Tip-up in January.

[chadice]

Going up to LOW next weekend out of Schuster's. I was wondering if it is worth the time and effort to put out a couple of tip-ups if we are out in deeper water (where their houses are) to targer some northern. Anyone have any luck fishing Northern this way in the deeper water in Jan.? Or should I just not worry about it, or target eye's istead.<P>Never really done much tip-up fishing, so any tips are appreciated, bait, line, rigs, etc. This is great forum and I love all the expert information out there. Thanks for any information you might have?<p>[This message has been edited by chadice (edited 01-14-2004).]

[lowpike]

Well, i say go for it. I have tried fishing in the shallows for pike and have had ok luck, however I have found that we have always caught bigger pike on the walleye reefs. You may not catch a lot, but if you do, chances are it will be a big one. Also use the biggest bait you can find. Always the bigger the bait the bigger the fish you will catch. You may be surprised what you get. And it will be a lot more fun to catch a big pike compared to all those baby walleyes<p>[This message has been edited by lowpike (edited 01-15-2004).]

[fishgutz]

Good to get some pike talkin' in this forum. everytime i post about how the pike fishing is I get no response at all. They're too walleye crazy up there man I swear. Anyway, I was up two weeks ago and targeted pike and got skunked big time. I asked some people and the swear to it that they see monster northerns literally come up to their holes while walleye fishing in deeper waters this time of year. I suppose that when these guys are yanking little 8 - 12 inch walleyes off the bottom of 30 feet of water and throw em back, they ain't gonna live. So the northerns are feeding off the dead walleyes floating just under the ice. <BR>Back to your question though, when I was up there I asked all the bait shops, resorts, etc... and noone had any insight. So I hit my late season honey holes and... NADA. It would almost payoff to target the walleyes.

[lowpike]

I think that a good point to make is that all those small walleyes that are coming out of 30ft of water are dying becauase of their air bladders in most cases. So because of that all those big northerns are out there getting fat on an all they can eat meals.<p>[This message has been edited by lowpike (edited 01-15-2004).]

[lowpike]

fishgutz, you try right out of Warroad in the channel, that will usually give you something. That always seems to be the standby if other spots are not producing<p>[This message has been edited by lowpike (edited 01-15-2004).]

[fishgutz]

Lowpike<BR>I've heard a couple of sweet testemonials from guys that fish that channel. I'll give it a shot next time I'm up there. It'll be nice to have another pike honey hole. Is it the channel that runs right through town??? How deep is it??? Smelt or live bait???<BR>Much appreciated,<BR>fishgutz

[lowpike]

Right out of warroad, there is a channel that runs out into the like from the river. It ain't much, but it is there. it goes out about a half a mile or maybe a bit more. it doesn't get much deeper. There is usually a couple houses out there during Jan. and Feb. then when march comes around there is a lot. depths through that area are from 5 to 10 feet, with some where betwwen that being the best. There is usually fish there. A lot more smaller ones 3 to 8 pounds then in other spots though