Pike Behavior and Advice

[Leo MTB]

Hey guys, long time listener, first time caller. I've been reading your threads for quite some time and your wealth of knowledge on pike fishing is awesome. I'm a biologist/ school teacher with a degree in animal science and ever since I started fishing for pike on the Passaic two years ago I've been completely obsessed. Catching a 40 incher on my kayak is like nothing I've ever experienced!

Anyway, I have some questions regarding water level changes and how it affects pike fishing. I usually follow the water level and temperature gauges, and have had success between 12-14 ft. on the Pine Brook gauge. My question is, do any of you fish the river when the water level jacks up to 15 ft. and above or does the fishing completely shut off?

Just wondering if you have any advice or if it's even worth heading out after decent rains. So curious where the fish go, I wish I could put tracking devices on these critters to find out where they hang out after a rain.

Also, I found that the stretches of river that were super abundant the first year are completely different the following year. Do you all experience the same thing? I explore many stretches of river but was wondering if every year you have to hit all the spots all over again to find where they're hanging out.

Thanks for any advice you can give me and thanks for continually posting such great content!