Tactics For Trophy Chain Pickerel
Steven Vonbrandt
Chain Pickerel, (Esox Niger), are a formidable gamefish, that are
actively pursued by some, and despised by others!
Chain Pickerel can be found throughout the Northeast, and down to
Florida. In some areas, these are prized as trophies that deserve
the same respect as a big largemouth bass, in other areas, such
as in Florida, many anglers consider them nothing more than a
nuisance.
Many inexperienced anglers mistake this fish for a Northern pike,
but there are distinct differences in these two species. The
Chain Pickerel is distinguished by it's chain like pattern along
it's body. The Chain Pickerel doesn't reach the same proportions
as its counterpart, the Northern Pike. Most Chain Pickerel are
considered large when they reach 3-4 pounds. A true "TROPHY," is
anything above the 4 pound mark. The state record for Chain
Pickerel in most states is between 6 and 8 pounds. Each year, in
the spring, fall, and winter, large specimens are caught that are
in the 4-5 pound range on average, but very few giants over 6
pounds are caught at any time of the year. The Chain Pickerel
actually hit the best in the winter and early spring, and start
their spawning process as water temperatures climb into the 40's.
Unlike most other species, they don't make beds, and they deposit
their eggs on strands of vegetation, sometimes mixed with sticks,
and other structure. They don't defend their young either, they
deposit the eggs and move on, devouring their own young soon
after they hatch.
LOCATIONS AND TACTICS:
Chain Pickerel hit well in the winter months, and even through
the ice. They usually cruise the same areas as other gamefish
such as largemouth bass, crappies, yellow perch, and other
panfish.
Pickerel will savagely attack schools of baitfish, or
individuals, whatever is the easiest prey at the time. I have
caught Chain Pickerel with Catfish lodged in their mouths that
were too large to swallow, and they still were attacking other
baits. I have even found Chain Pickerel laying dead or dying, on
the surface with huge bluegills stuck in their mouths, yet at
other times, only want a small bait on or near the bottom.
The best locations for Chain Pickerel in the winter is along
points, with drop-offs near deeper water, and areas that contain
some underwater cover and vegetation nearby. They will be shallow
at times, even in very cold water, but are always near the
baitfish, and deeper water escape routes. They can be found by
deep water brushpiles also, due to the fact that these same areas
hold other types of prey, and panfish, thus the pickerel aren't
far away.
Contrary to popular belief, Chain Pickerel can be caught in the
dark, but this is more of a rare occurrence than a standard rule
of thumb. In the early spring, many of the pickerel will be in
water near the shoreline, and emerging grasses, and other
vegetation, gorging on baitfish, and preparing to spawn. They can
be in water as shallow as a few inches, to a couple of feet. The
easiest way to catch chain pickerel is on live bait. They like
medium to large shiners, and big minnows. This has always been a
standard fare for pickerel. There are other methods though that
will take real "Trophies," and not so many of the more common 2-3
pounders.
The best way to catch larger chain pickerel is to use a small jig
such as a shad dart, in yellow/red, or yellow/white combinations,
in a 1/64 ounce size, up to about an 1/8 ounce. These are really
small baits, and a lot of finesse is required to catch chains on
these lures. The other bait that works well is a 1/16 to 1/4
ounce brown or brown/black hair jig. Both these jigs should be
used first without any other bait, such as minnows attached to
them.
You first need to find the areas that will hold the pickerel;
drop-offs, near points, humps, vegetation, and other cover. You
should rig this jig on 4-6 pound test line. This is what makes
the lure have the correct action and depth that trigger some of
the bigger fish. It is the same principle as smallmouth fisherman
use on Pickwick. They use 6 pound test line, not because the fish
can see it, but because it allows the lure to maintain the proper
fall, depth, and action, that catch the larger fish.
I like to rig two rods, with a shad dart on one, and a hair jig
on the other. I start by letting out about a hundred feet of
line, and slowly trolling these baits in wide, 360 degree circles
over the chosen areas. You will pick up leaves and grass if
you're doing it right, if you don't. slow down. The majority of
strikes will feel like nothing more than grass or leaves on the
lure, but most of time it's a big Chain Pickerel!
I can't overemphasize the importance of watching the line! If the
line moves, or does ANYTHING, that it hasn't been doing, then set
the hook. You can't set the hook the same way you do with a bass.
It takes a slower short snap in the wrist, while reeling the line
up tight, and applying just the right amount of pressure. The
drag setting is critical, since you are using such light line,
and light equipment.
Most of the time, I take the anti-reverse off, and backreel. They
will make some long runs and head to the deeper water on the
bottom, and try to wrap you up in the trolling motor, and break
you off under the boat as they get close. The only way to get
good at landing them, is to catch them. Practice is the only way
to get a feel for landing them on this light equipment. If you
don't get any takers after working 2 or 3 of your best areas,
then add a small minnow to the back of the lures, but go to a 1/8
or 1/4 ounce, in brown/orange or lime green.
Troll them the same way in these areas again, while casting
another rod to search the areas, and impart more action to the
bait to try to develop a pattern that they want that day.
Pickerel are ferocious one day, and finicky the next. They are
unpredictable sometimes, so don't give up. On a good day, I have
caught 5-7 Chain Pickerel that were all over 4 pounds, and
usually 2 or 3 over 5 pounds. I have caught others in some
Delaware and New Jersey Lakes, that exceeded 6 pounds. I caught a
Chain Pickerel in 2000, that won the Delaware State Sportfishing
Tournament for the year, that was 6 pounds, 14 ounces, just a few
ounces short of the state record!
EQUIPMENT:
You need 3 or 4 spinning rods for these tactics, in the 5 and 5
1/2 foot range, ultra-light to light action, with a good degree
of sensitivity. I like G.Loomis rods, but there are other good
light action rods you can use for this as well. They should be
paired with a good reel, such as a Shimano or Daiwa, with a great
drag, set lightly. But as I mentioned before, backreeling, with
the anti-reverse off, is really the best way. I use Stren line in
4-6 pound test for this, as it gives the lures the proper action,
and depth. Recently though, I have experimented with some
superlines with good results.
BEST LOCATIONS:
Here in the Northeast, (Delaware, New Jersey, and New York), in
particular, some of the places that hold the largest chain
pickerel are Horsey's Pond, in Lower Delaware, Killens Pond in
Dover, and the Nanticoke River, (Broad Creek), in Seaford.
In New York I like Lake Champlain, and in New Jersey, Farrington,
Union, Assunpink, and Hopetcong, are among some of the better
lakes, although there are many more that produce big chains as
well. Employ some of these tactics this winter and in the spring
on some of these lakes and I think you will be surprised at the
results. You won't catch as many pickerel using some of these
methods, but they will be BIG!
Steve vonBrandt sponsored by Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits,
TTI-Blakemore, Okuma, and Ambush Lures. 1998 BBWC, NAFC Hall Of
Fame angler. Reeltimeanglers at
http://www.reeltimeanglers.com
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