When targeting pike with topwater lures, it's essential to mimic injured prey to trigger their predatory instincts. One effective technique is the 'walk the dog' retrieve, where you twitch the rod tip to make the lure zigzag on the surface. This imitates a wounded fish struggling to swim, enticing pike to strike. Another technique is the 'stop-and-go' retrieve, where you reel in the lure, pause to let it float, then twitch it to create splashes. This mimics a distressed prey pausing, often triggering aggressive strikes. Additionally, using noisy topwater lures like poppers or buzzbaits can attract pike by creating commotion on the surface. Remember to vary your retrieval speed and pauses to find what triggers the most strikes.

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Topics covered in this question:

Pike Fishing Predatory Instincts Topwater Techniques Lure Retrieval