Fishing Deepweedlines

I live in SE Wisconsin and deep weedlines on metro lakes is a productive technique this time of year forth but the problem is many of these lakes have an abundance of Norherns. Today in about 5 hours, I got 6 bite offs on a texas rigged worm. I tried some other baits that I usually use on weedlines such as cranks, spinnerbaits, rattle traps, etc. but the weedline is very erratic and makes it hard to fish those baits as efficently as I could a worm.

The question I have is are there any replacements for a plastic worm that won’t result in as many bite offs? In my experience jigs, craws, etc. all attract Northerns just as much. Anyone have any insite?

Thanks,

Dusty Smith

If there’s that many Pike in that area, I’d suggest moving and trying a different area. A LM Bass makes a great meal for those toothy critters. Those Pike may have them run out of that section.

I can’t think of anything to try that would provoke just Bass to bite. Pike are indiscriminate eaters. They like everything. Especially Lucky Craft products…

One thing I did think of, is a Carolina Rig. A lizard pulled across the bottom may work.

Good luck!!

In my experience, Pike and Bass will mix right in with each other, at least on most lakes. I would agree that Pike and Bass don’t mix very often on the Mississippi (including pool 7 ).

Basshog
I grew up fishing all those lakes 30 yrs ago and had the same trouble then
the only thing I found that worked was to get some light (8-10 lb) 7-strand Seastrand bronze color wire and make texas rigs with a 14in leader of wire with the weight on the wire and the smallest swivel you can find on the end
use a haywire twist for the knot it works great !
also fish the inside weed line the bass are there and it’s too warm for the pike
good luck

When I was in the boundary waters we used Tyger line if the water isnt too clear, its wire material you can tie normal knots in. Or try some power pro, sometimes it is a little more resistant to northern bite offs.

I get em good on the inside weedlies in the morning/evening

I’ve used PowerPro but haven’t tried the wire but because of the Zebras, the lake is now 10 ft visibility so I prefer Flourocarbon.

What# floro are you using? We catch a ton of Big pike up this way and don’t seam to get many bite offs. I’m running 18# seaguar.

Generally, bass and pike that are about the same size will occupy the same area. If you’re catching too many pike, slow your retrieve. Pike tend to chase faster moving baits.

I am using 20-25 lb Seagaur and they bite through it like it is 2 lb mono . I lost 8 lures yesterday in 4 hours

Get yourself some Tyger Line, and a couple cheap Bass lures. Hook into those Pike and have a fish fry. In no time, you’ll be able to catch those Bass.

Northern are great eating. It’s a win/win situation.