Diary of a Mad Pike Fan

Northern pike, a fish of legend and lore, violent strikes and powerful fights, fierce Apex predators that can grow to monster size. Many anglers think of remote wilderness trips to the far north for their best chances at trophy pike. But they lurk close-to-home too; near, even in large population centers in the upper Midwest and other northern states. Often overlooked, sometimes all-but forgotten, they are there, and this book is all about how to find and catch them!

Diary of a Mad Pike Fan is based on the author's lifelong obsession with northern pike, including lessons learned from over 40 years of detailed records on thousands of pike catches primarily in the Midwestern region of the United States. He thoroughly updates conventional pike fishing wisdom, challenges much of it, and takes pike specialization beyond where it's gone before. New and comprehensive coverage of pike biology, equipment, lures, baits and techniques are included, as well as finding the best, overlooked pike waters in highly fished areas using fisheries research data and practical hands-on approaches.

Detailed pike preparation steps such as leader making and lure modifications, specific seasonal patterns with example scenarios anglers may face, little known tactical innovations, weather considerations... This first ever northern pike book out of Michigan, which along with Wisconsin and Minnesota is the heart of pike fishing in North America, contains an abundance of new, previously unpublished Esox Lucius intel sure to be useful to pike fans of all experience levels.

Current pike conservation and advocacy is also covered, including such content as careful handling and release practices, and pike management approaches. The northern pike regulations of key Midwest states are analyzed, with an emphasis on conserving and improving northern pike populations for future generations.

Joe Bednar is an avid angler and outdoor writer with a life-long northern pike obsession. He has maintained a detailed log of every one of thousands of pike he's caught since 1980, including plenty of "Master Angler" sized fish from well-pressured stateside waters. He's had over 200 pike fishing articles published in assorted Midwest publications and was a northern pike columnist with the former Esox Angler magazine out of Minnesota.

He was the past President of Pikemasters, which included Chapters in Wisconsin and other states, and published its quarterly newsletter Waterwolf. His involvement with pike fishing in Michigan includes work with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), including Fisheries Conservationist of the Year recognition, the Michigan Muskie Alliance (MMA), and he currently represents northern pike interests on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Warmwater Resources Steering Committee.