Kayak Fishing for Muskoka Pike

It's 7:15 PM and I've just finished working the shoreline of a shallow bay. It's only the second time in my life I've specifically targeted pike while fishing on my own. The surface temperature of the water is around 67 degrees Fahrenheit. I alternate between a jerk bait and a Mepps Dressed Aglia #5 with an orange and gold/copper blade. The wind is dying down - it was wreaking havoc a few minutes earlier. I haven't caught any pike yet: just a few small rock bass.  

A week earlier, on May 30th, I was fishing on a beautiful bass boat with the Muskoka Bassmasters in a small, friendly pike tournament. I didn't care too much about catching fish that day (though I did manage a small one); I just wanted to learn as much as I could. That day, we saw and caught a few pike in shallow bays. But most of the big ones were sitting in submerged trees off shorelines with steep drop-offs. It was only a few weeks after the opener, but the fish had already migrated to deeper waters - or at least to places with easy access to deeper water.

The big guy caught on 30 lb. braid with a steel leader 

There aren't many green weeds yet. I change strategies and start working a shoreline with a rock bottom and a drop to 20 feet nearby. After a few casts with the spinner, something hits a little bit harder than the rock bass. It swims down and it feels like a pike. Moments later, my first fish of the day. A little guy, but a nice start, and, at least, a clue.

I keep casting along that shoreline but as I continue the drop-off tapers. Not looking to repeat my mistake, I immediately move to a place with better access to colder water. And then I see it, the perfect spot: a nice pile of half-submerged branches next to a dock with a great drop to about 30 feet. I don't want to get too close with my kayak. I make about 4 casts. Nothing. But I know there just has to be a fish there. I paddle a little closer and cast once more. This time, I feel a strong hit and set the hook. Right away, I know it's a decent fish.

The little guy and my Humminbird

And then the troubles begin - this is my first time battling a decent pike on a kayak. And let me tell you, it's not easy! I bring the fish close, and while I'm fumbling with the net with my left hand, the fish makes a run and I'm throwing things just so I can loosen the drag. My hand goes back to the net, but then I feel slack! I drop the net again and reel as fast as I can. Luckily, I set the hook really well and the fish is still on the line. A few clumsy tries later - this was no textbook display, certainly not one Captain Alex would be proud of - the job is done. And boy, am I thrilled! Catching a fish like that in a kayak is unbelievable.

A close-up of the little guy and my Mepps spinner

I call it a night shortly after releasing the fish and reflect on all the great things I did: I used the Navionics Web App prior to my trip to see where there are shallow bays and where there are good drop-offs. I relied on my electronics to keep track of the water temperature, find the drop-offs, and mark the places I caught fish. I applied the knowledge I gained the week before at the Bassmasters tournament. Most importantly, I put together a pattern, albeit a small one, using a lure that matched the forage.

For a kayak fisherman without an anchor, I'd say a two pike night, including one decent fish, in a two and a half hour window is a pretty good outing!

Greg Cholkan is a lawyer, fisherman, and Hemingway impersonator. He works in Huntsville and Haliburton with Barriston LLP and his practice focuses on real estate, wills and estates, and corporate matters.

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