I’ll be fishing in the Pequot(sp)Lakes area at the end of July-1st week of August and am looking for advise on getting into some Northern Pike. I know they are not as active but they can still be caught. We usually fish a weed bed that is in 15-20’ of water. Now the questions
Line: Sink tip or full sink? I have a 6-7wt and a 8-9wt. (the 3wt I will use for the blugills)
Fly suggestions?
Any other advise you can give.
If it stays this hot you might bring a bonefish rig. JGW
Assuming you are fishing from a boat, the full sink is likely to be the better line for getting deep. If you are fishing from a float tube, the sink tip may be easier to deal with. Usually, the full sink will get down deep and stay deep more consistently throughout the retrieve.
Swen,
August in MN is notoriously about THE worst month! And for pike, that late??? Yeah, your spinning rod will take a few off and on but…it’s bathwater.
Being a fisherman, you’ll still try I know. Been there done that. Consider something else, especially on a fly rod.
Either way, good luck on your vacation and time on the water. Around the Twin Cities area anyway, I’ve learned to make better choices.
Jeremy.
Try early morning or near evening for LMB. You will also be within striking distance of the upper Mississippi and some decent smallie fishing. Minnesota has some very good bass fishing. BG are still on a bite. My buddy Wrangler picked up some nice onces Sunday on a Gurgle Pop. You’ll have fun. JGW
Jeremy- Yes MN in August is not my first choice but this is as close as I can get to a “fishing trip”. This way the kids can play in the lake. It is also the only time I currently get access to the cabin on the lake. I really need to try to “bribe” my up there in the spring. If you see a Toyota Sienna towing a camper through your neighborhood at the end of the month give him a wave, it may be me. We’ll be stopng overnite in Coon Rapids. 
travel’r- thanks for the advise, full sink it is.
white- I figured I’d have early morning bass, then play with the gills off the dock on and off through the day, then back out for the bass (and northerns?) in the evening
Swen,
Ahhh…so THAT’S the story…G In that case you have to do what you have to do. Some good advice given and I certainly cant add much more. If I could I surely would.
Also, if you happen to get the chance to come north of that “Iowegian” border (Big G) please give me an email. I’d welcome you (and your son) to a day trip on a local lake for ??? …depends on the time! I have a nice boat…no worries!
All the best Swen,
Jeremy. P.S. I’d join you for coffee on your way thru but you have family and you’re on vacation. No sense getting you in trouble with another ‘fisherman’ :-))
Early Morming, get when it is still dark (about 5AM), and get on the lake as the new day’s dawning (that time between night and sunrise). Lot of action along the weed beds.
Same applies for Twilight between Sunset and the first stars shine.
~Panrnelli
I have been doing exceptionally well with a full sink line, 4’ leader, Dahlberg diver combination for smallmouth. The upper Mississippi smallmouth fishing will only get better B4 the fall. This technique also works well for largemouth when striped in front of a weed line during hot weather. Don’t be suprised if it gets you a walleye or 2 in the hours Panrnelli suggests.
Swen, I spent years trolling for northerns and I can tell you one of the things I have learned. When you have a point that protrudes out the northerns will be on the inside of the curve heading out to the point. It has something to do with the point causes a current that carries smells to the pike from shallower depths. The fish can be in any depth but will not cross to the other side of the bar. This would be a lot eaiser if we had a lake map or a drawing If I can be of any other help e me.