1. **Buzz Baits**: These lures create a lot of noise and surface commotion. The blades spin on the surface, attracting pike with their vibrations. Try using buzz baits in the early morning or late evening when pike are more active.
2. **Poppers**: Poppers are great for creating a popping sound that can entice pike. Cast them near weed beds or structure, and use a stop-and-go retrieve to mimic injured prey.
3. **Walking Baits**: Lures like the Zara Spook or similar walking baits can be very effective. They allow you to create a side-to-side motion on the surface, which can trigger aggressive strikes from pike.
4. **Frog Lures**: Hollow body frog lures are excellent for fishing in thick cover, such as lily pads or reeds. Use a steady retrieve to make them walk across the surface, and be ready for explosive strikes.
5. **Topwater Swimbaits**: Larger swimbaits that float can also be effective. They can be worked slowly across the surface to imitate larger prey such as bass or panfish, which pike love to eat.
**Tips for Success**:
- **Timing**: Early morning and late evening are the best times for topwater pike fishing.
- **Location**: Look for pike in shallow areas with vegetation, as they tend to ambush prey.
- **Retrieve**: Experiment with different retrieve speeds and patterns to see what triggers the pike on that particular day.
- **Gear**: Use a medium to medium-heavy rod with a fast action to handle the aggressive strikes and fight of pike.
Remember, the thrill of seeing a pike explode on your topwater lure is unmatched, so get out there and enjoy the action!
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