Knowledge of the positions
As for all fish, the knowledge of your fishing area is important, because it allows you to make the right choices in terms of positions to be favored, prey present and therefore flies to use. But also to have some confidence in your strategy and your fishing spots.
Each body of water, lake or pond, has more interesting spots than others, depending on the season and water levels. It is therefore necessary to take this into account but also to know how to get out of one's comfort zone and off the beaten track.
A type or color of flies can also make a difference on this or that corner. In any case, you should not stay on a given pattern, and always question yourself and test different approaches.
A simple principle is to start close to the surface and then go down to the bottom using floating and then gradually faster (intermediate and diving S3, S5, S7) flies. Use natural flies in clear water, and contrasting or flashier flies in murky water, or when there is no success. Vary sizes, volumes, animations.
Experience also allows you to have a whole range of tactics, techniques and allows you to adapt to the conditions, and therefore to make the right choices. But you should not reproduce what you have already done even if it has already worked and sometimes look for a completely different approach or even the opposite.
Fishing from the shore or by boat
By boat, it is easy to move around and therefore to cover several fishing areas, but also types of habitat and especially depths to find active fish. Sometimes of course it is necessary to insist on a post or to return there, because we know that pikes have a rather reduced period of activity. Not to mention the sounders which necessarily bring additional information.
This is a definite advantage. Moreover, for many years, light boats such as float-tubes, pontoon-boats, SUP are more and more used.
From the shore, you should not hesitate to change corners quickly, because your range of action is limited to your casting length and the remote positions are not reachable. This can compromise your chances of success, especially when the pike are either overfished or on deeper spots.
It is therefore necessary to go to the right edge, to choose the favorable zones, and also to look for a little difficulty by fishing sectors neglected because very crowded. Fish with an anti-weed fly or an inverted mounting, but also choose your water body according to the season and its possibilities.
Pike fishing can be more complex than it seems. It is not enough to throw a streamer XXL to catch some. It is necessary to constantly rack your brains and ask yourself the right questions.
Have a great fall season!
