In this article, I will reveal what techniques I "employ" when catching pike with big baits in the fall. As soon as the weather cools down, I use a mobile approach to big bait fishing. When you decide to fish for predators, you can face a lot of difficulties at this time of the year. You may be successful in choosing a spot where you will cast the bait and the fish will be waiting for you, but most of the time catching pike turns into a game that tests your patience. The secret to success in lure fishing is very simple: you don't wait for the fish to feed, you look for them.

A mobile approach

By using the wandering method, you will greatly increase your chances of catching fish and there is little doubt that you will catch more fish than you imagined.

At this time of year, you should strategically cover all the places you sail. Depending on the day, sometimes you just need to get the bait just past the pike to hook it.

A reliable and time-tested plan when fishing in canals or rivers is to cast the bait forward so you don't spook the fish before they see your bait. 

Fishing with big baits

The beauty of big bait fishing is its versatility, and it allows you to cover a large area of water and other watery areas. Do not forget that pike are very often found around watery areas and at the edges of water. If you start to bite and even catch a pike, don't be tempted to leave your current spot, stay there for a while and cast the bait again in the same spot. Pike gather in groups, especially when the water cools.

Pike are well-known for their feeding habits: they can feed only at certain times, and they can also not feed for long periods. With large pike it is even more difficult: they rarely feed and spend most of their time waiting for easy prey.

Fishing with big baits is a great method for detecting pike hiding places and in my opinion is more effective than fishing with dead bait for example. It is often the case that if you offer pike easy prey, they are unlikely to resist.

Many anglers criticize huge lures, but the truth is that they catch the biggest pike. I know this because I've caught a lot of them. This is one of my practical and useful tips when trying to catch pike in the fall.

First, big baits attract big fish. Large pike prefer bigger prey: they are less trouble and easier to catch. and you can eat longer.

Another explanation for why large baits are so effective is that pike perceive another large fish as an intruder and immediately attack it. The same is true with pike, so pike lures like the Mike the Pike are a great "weapon". Big pike will not welcome other pike in their territory.

It should be noted that large baits do not only attract large fish. Pike are fearless mean fish and will happily try to hook a big bait.  

Perhaps because they are so noticeable and obvious, but I suspect that their strange behavior "awakens" a certain predator instinct to attack.

Whatever the reason, it works and adds some spice to the sport!

In autumn, you can try the following big baits:

Squirrelly Burt

The first bait is Squirrely Burt. A small, marmite-coated lure that some love and others hate. River Piker says it's one of his favorite lures and he certainly considers himself an extremely well-rounded pike expert. I have caught fish with a Burt lure, but it is not one of my favorite lures as I prefer lures that don't require a lot of preparation. If you can adjust the weight of the Burt lure (to suit your situation) I have no doubt that you will catch fish with it. The lure is about 11 inches long and weighs as much as 100g. Make sure you have the kit to use it before you buy it.

Strike PRO Pig SHAD

Pig Shad is a soft plastic bait. Thanks to the Pig bait, a huge amount of pike is caught, so this bait is definitely worth paying attention to. It will definitely help you catch pike with lures in autumn or any other time of the year.

Pig ShadThe bait has excellent movements and maneuvers well in the water. The tail swims and spins. This lure has a unique performance and works well at any speed. It is also a very versatile bait that can be used in a variety of ways in both shallow and deeper water. I have a 20 cm long bait with a weight of about 50 g.

Fox Rage Replicant

I have already caught a number of large pike and a few sturgeon with this realistic looking soft plastic lure. There are different colors of Replikants lures, they simulate the movement of a wounded lure in the water. Choose a bait 23 cm long.