Ghost of the Flats" commonly known as Bonefish (Cuba).