Spearfishing for pike on Seeley Lake

To avoid the Memorial Day weekend crowds, I played hooky from work on Thursday and went snorkeling and spearfishing for pike on Seeley Lake.  The visibility was pretty good, and the water temperature was up to 52 degrees.

Nice, I really need to come up that way.

How would one target pike when fishing? It is one species (of many) I have never targeted.

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Nice job, Pete.

How would one target pike when fishing? It is one species (of many) I have never targeted.

I have done a lot of snorkeling and spearfishing for pike, and I have done a lot of ice fishing for pike, but for some reason I haven't been rod fishing for pike.  It's on my list of things to do, but I enjoy the spearfishing so much that when I want pike, I spearfish rather than rod fish.

Two suggestions about pike: First, you gotta take the skin off. Pike is a terrifically tasty fish, but if you leave the skin on, it'll suck.  Second, you gotta remove the "Y" bones.  Get on the internet and review some videos about how to remove the Y bones.  Once you learn where they are and how to remove them, you can reliably produce boneless pike fillets and strips.  Because pike is a popular fish to catch and to eat, there are a lot of excellent pike recipes.

Good job, Pete.  That's a good looking pike.

How would one target pike when fishing? It is one species (of many) I have never targeted.

You fish for pike the same way you'd fish for Muskies, just using smaller tackle.  It's easier to find tips and techniques for Musky fishing than it is for pike, but essentially, you fish them both the same way.  Pike are easier to catch when trolling than are muskies, but you use the same tackle when trolling as when stationary.

Awesome, thank you guys! I have inadvertently caught Pickerel while targeting bass while fishing with family in Florida, but they were small and we didn't keep any. I will have to add Pike to the bucket list!