I have been trolling over 70-80′ depths for Pike. I mark them on the sonar anywhere from 15′ to 30′ down feeding on Whitefish which are thick on the bottom. This is the first year I have targeted them and thus far it’s a learning process. Have gotten a couple mid 30’s so far, hopefully I can dial things in and get the big mommas.
Running 3.5 mph pulling Muskie baits.
Wow, did not think Whitefish went that deep. I know Trout lake part of that chain was that deep…perhaps that is why there are lake trout in Trout lake…allegedly?
I have fished Whitefish a number of times quite a while ago…always found pike in shallower water but they were smaller fish.
What technique are you employing to get down 15-30′ over 70-80′ depths?
Whitefish near bottom during the day but don’t they rise up the water column towards evening to feed on whatever else rises from the bottom of the lake? Perhaps some silver shallow running crankbaits as the sun sets behind the tree line?
I don’t fish after 6. After that time it’s time to burn a steak, mix a drink and listen to the Twins. I fish for enjoyment not to fill a livewell so playing around and experimenting is fun for me.
I will see how my plan comes together as the fall approaches and water temps drop.
Do you mind saying what lake you’re experimenting on?
Not typically my thing for summer trolling but I really dig the experimentation and learning angle.
I also remember the lindners did a show on this topic several years back. Canadian side of Rainy and deep Tail Dancers if memory serves.
I’ll shoot you a PM Pat.
Seems to me the big pike suspend over deep water on most bodies of water that have them when the water temps really rise. The smaller ones tend to stay shallow and in the weeds most of the summer.
I’ll run into them crappie fishing when the crappies are suspended over deep holes. They’ll show on the sonar in 10-15′ over 35′ holes. Not as deep as Dutch is talking about but my guess is this is a common pattern when the water is warm.
Probably something I should give a try before the water cools.
I have been trolling over 70-80′ depths for Pike. I mark them on the sonar anywhere from 15′ to 30′ down feeding on Whitefish which are thick on the bottom. This is the first year I have targeted them and thus far it’s a learning process. Have gotten a couple mid 30’s so far, hopefully I can dial things in and get the big mommas.
Running 3.5 mph pulling Muskie baits.
I’m only starting to figure it out myself. The lake that I fish is probably quite a bit different in that it’s maximum depth is only 40′ and it doesn’t have whitefish or Tullibees. One thing that I have really started to figure out this year is that might translate to where you are fishing is not all open water spots are created equally. It may seem weird to explain it like this but what has been key for me this year is finding the “spot on the spot” areas within the open water. All of the fish that I have caught have been caught were in open water but they are also in relatively close proximity to traditional structure. The areas I am really focused on now are the centers of small bays, channels between two shoreline areas, and areas just off the ends of points. I do still make passes directly across the center of the lake but it is no longer random as I am usually only moving between specific areas I have identified as high value spot on the spot locations.
I also think that time of year plays a huge role. I’ve had much better luck during our 4th of July trip to the cabin the past two years than when we go in August.
Will
After buying and finally using one of these on Superior, I am anxious to start playing with it to find patterns on walleyes in deeper water. I wonder if it is a major piece to this puzzle as well.
http://store.fishhawkelectronics.com/fish-hawk-td/fish-hawk-td/
I think it’s pretty common knowledge that tullibees, whitefish and smelt will be at or near the thermocline, I’d have to imagine that the predators will relate as well.
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