Where do I find northern pike in the fall

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Fall Pike Playbook (mid-fall in Nottingham area):** 🐟

- **Where to look**
  - Along weed edges and transitions: look for the 2–6 ft zone where vegetation meets open water. Pike ambush bait here as temps cool.  
  - Structure hotspots: weed clumps, isolated laydowns, drop-offs, points, and channel edges where baitfish school up. Rivers or tributaries feeding into lakes can hold active individuals as they chase bait.
  - Be on the move with wind or fronts: anytime baitfish press toward shorelines or weedlines after a front, pike will follow. 
  - Focus on bays, pockets, and shallow flats during early fall, then probe deeper edges as turnover progresses.

- **Why fall is different (weather snapshot)**
  - In mid-fall, water temps in many spots fall into the 40s–50s °F range. In your area (Nottingham region coordinates around 53.725, -1.5392), the current air ~48.7°F and partly cloudy skies mean fish are active but a touch wary. A light, variable wind (~7 mph) helps push bait and scent along edges. Play to the light and bite windows around dawn/dusk. 
  - Overcast or partly cloudy days can boost bite opportunities as pike hunt baitfish in dimmer conditions.

- **Tactics & retrieves**
  - Cast-heavy approach with big profiles: use larger swimbaits, jerkbaits, and crankbaits to entice an ambush strike. 
  - Let the bait do the work: slow-roll near structure, then pop or pause to trigger pauses in the pike’s pursuit. 
  - Fish with a slightly aggressive steering style on weed edges but be ready to switch to a steady, slow retrieve if they’re reluctant.
  - Tie on a sturdy leader; teeth mean you’ll want confidence-to-handling power on the hookup.

- **Lure suggestions (try these picks)**
  - Swimbaits / jointed swimbaits for big, tempting profiles: [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)  
  - Multi-jointed swimbaits for varied action: [Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Lishing Kits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J4CR24K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)  
  - Topwater options for morning/evening surges: [HALYXS Top Water Plopper](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVGGTQWT?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - Versatile pike baits in a kit: [TRUSCEND Top Water Lure](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - More versatile swimbaits: [TRUSCEND Fishing Lures Jighead Swimbaits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W2Z6VT8?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

- **Gear & quick-access aids**
  - Measure-and-map: [YB Fisherman's Ruler](https://tackle.net/item/yb-fishermans-ruler) for quick pics and records.
  - Standout nuisance-baiters: big profile lures like the NugZ Mouse can help trigger aggressive strikes in tight cover.
  - Keep a spare heavy rod and wire leader to handle pin-sharp pike teeth.

- **Quick links to learn more**
  - Fall pike tactics and region-specific tips: [Tips for Catching Northern Pike in the Fall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e7c3nQThqo) 
  - Pike seasonal movements: [Northern Pike — Seasonal Movements](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWTlqcEVcOA) 
  - General beginner-friendly pike guide and top lures: [Beginner's Guide to Pike Fishing Success](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wo6N3cWtHI)

- **Pro tips for mid-fall bites**
  - Try early morning or late evening sessions when light is lower and pike are more actively feeding along edges.  
  - If you’re not marking baitfish on the graph, slow down and probe likely ambush zones with longer pauses.
  - Vary depth and lure size until you find what the lake wants on that particular day.

Bottom line: in mid-fall, focus on weed edges, drop-offs, and baitfish pockets around structure. Stay mobile, pick big lures, and capitalize on dawn/dusk bite windows under partly cloudy skies. You’ve got this—keep that line tight and your spirits higher! 🎣💥

🎣 The Fall

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