Chain Pickerel

Question
Mr. Galusha

I've finally decided to break down and ask for help. I have had some trouble getting pickerel to commit to a bite. In fact, they won't bite. Now this is not to say that they aren't interested in the varity of lures I have so graciously entertained them with. It feels like they're laughing at me. Yesterday I was fishing in the late afternoon and early evening. I tried a number of lures including Rapalas, plastic worms and grubs, and topwater. At one point I was using a Bass Pro Shops Slim Dog. It was white with a dark purple top. As I walked the lure away from the reed bed I was fishing, I saw two pickerel rise up. I got excited thinking this was it. But I didn't panick; I kept walking the Slim Dog toward me. But they didn't bite! They followed it all the way to me! So I tried again, only this time I let the lure pause when the pickerel were real interested. TheY swam up to my lure and watched it. I twitched. They followed. But they never took the bait!! WTF?! Well, I have similar stories about Jointed Rapalas, Jitterbugs, and poppers. So if you have a tip or two, I would love to hear them. Thanks much.

Jacob Booher

Answer
Jacob,
So far everything you have said sounds in the right direction.  There is one other trick, which you may have tried - when they are in a hold under the lure, start twitching fast, as if it were in a panic.

With a diving stick bait, crank down, pause, then use the rod tip to rip about 2 to 3 feet, pause and continue.  This is a trick for bass in Arkansas, but will work with other species.

Have you tried a Rat-L-Trap type of lure?  These often get things stirred up.  The Manniac in the pearl/black back color is an excellent lure in this category.

Another trick would be to try replacing goods with the Daiichi Bleeding Bait series.

These are all suggestion that would be interesting to see if they work for you.

If you have any further questions about this, or anything else please feel free to ask.

Best of fishing,
Dan