Fourth of July Northern Pike

[WesinND]

We were going to have some Buffalo steaks for dinner yesterday, but I forgot to take them out of the freezer.     It was about 96 degrees Fahrenheit,  but I was itching to get outside and it was too hot for the pups, so I went to a small impoundment close by for some pike.  My goal was two eating size fish I could put on the grill.  I just walked around and cast first a #5 Blue Fox Vibrax spinner, the a 3/4 oz five of diamonds Daredevle.  As soon as I switched to the Daredevle I started getting hits.  Anyway, I got these two and they were more than enough for dinner with potatoes and coleslaw.

My favorite pike lure:


First Fish:


Dinner!


I put my BOB there for scale.  I gutted them with the BOB, and took the home to fillet and cut the "Y" bones out. 

Wes

[wsdstan]

The Five of Diamonds in yellow with red diamonds always seem to work well.  In Canada, forty plus years ago, I was given a couple of them by a pilot and they worked very well.  Glad to see they are still around and still work well.

You must know how to bone them Pike.  I cannot do it at all.

 

[Sarge]

Nice catch ... and nice BoB.

We have musky (and pike I think) in the tailwaters below a dam nearby but I've never fished for them. Bet they are a blast to catch!

[OutdoorEnvy]

Nice catch!  That's being resourceful for a holiday meal   good on ya!  Wish I had pike down here in OK.  I love them pickled.

[WesinND]

Nice catch ... and nice BoB.

We have musky (and pike I think) in the tailwaters below a dam nearby but I've never fished for them. Bet they are a blast to catch!

Thanks!  They are fun to catch!

Nice catch!  That's being resourceful for a holiday meal   good on ya!  Wish I had pike down here in OK.  I love them pickled.

I've never had them pickled, that's something I need to try.

The Five of Diamonds in yellow with red diamonds always seem to work well.  In Canada, forty plus years ago, I was given a couple of them by a pilot and they worked very well.  Glad to see they are still around and still work well.

You must know how to bone them Pike.  I cannot do it at all. 

Here's the method I use to fillet them from the Yukon Fish and Game:


And here's a link to the North Dakota Fish and Game using another method:

http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/other-fishing-information/pike

[wolfy]

I pretty much use the method shown in the Yukon video......works real well for me.     I seldom throw a Northern back unless it's a 'hammer handle'........really good flavored fish, I always thought.

[wsdstan]

Thanks for the video Wes.  I can probably do that with a little practice.

[WesinND]

Thanks for the video Wes.  I can probably do that with a little practice.

It takes a little practice, but you'll get the hang of it. You need a sharp fillet knife, and it helps if you have a piece of cardboard or something for them to lay on that won't allow them to slide around.  I went again this afternoon, and got two more for tomorrow night's dinner.    They wouldn't hit the five-of-diamonds, but they liked this firetiger daredevle.  It's my new favorite lure.     I have my trusty Buck 102 Woodsman and a Mora fillet knife my wife bought me one year in the photo.  I think the Mora will stay in the truck--for the summer anyway.

[pete28]

Being a VERY active fisherman in both Connecticut where I grew up and now in Florida I can honestly say I have never thought of or met anyone that has eaten northern pike. I have eaten all kinds of fish both big and small but never thought about eating a pike. On the same note I have only met a few people that have eaten sea-robins. I personally love the taste. I've only caught a handful of pike in my days and most of them were when ice fishing. Those guys look great and I love the color of the filets! Who would of thunk it? Lol

[wsdstan]

When I fished in Canada for Walleye we would get a fair number of pike too.  The Native guides would whack em in the head and throw them overboard.  No love for the northerns.

Thanks for the other info Wes.  I have the same filet knife that is in the video and a Spyderco folder and another folder made of stainless steel. 

[WesinND]

Being a VERY active fisherman in both Connecticut where I grew up and now in Florida I can honestly say I have never thought of or met anyone that has eaten northern pike. I have eaten all kinds of fish both big and small but never thought about eating a pike. On the same note I have only met a few people that have eaten sea-robins. I personally love the taste. I've only caught a handful of pike in my days and most of them were when ice fishing. Those guys look great and I love the color of the filets! Who would of thunk it? Lol

When I fished in Canada for Walleye we would get a fair number of pike too.  The Native guides would whack em in the head and throw them overboard.  No love for the northerns.

Thanks for the other info Wes.  I have the same filet knife that is in the video and a Spyderco folder and another folder made of stainless steel. 

I agree with Wolfy, I find them quite tasty if they are cleaned properly.  I like Walleye, they have a milder flavor and are easier to clean.  Plus, you don't need a boat to catch them in the summer!   ~Wes