The Northern Pike is found in the Northern Hemisphere’s freshwater. It is not a small and tiny fish to catch rather much larger and voracious one. The name of this fish got its importance from Pike’s resembles, as pole like a weapon. It is a predator fish that is feared by the smaller ones.
There are males and females in the Northern Pike, which is differentiated based on their size. The female ones are much larger as compared to the larger ones, but both grow with their age continuously.
When talking about weight, the Northern Pike comes with three to seven pounds of weight and a length of 24 to 34 inches.
Why they jump out of water?
Typically, there are various variations in the behavior of Northern Pike, which is also researched by scientists, as well as anglers. So, the most common behavior change in the Northern Pike is why they jump out of the water?
The most commonly known reason is that they jump out of the water to avoid the danger of being eaten by the larger pike fishes, it is also because to attach the prey aggressively at the surface level or could be because of an effort by the angler to throw the bait after being hooked.
These are some of the reasons, but we need to take an in-depth analysis of why does this happen or what actually is beneath and above the surface.
Nature of Pike:
The nature of northern Pike is somewhat much agile and aggressive while also being termed as a predatory fish. They have much physical strength to straight away explode or shoot in action while jumping out the water body.
They are somewhat cannibalistic; that is why the Big northern Pike is the ones that commonly try to feed on the Juvenile and the much smaller Pike. Further speaking, Pike’s nature is extremely territorial and will attack the Pike of the smaller size if there is any chance of then entering their turf.
The aggressive nature might be because of the smaller Pike jumping out of the water with agility. When leaving the water and the land away, the smaller Pike will have the best shot of escaping from the jaws of another Pike’s mouth.
Their nature also includes being very violent and also prey at the surface of the water; that is why they can cause the Pike to propel or jump out of the water. The best way to catch the Pike when they jump from water is to throw the hook of the fishermen while trying entirely to reel it in.
Once they get reeled in the hook, they will try to shake their head. After they start shaking their head, they will also slowly try to get out of the water. Therefore, having no water resistance on the fishing line, it will be vulnerable and will break.
The tension created on the hook can also cause the hook to be dislodged.
To make this article further understandable and knowledgeable for you, we divided the reasons into three parts which are given below;
Three Main Reasons on Pike Jump: A Complete breakdown:
Here are the three main reasons for Pike Jumping out of the water; we discussed the issue thoroughly and also provided you with a solution on how you should react to it.
- Throwing a hook
- Avoiding the Bigger Pike
- Much Aggressive feeding activity
Throwing a Hook:
Pike is considered very powerful and full of energy fish capable of providing bursts of energy tremendously. That is why they jump from the water after being hooked.
The most common trait when it comes to Pike being hooked is that they shake their head at an attempt to run away from the hook in its mouth. This can be termed as their nature, too, because they are compelling and can jump with tremendous energy causing the line to break.
The tension in the angler at some times can be applied to the line, causing the angle to be much more, providing a sharp turn towards the surface of the water.
That is why this angle can allow it to directly jump from the water while shaking its head in the midair—all in one, a simple game of tail power provided by the Pike.
- How should you react to this Scenario?
The fishermen’s most common mistake is that they maintain a steady tension on the fishing line when a powerful fish suddenly gets caught. This is termed as the worst mistake, especially in the case of the Pike.
To correct this mistake, you need to lower the fishing rod top down towards the near water surface while adding as much slack as possible towards the fishing line.
The slack in the fishing line can cause the fish to thrash while landing in the best angle for you suddenly. This will enable you to lower the tension on the line and is not applied directly to the fishing line until the Pike is again under the water. Hence, you need to give you the best in the fishing line when the Northern Pike is airborne.
Avoiding the Bigger Pike:
As we have discussed before that the nature of Northern Pike is much territorial when it comes to the smaller members of the species or kind. They are also very cannibalistic to them, resulting in them being a threat to the smaller variety. That is why the Biggest threat to the smaller Pike is a more significant and aggressive Northern Pike.
From this fact mentioned above, when you see the Northern Pike of about less than the 1.5 feet jump from the water suddenly, then it means that there could be a much larger Northern Pike behind it. That is why the smaller one swam away from it and jumped out of water.
The size of the aggressive Northern Pike, which is chasing the smaller one could be more significant than 1 foot. So, for smart fishermen, it is an indication that more abundant Northern Pike could be nearby with a much smaller one depending on their size.
- How should you react to this Scenario?
The solution or positive reaction to this fact is that there is an indication of a much larger Northern Pike in the water nearby when a smaller or little Pike suddenly jumps from the water body in midair.
It could also be an indication that the bigger Pike isn’t interested in your bait because it could be a mouth full, or the smaller Pike was able to escape because the giant Pike was seen first.
After this, you need to cast the most significant lure for Pike you have in your gear like the stick bait, plug, spoon, bucktail spinner. Then cast it beyond the strike zone you had observed when the smaller Pike was leaving the water body.
Much Aggressive Feeding Activity:
For Fishermen, the trait of Pike fish jumping out of the water is a kind of most promising indication. This simply means that the larger Pike, when jumping from the water on its own, shows that it is either very hungry or aggressive and wants to feed aggressively or it.
You should know that only five percent of this feeding habit by Pike Fishes are near to the surface. It also means that if you witnessed the Pike Fish striking or hunting for the food near the surface, then there could be much more Pike fishes below the surface under the water.
- How should you react to this Scenario?
Speaking about using this golden moment, you should use the top water baits into this zone or specifically the striking zone. Most fish feed is below the water surface, so sending some down into the water will probably lure more pike fish because they are most focuses on the prey instead of other activities.
