The Waiting Game

The days start early; very early. Competition for prime real estate is fierce, as hardwater nomads travel long ways in the wee hours of the night to stake out their spots. Holes are drilled and spreads of tip-ups are set with freakishly large baits hanging just off bottom. The portable shelter goes up just as the winter sun pokes over the treeline and the waiting game begins. This is the version of ice fishing for northern pike I've come to know and love.

It's not an active type of ice fishing by any means, at least compared to something like jigging for trout or panfish. But what it lacks in action can make up for in size ten fold. Be forewarned that if you're going to devote your whole ice season, or at least a decent portion of it, to targeting trophy pike, one should have a good supply of mental toughness.There are many long, quiet hours of nothing that can make you question everything you think you know about how and where you're fishing. There are days and even whole weekends when you may not see a single flag. You can fish multiple 12-hour shifts straight without witnessing any pike, let alone a good one, getting pulled out of the lake. Thankfully, there is cooking, eating, drinking, and camaraderie to help pass the time...

In an instant, the deafening silence can be broken up by brief moments of craziness and glory. When you're fishing proven water with quality bait, every flag that pops could be 'the one.' It's all about putting your time in. Granted, I've seen anglers waltz onto bodies of water and ice pike they didn't necessarily earn (hell, I've been guilty of it too) and I've also witnessed dedicated guys go unrewarded for lengthy spells on lakes they know like the back of their hand. Yet, more often than not, it's the anglers who fish long and hard and do their homework that get their trophy in the end, and they deserve it. I was floored to watch by buddy Aaron do just that this season with a 22-pound behemoth. I'm still holding out hope for mine and she will come. It's a waiting game after all.





Photo credit: Aaron Swanson



Photo credit: Aaron Swanson





Photo credit: Will Sirotnak



Photo credit: Aaron Swanson



 

Photo credit: Aaron Swanson