Yes, I know, all the big game hunting seasons are upon us, but it’s also the season for another kind of big game hunting, or maybe I should say big game fishing; I’m talking bass and the pike family. While I plan to do my share of deer hunting, you can bet I will also put my share of time in on any number of local lakes. Some of that time will definitely be spent pursuing fall season panfish but now is also a good time of year to pursue bass, pickerel, muskies, and northern pike.

Admittedly when I hit a lake this time of the year, I am usually concentrating on bass, but those long bodied, toothy critters are also very willing to gobble up your bass offerings. If you are serious about fishing for northern pike, your best bet would be to head to Presque Isle Bay near Erie or the Allegheny River since we don’t have much in the way of pike in our local waters. Muskies are available, but it usually takes some serious fishing to hook into one, but pickerel on the hand can offer some pretty serious action.

As I mentioned earlier, when I head out onto a lake after the “big game,” I’m usually geared up for bass, but those same lures and techniques will take other fish as well, and to be honest, it’s all about that throbbing fight at the other end of the line. I use an assortment of equipment for my bass fishing — several different bait-casting outfits and usually a couple of different open-faced spinning outfits. I tend to go with the spinning rigs when I’m fishing more snag-free water, and I want to make a more subtle presentation. Casting outfits are great for working weeds and other cover where heavier lines and more powerful gear is needed.

There is a huge assortment of artificial lures and techniques available to fishermen today, and a good many of them will take bass and other big game fish, but we all have our favorites. When you’ve had success with your good old favorites, it’s hard to try something new, but sometimes it can really pay off. I was not a big fan of the wacky worm rig a number of years ago, but when a buddy of mine caught twice as many bass as I did one day, it didn’t take me long to learn the new technique. I’ve been out a few times over the past month, and the wacky worm rig is always in the ready when I launch my boat, and so far, it has gotten results on every trip.

Of course, I have a number of other rods loaded and ready to go; one is always rigged with a Carolina-rigged worm or lizard, and one always has a Texas-rigged worm or lizard in the ready. Don’t neglect those mid and deep-diving crankbaits, and you may also want to have some spinnerbaits and even some weedless spoons close by.

The water temperatures are cooling now, and bass and the pike species could be almost anywhere. I haven’t mentioned walleyes yet, but even they will be willing adversaries this time of year, and the lures already mentioned can be just as productive for them.

I know it’s time to get that rifle sighted in and to practice with your compound, but it’s also time to take out a couple of your favorite fishing rods and hit a local lake or river for some of that other “big game” excitement.