Top Five Lures for Northern Idaho Pike
When anglers consider Idaho, they definitely don't think about 30-plus pound northern pike. And yet, the state record is a little over 40 pounds and there are great opportunities to tie into one of these toothy critters—especially at this time of year. In order to do just that, however, you’ll need the right lures. Here are my top five, all proven winners for me, in reverse order from last to first.
1oz. Dardevle (perch coloration)
This is the first lure I threw at pike, and is something I continue to carry whenever chasing these leader shredders. As far as lures go, they don't get any easier to operate than a Daredevil. This is the lure you give your friend who can't fish. It’s as easy as this: Cast it a quarter mile, and once it touches the surface, start reeling. These spoons display an erratic, defenseless action no predator can resist. Make sure you bring pliers when using a perch colored Dardevle. More often than not, the spoon is deeper in the fish's mouth than I am willing to reach.
Savage Gear 8-inch (brown trout coloration)
This plastic bait is ridiculous with an action that is second to none. I am embarrassed to say I have thought a trout was following my lure, only to remember it is the lure. This trout comes to life the second it touches water. Big northerns travel distances to smash this bait. Fish it as a healthy, happy trout or as a crippled and dying brownie that had a bad day. I promise, you will be amazed by the action of this realistic lure. Your friends will laugh at this lure up until the point you start out-fishing them three to one.
Savage Gear Burbot (chartreuse coloration)
It seems like everything Savage Gear puts on the shelves is a revolution. The 3D burbot is no exception. The tail twists and turns like a panicked burbot, begging to escape whatever is chasing it. Like I mentioned in my initial blog on this product, I’ve had ospreys circle this bait as it swam a couple feet under the surface. If it is fooling predatory birds, imagine what it does to pike. You can give it a steady reel, or a dying fall. The northerns can’t resist a dying burbot dropped into their living rooms. Gulp.
Rapala Jointed J-11 (firetiger coloration)
This is a great lure to throw over the top of shallow weeds because it has great swimming action, and only dives two-to three feet under the surface. If I’m fishing flats with sunning northerns, this is my go-to lure. Fish it fast, slow, or with a dying twitch. It is important to think of pike like newborn babies-sometimes babies want to play with a little rattle. If the swimming action of this lure isn't enough, the internal rattle is. Some days the water-wolves just need a little extra convincing. A good lure with a little rattle can be the ticket when all else fails.
Booyah Blade 3/8 (perch coloration)
When trying to locate pike, I love throwing a Booyah spinnerbait. It is a lure to that covers a lot of water and produce results. A perch-colored spinnerbait will find pike you didn't know were there. This one is made with jeweler-quality blades and a strong Mustad Ultra Point hook. Strong hooks are a necessity when targeting northern pike, especially the big boys. And they are key when using pliers to release any size pike. The 3D eyes on this lure angers fish, and triggers aggressive strikes. Also, the .035-inch stainless frame is tuned for maximum vibration so the fish can feel it throughout their body. There’s no refusing this spinnerbait.
