It's about 7:30 in the morning and I just threw my first popper on the edge of the Lilly pads. I get a boil immediately and then another, the bass are responding well to this early morning tactic. Usually I retrieve the bait after it clears the pads, but today I was curious about the tall weeds that I was sitting on top of in 14 feet of water. I am thinking that maybe this deep water cover may be holding some bigger fish!

About my fourth cast and retrieve the top of the water exploded and my spool began to peel. This isn't any bass I have ever felt, I thought to my self, my cousin Jake yells, "Ken you got a monster!" "Grab the net would ya?" I respond still in shock and excitement.

I finally got the fish up to the surface enough to get a solid look at the big guy. "Woh, it's a pike!" Jake shouted, as he reached for his first attempt. As he scooped up the giant fish and brought her out of the water I was in awe at the fact that the fish filled the net and spilled over both sides. Now that's top water fishing. I never thought of top water fishing for pike because it always seemed to be a fun way to catch just bass.

Just to change up the every trip agenda, try going to your favorite pike location or simply move out into the deep edge of the weeds or pads. Pike respond just as well as bass to top water although they seem to like certain baits opposed to others. The buzz bait is what we caught most of the fish on some times a popper, and the next was a spook.

This kind of approach is definitely thinking out side the box, but we can't take no credit for just being curious and lucking out.

The next time you have an urge to try something out of the ordinary or not the way that everyone else does it, remember that some one thought out side the box and/or got lucky and figured out the way your fishing now, so live a little and experiment. It takes some luck, but you will be happy with the results.