My first northern...

[dboyd101]

Got my first northern pike today. Was a good overall experience to say the least. Here's how it went:

I happened upon the spot via Bing Maps (best mapping out there, just be sure to use "Birds Eye" and you'll be good). Ended up parking about 25 yards away, no hiking really at all. Be careful as there is tons of poison ivy, but the good Lord has blessed me to not have that allergy, so I bushwhacked away. Got to the spot and saw fish feeding on the top and thought to myself, "must be some smallmouths... senko time." Nothing hit on the senko except a few sunfish headshakes. Moved spots to get better angle at the front of the lily things I was working and nothing again on the senko. Decided to switch to a top water frog popper (cheap thing, I can't find myself spending a ton of money on the expensive ones!) and on the second cast I hit the weed edge and BLAM! Huge top water blowup like I have never had before, except the frog was gone. Kinda upset. Was fishing 20lb power pro braid with 20lb mono leader. Decided to double up the leader because I didn't have any 40lb leader line with me, so I had a virtual 40lb leader now. Dropped on a white spinner bait (dual blade, heard they work good on pike in the Passaic River) and missed the pike on the next cast, and nailed it on the following.

This fish was a blast to catch after hunting him down. There must be quite a few of these fish in the river if I can just walk up to a spot and catch one. I did have the proper equipment with me so that could be it, but I mean come on now. I'd like to catch a smallmouth now. I haven't caught one of those yet, so I might be making another stop tomorrow!

Reel: Stradic 2500FI
Rod: Cabela's MagTouch MedLight


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