Why Pike Love Baitfish & How to Catch Them

Why Pike Love to Eat Baitfish

Pike are aggressive predator fish that will eat just about anything they can capture in their large mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. However, one of their favorite foods in the wild is small baitfish like minnows, shiners, suckers, and panfish.

The Allure of Baitfish for Hungry Pike

Baitfish make up a large part of a pike's natural diet. Pike are ambush predators that use vegetation and structure to hide as they wait for prey to swim by. When an unsuspecting baitfish gets too close, the pike strikes quickly to grab the fish in its jaws.

There are a few key reasons why pike find baitfish so irresistible:

• Abundance - Schools of baitfish are plentiful in most bodies of water.
• Easy capture - Baitfish are small with little means of defense.
• High calorie - Baitfish provide nutrients pike need to grow big.

The Best Baitfish for Catching Trophy Pike

Anglers use a variety of different baitfish when fishing for pike. Some great bait choices include:

Fathead Minnows

A very common baitfish found in many freshwater habitats across North America. Their small size makes them easy for pike to swallow.

Emerald Shiners

A favorite food source. Shiners swim in large schools, making them readily available in many waters.

Creek Chubs

A slightly bigger baitfish with a lot of lipids. Chubs elicit big strikes from trophy-sized pike.

Yellow Perch

Perch filets or live fingerlings work well. The barred pattern triggers instinct to feed.

Using Live Baitfish for Pike

While artificial lures certainly produce plenty of pike, none can match the effectiveness of live bait. The movement and scent of a real baitfish triggers the predatory instincts of pike like nothing else.

Tips for Fishing Live Bait for Pike

To maximize your catches when using live baitfish:

• Use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs.
• Match the size of the baitfish to the size of pike in the water.
• Hook baitfish through the back under the dorsal fin.
• Let hooked baitfish swim freely to attract strikes.

Best Rigging Methods

There are two excellent ways to rig up live baitfish to tempt trophy pike to bite:

Simple Hook Rig

Thread your baitfish onto a single hook and let it swim freely. Easy to use and allows bait to act injured.

Quick-Strike Rig

Uses a treble hook attached to the body of the bait with a rubber band. Ensures solid hook penetration when pike strike.

Using Dead Baitfish for Pike

While live baitfish work the best, you can still catch plenty of pike by tipping lures or rigging dead bait:

Baitfish Imitation Lures

Hard baits and soft plastic swimbaits that mimic wounded baitfish are proven pike catchers. Good choices include jerkbaits, swimbaits, and glide baits.

Chunk Bait

Cut up chunks of dead baitfish to tip jigs or live bait rigs. Allow scent to disperse in the water to bring in pike.

Whole Dead Fish

Rig up a whole dead fish on a quick strike rig. The realistic profile and scent clouds attract pike.

Best Pike Waters for Baitfishing

While pike can be found in many types of waterways, the best locations to baitfish for them include:

• Weedy bays
• Lily pad fields
• Points & drop-offs
• Inlets & outlets

Seek out areas holding baitfish schools near good ambush cover to find feeding pike.

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FAQs

What are the best live baitfish for catching pike?

Some top live baits are fathead minnows, emerald shiners, creek chubs, and yellow perch. Match the size of the baitfish to the average size pike in your fishing spot.

Should I use a leader when baitfishing for pike?

Yes, always use a steel leader when using live or dead bait. Pike teeth will bite right through standard fishing line and cause you to lose fish.

Where are the best places to find pike waiting to ambush baitfish?

Target areas like weedy bays, lily pads, points, drop-offs, and inlet/outlet streams. Pike hide and wait to attack unsuspecting baitfish schools in these spots.

What lures work well for catching pike?

When using artificial lures, great choices include jerkbaits, swimbaits, glide baits, spoons, spinnerbaits, and in-line spinners. Go with baitfish imitations.