The best strategy is to fish baits two to eight feet beneath the water surface. This time is best known for aggressiveness because the Pike fishes are aggressive, and even a small amount of their favorite bait can lure them into the trap because they want to destroy the bait.
How Can you Prevent the Jumping Pike from Coming off the Line?
The right time is when you feel a Northern Pike being hooked, at that moment you feel like the fish rapidly angling towards the surface you should prepare yourself for the final breach. You should maintain the tense line for fishing at the time fish jumps.
The proper time is when you feel the tension on the line, which is usually intense and much more robust as compared to the time when the fish was underwater.
In case you feel like the fish is jumping away from your trap, the tense line will start to snap right off as the fish is falling back into the water body. When the fish starts shaking its head after the moment, it can even cause the bait to be thrown right off with a tight line.
So, the best and most intelligent you can do is put the maximum slack in the fishing line as you can possibly once the fish break the water surface. Dropping the tip of the rod to the level of water and then reaching the rod closer to the fish is best practice at the moment if you can do it?
The main goal here is to feel the least tension on the fishing line after the Northern pike lands back into the water body because it is the most effective and easiest way to keep the hooked Pike Fish on the fishing line after it jumps.
Facts of Northern Pike:
Here are some of the facts under consideration when it comes to the Northern Pike;
- They are referred to as the State fish in North Dakota situated in the northern Nike.
- They are also called the Common Pike, Great Lakes pike, American Pike, Long Head, Jack Fish, and even Snot Rocket.
- They are the ambush predators.
- Their swim speed is eight to even ten miles per hour.
- Above the weight limit of eighteen pounds are usually the female Pike.
- Their time for remaining still is remarkably longer.
- The older a Pike fish is, the larger it would be.
- The life span of 25 years is searched for the oldest Pike in the natural habitat.
- Pikes are not considered picky eaters.
- The most adult Pike have none, other predators, except the Human beings.
Fishing Tips for Northern Pike:
- They are famous because of their taste, which is excellent when cooked and also the ease of catch.
- Their meat is really white and also flaky but has a bit of bone as well.
- They are mostly cast near to the shore closer to the weed beds or even near a rockier shore.
- Pike are known for their aggressiveness, so they will try to hit everything that comes in their way or moves. So, ultimately the lure type is most effective in the outcome.
- You should use a lure that is way easier to remove from the mouth of fish.
- For Northern Pike, the most famous lure is a spoon, so use them as a bait for fishing.
- When it comes to surface fishing, the Jitterbug lure is most effective in the case of Pike fish.
- The fishing reel is most important, so finding the correct one will be better. Spin cast reel is by far the easiest when talking about beginner fishermen.
- Pike are known to bite more in the daylight time as compared to the night time.
- Robber fishing is also a way of fishing for Northern Pike, so use shad, bluegill, and even minnow as bait on the hook.
- The amount of fish you can catch depends on the state’s daily limit, so check them out before filling the bucket.
- Remember that permit is required if you need to take a spot for fishing, so educate yourself about the roles of that place, and then owning a permit is a must for fishing.
Habitat of Northern Pike:
- Living areas:
Northern Pike is known because of their fearless and aggressive attitude. That is why they seek areas that have dense vegetation in the lakes, streams, and even the larger rivers.
Their nature includes the occupation of the shallow waters near the shore with some covering. Mostly they like the cold or less temperate water; that is why the fishermen find them in the deeper water when the midsummer arrives.
- Eating Habit:
Some people don’t know that Northern Pike fishes are carnivorous fish, which is known for consuming a lot of food every day, that is why even the smaller Pike fishes fear the larger one. Their eating routine or diet usually revolves around the smaller fishes, and they can even eat frog or the waterfowl.
Their living place is typically the vegetation and makes no movement there while waiting for their food to comes in close enough for a strike.
Another nature of Pike is that they are not so much picky when it comes to eating, that is why they go after the fishes they are close to them. Hence, they will eat anything that is smaller in size and less in power than them.
3 Northern Pike Baits for Summer Fishing
Conclusion: Why do Northern Pike Jump Out of the Water?
There is a lot of reason for Northern Pike jumping out of the water, and it might be because of the attacking prey, trying to throw a hook or even some bigger pike nearby from which it is fleeing.
Knowing each reason and how you can use them for your better fishing can be something useful for Pike fishing. That is why we organized this article for you to know these reasons and much more about the Pike fish.
FAQ:
Would a Pike fish attach a Human Being?
It totally depends on the nature of Pike fish because they don't bike the things or creatures that are bigger in size as compared to their own. But to be honest, the bites do happen when catching the Pike because it can also be a mistake. Pike and Muskies are the two fish relatives of the Barracuda who are most aggressive and can bite onto human beings by mistake or aggressiveness.
What would be the best way to remove the hook from the mouth of the Northern Pike?
You should gently apply some pressure on the wire and then by using the forceps from the gills and mouth to reach onto the hooks. Then you can clamp on the hooks while twisting them freely. Once all of this is done and free, the hook should be easily traced and lifted from the mouth.
Should you be worried about Pike biting the Finger off?
The nature of Pike fish is that they don't bite or attack anything more substantial than them, or they consider them larger enough to not prey. But it could also be a mistake which can cause a bite to happen. So, in case even the Pike was to bite your finger, you should primary don't pull your finger from its mouth.
What is the biggest ever Pike Fish ever Caught?
The biggest one was caught in Germany, in the year 1986 weighing about 55lb 1oz. It is by far the recorded biggest Pike fish ever being caught.
How can you even tell if a Pike fish is Female or Male?
Pike fishes have a mouth full of teeth that are Sharpe and have a long while flattened snout. So, the only way to know about their male and female is through their size. The female ones are larger as compared to the male, so they are naturally more abundant. But they both grow at a continuous rate with their respective age.