Fish-Hawk.Net

I have been fishing some of my favourite Rideau shore locations with spinner baits and I have caught plenty of small and largemouths and last week a good Musky (hit and follow only) but I have not seen a Pike since a week or two after opening of any size. Usually I would at least have a few small ones.

Has anyone else noticed this on the Rideau or have I just been unlucky/lucky ( depending on your perspective)? I have found the conditions to be changing a lot this year.

Personally they are a favourite and I have found it odd. Heading to The Gatineau lakes tomorrow so I can truly test my luck.

RP

Caught two on the Rideau Tuesday night. Nothing to write home about though.

In past years I have caught more snot rockets the decent to nice size ones on the Rideau " My home away from home" But this year the reverse has happened!! From my experience this year I have found them to be a bit deeper.... This hot cold hot cold has them confused!!

Makes sense. I was thinking it was the water levels but you are probably right about the temperature. I usually fish right at the weed line but I think I will try a little farther out and deeper.

Spoke to a local in the gatineaus this am and he said all gets on his pike lures are bass this year (which is all I caught today... On the small side from my Yak). The levels in the Gatineau lakes have been fairly steady and they are always clear so I think the temperature theory is bang on.

Thanks!

RP

I caught 3-4 good sized pike,4-7lbs. under thick mats,on the rideau Wed., with 18" of water under 'em looking for largies,go figure,I thought I had good bass on at first,and the same thing on the Miss. today first 2 big fish were Pike,in the thickest cover by the mouth of the river at innisville,i'd say they are real shallow,under that thick cabbage,good size too,4-5 lber's, their kinda' fun on 5/0 flippin' hooks and 80 lb braid,they give a good fight under the veggies,like a big bass,then get slung to the boat,pretty quick. only catching them on a short string, I think by the time they eat a 1 1/4 oz. tungsten weight and a 5" creature,they don't have room to get those teeth on the line, maybe you should start punchin' mats for 'em,I've never caught so many pike fishing that technique, before this season.