Fall in New England is one of the best times of the year to fish. Shorter days make fishing from sun-up to sun-down less tiring, and the scenery is breathtaking. Fishing amongst reflections of orange, red and yellow foliage can be almost spiritual. That is, until a big northern pike interrupts your reverie.
These fish are the consummate freshwater predator. With a rows of gator-like teeth and streamlined bodies, they grow large and powerful feeding on just about anything that moves. This makes them a fantastic game fish, especially this time of year.
When water temperatures begin to cool, pike move into the shallows and feed to prepare for the winter. October is one of the best months to target them. You will find pike on shallow flats in 3 to 4 feet of water. The fishing will improve throughout the month, and die-hard anglers will continue to catch pike this way until the water freezes.
An abundance of northern pike are caught in waters throughout New England. Pike in the 25-pound range are caught regularly in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. In New Hampshire, pike as long as 40 inches are caught from almost any setback on the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont. There are too many places to catch pike in New England to list, but state fish and game department websites are great resources for anyone looking to go it on their own. I have clients who travel great distances for a chance to catch toothy critters in picturesque settings.
I fish mostly from a kayak because it’s stealthy. My Old Town Predator allows me to glide in undetected. It is also stable enough to stand up and sight fish, giving me a huge advantage. I may not have the ability to move from spot to spot as quickly as a powerboat, but there is nothing as fun as being towed around in a kayak by a big pike.
Crankbaits are common lures and, although effective, my favorite lure is my signature series Whisperer lure from Daddy Mac Lures. This 4-inch soft plastic drives pike of all sizes absolutely insane. I rig it with a 3/0 heavy-gauge offset hook and twitch it weightless in the shallows. Usually the only time you’ll see them swim away from the Whisperer is when they’re released.
If you want a world-class fishing vacation at a fraction of the cost, fall pike fishing in New England is an angling experience not to be missed. Do some research to find waters known for big pike, and you’ll have a fishing trip that rivals some of the most well-known pike destinations in North America. The sights and smells alone will make the trip worthwhile.
Tim Moore is owner of Tim Moore Outdoors LLC, offering New Hampshire kayak fishing charters and Lake Winnipesaukee ice fishing charters. He is a pro staff member for several local and national companies and the producer of Tim Moore Outdoors TV. Visit www.TimMooreOutdoors.com.
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