I'm fishing the Ottawa river today at 11:00am for near Orleans what bait should i use for max success with northern pike

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Prime Pike Plan for the Ottawa River near Orleans (11:00 a.m.)**

*Weather snapshot for today:* Clear skies, about **84°F**, light breeze around **10.5 mph**, humidity ~31%, visibility ~4 miles. In mid‑to-late fall, and with a sunny, clear day like this, pike tend to cruise weed edges and current seams where the warmth pockets linger. Keep your retrieves steady with occasional bursts to trigger bites. 🌞🐟

**Top lure picks (best bets for max success):**

- **Bucktail spinners (1.5–2 oz)** in bright patterns (chartreuse/white, chartreuse/orange). Cast along weedlines, eddies, and current seams; work with a steady retrieve and occasional rip/jerk to wake a lazy bite.
- **Large spoons (3–5 inches)** in chrome/chartreuse, silver/green, or gold/blue combos. Great for open-water targets; pause-retrieve to trigger follow bites in clear water.
- **Shallow-running crankbaits (3–4 inches)** in fire tiger, sexy shad, or sexy shad/gold patterns. Run 2–4 ft deep to cover likely pike holding zones near current and weed edges.
- **Paddle-tail swimbaits (4–6 inches)** with a 1/2–1 oz jig head or a weedless setup for weedier bays. Erratic pauses and quick pauses work well to imitate injured baitfish.
- **Soft plastic jerkbaits (5–6 inches)** rigged for a tight, erratic action; try a slow glide with short pops to provoke strikes around structure.
- **Topwater options** (early morning or along shallow weedlines): walking baits or poppers can payout when pike are cruising the surface, especially along sun-warmed pockets. If it’s too late in the morning, rely more on subsurface work.

**Tactics & rigging tips:**
- Focus on weedlines, current seams, eddies, log jams, and rock drops—these edges concentrate pike feeding during clear, sunlit days.
- Use a sturdy setup: rod around 7’0”–7’6”, **medium-heavy to heavy** power; line in the 20–50 lb braid range with a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader for abrasion resistance when around rocks and branches.
- Retrieve cadence: start with a steady, moderate speed, then pepper in short bursts and occasional pauses; pike often strike during the pause.
- If you’re fishing a current area, try casting upstream and letting the lure work back with the current to entice slashing bites.
- Be ready to switch lures quickly if you’re not getting follows within 15–20 minutes. Pike are opportunistic and will show up on multiple baits in short sessions.

**Gear & gear-up ideas (Amazon picks):**
- [Ugly Stik Dock Runner Spinning Rod & Reel Combo](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSR4HDPR?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – tough, budget-friendly for river pike and rough cover.
- [PLUSINNO Spinning Rod and Reel Combos](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0744H8HFH?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – versatile and travel-friendly; good for a secondary rig.
- [Shakespeare Micro 7' Spinning Rod](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D15ZZCWV?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – light, responsive for finesse casts along weed edges.
- [Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Rod](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDMMZC64?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) – reliable workhorse when pulling bigger pike lures.

**Helpful videos for technique:**
- [Northern Pike Lure Guide – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=northern+pike+lure+guide)
- [Pike Fishing in Rivers – Techniques & Gear – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pike+fishing+river+techniques)

If you want, I can tailor a quick 2-lure, 1-hour plan based on current water clarity and weed density once you scout the spot. Tight lines, and may the pike bite true today! 🚣‍♂️🐊

**Stay sharp, stay patient, and happy fishing!**

Pike & Musky Questions

More Questions

Is the Megabass X-80 Jr. equipped with a larger hook?

In San Diego, how should I fish for largemouth bass this time of year?

Zappu x Ryugi System Hook RPZ Weedless Talisman 3pk

How can I find fish on any lake?

What are the best worm colors for bass fishing in early summer?

What are the best beginner rod and spinning reel combos that come pre-spooled for someone in the UK?

What are some of the most common deadly fish?

What fish can I catch in Gunpowder Falls?

I'm formatted question: I'm fishing the Ottawa River today at 11:00am near Orleans. What bait should I use for max success with northern pike?

Product Recommendations

PLUSINNO Spinning Rod and Reel Combos Telescopic Fishing Rod Pole with Reel Line Lures Hooks Fishing Carrier Bag Case and Accessories Fishing Gear Organizer (1.8M 5.91FT Fishing Gear Organizer) ...

Shakespeare Micro 7' Spinning Rod, 2-Piece Fishing Rod, Graphite Composite Blank, Light Rod Power, Comfortable Full Cork Handle

Goture Fishing Rod and Reel Combo - 7FT Carbon Fiber Telescopic Fishing Pole - 2 rods & 2 reels with Oxford Fishing Bag - A

PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos Carbon Fiber Telescopic Fishing Rod with Reel Combo Sea Saltwater Freshwater Kit Fishing Rod Kit…

Ugly Stik Dock Runner Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo, 3' - Medium, Multi, 1pc

PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos Carbon Fiber Telescopic Fishing Pole with Reel Combo Sea Saltwater Freshwater Kit Fishing Rod Kit

Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Rod

Shakespeare Micro 5' Spinning Rod, 2-Piece Fishing Rod, Graphite Composite Blank, Ultra Light Rod Power, Comfortable Full Cork Handle

Community

🎣 Bait-I-Muharib