Where to find pike

[nbask14]

Hey i've been dying to catch my first pike, i've caught plenty of bass but im ready to take on the northern pike. I've heard the passaic river has some good pike fishing in it, however I was wondering if the fishing is good near fairfield/wayne ish area or if there is any other good places to catch pike. I've just purchased a bunch of highly rated pike lures (eppinger dardevle five of diamonds, original red eppinger dardevle, rat l trap, T-1 terminator titanium)

[crustyangler17]

I've been trying alot for them too and i havent caught one yet, but the passaic is pretty far from me, i dont have much time to go there, plus i dont know any bank access points. so i fish central jersey, at the Millstone river and Farrington lake. lots of pickerel in the millstone and they go nuts over big inline spinners, but i have yet to catch a pike there. Farrington seems only good in the spring. Guys live line sunnies around late march and pull in big ones all the time. i hooked one around 24" but it snapped me off at the shoreline.

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by nbask14

Hey i've been dying to catch my first pike, i've caught plenty of bass but im ready to take on the northern pike. I've heard the passaic river has some good pike fishing in it, however I was wondering if the fishing is good near fairfield/wayne ish area or if there is any other good places to catch pike. I've just purchased a bunch of highly rated pike lures (eppinger dardevle five of diamonds, original red eppinger dardevle, rat l trap, T-1 terminator titanium)

Sounds like youve done some homework. Fairfield/Wayne has some great spots. They're pretty well stocked in that area. I'm convinced that as long as your lure is big or flashy enough, a pike will hit it. Use a 25lb+ flouro leader, set your drag properly(a must!), and watch for follows to the boat. Good luck.

[nbask14]

I do not have a boat so im going to have to look for a good place on the bank with some weeds/cover. Im planning on using 12 lb test fluoro line with 30 lb wire leader

[FASTEDDIE29]

Good luck dude. Your research is leading you to a very good starting point. I fish with straight 10-12 lb test now, no leader. If you want to be safe go with the 25-30 lb flourocarbon leader like Skunk mentioned. In my opinion steel is not necessary. Now is definately the time to start wackin some PIKE!!!

[njfish4life]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

Good luck dude. Your research is leading you to a very good starting point. I fish with straight 10-12 lb test now, no leader. If you want to be safe go with the 25-30 lb flourocarbon leader like Skunk mentioned. In my opinion steel is not necessary. Now is definately the time to start wackin some PIKE!!!

I started catching pike just this year in the passaic and I haven't switched to a leader yet either. I know that will eventually bite me in the a$$, but for now I have been lucky so fish on!!!

Big spinners (especially white) have been the go to lure for me- the shinier the better.. I do want to try the topwater bite soon- buzzbaits seem to be the ticket there.. good luck

[AndyS]

Go right to the sorce !!

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fish_pike.htm

Then go back and read the 50 pages or so of posts in the freshwater section here.