okuma carp reels Max 4 Distance 60 Reel disk Carbonite drag washers with Hydro Block gasket ensure a smooth and consistent drag Carp Reel Okuma 6K Feeder

Let sit for 35 minutes

To put all the odds in your favour, make sure you carry a few essential pike lures in your tackle box

I tried out each with a variety of lures and techniques to test their strengths and find their hidden talents

How Long

Neosho River What to fish: paddlefish Where to launch: Twin Bridges Area lighted boat ramp Where to gear up: Cedar Port Marina Where to eat: Waylan's Ku-Ku Burger, Montana Mike's Steakhouse, Coal Creek Restaurant Fun stuff: Paddlefish Research Center, Coleman Theatre, George Francis Riverview Park, Peoria Ridge Golf Course Grand Lake What to fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and paddlefish Where to launch: Bernice Area boat ramp/fishing pier, Cherokee Area lighted boat ramp, Disney Area lighted boat ramp, Honey Creek Area fishing dock/boat ramp, Twin Bridges Area lighted boat ramp Where to gear up: Cedar Port Marina, H2O Sports Rental, Southwinds Marina Where to stay: Serenity Point Resort & Marina, Candlewyck Cove Resort, Shangri-La Golf Club, Resort & Marina, Casitas Grand Lake, Bernice Area campgrounds, Cherokee Area campgrounds, Disney Area tent sites, Honey Creek Area campgrounds, Little Blue Area tent sites, Twin Bridges Area campgrounds Where to eat: The Shebang, Mid-American Grille, Quarter Deck Caf, Mooneys Sunset Bar, Grill & Motel, Raggedys Restaurant Fun stuff: Sail Grand Waterfront, Har-Ber Village Museum, Hogans Off Road Park, Peoria Ridge Golf Course, Lendonwood Gardens, Shawnee Tribe Cultural Center, Oasis Animal Adventures Grand River What to fish: paddlefish Where to launch: Sequoyah State Park, Lake Hudson Where to gear up: Paradise Cove Marina Where to stay: The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park, Sequoyah State Park cabins and campgrounds Where to eat: Fajita Rita's, Erly Rush Coffee Shop, Cowboy's Bar-B-Q & Grill, Giggle Fish Grill Fun stuff: Five Civilized Tribes Museum, Three Forks Nature Center, The Castle at Muskogee, Wolf Clan Art Gallery & Boutique, Sequoyah State Park Golf Course Spavinaw Lake What to fish: Largemouth bass Where to stay: Spring Valley Ranch, Flying J Ranch & Hunt Club, Spavinaw Area campgrounds Where to eat: The Artichoke Restaurant & Bar, Chicken Coop Fun stuff: Pensacola Dam tours, Gourds, Etc, Sharkys Bar Lake Hudson What to fish: Largemouth bass Where to launch: Lake Hudson boat ramp Where to gear up: Mazie Landing Marina Where to stay: Lakeshore RV Park, Chimney Rock Hollow Cabins, Horseshoe Inn & Campground, Lake Hudson campsites Where to eat: Dairy Deal, El Royal Restaurant, JLs Barbecue, Las Fuentes, Dutch Pantry Restaurant & Bakery, Fannies Country Cookin Fun stuff: Salina Highbanks Speedway, OkeOzark Winery, Blue Hole Park, Birdie Boutique, Allred Theatre, GraysLland Acres, Moore Farms, Pryor Creek Golf Club, Pryor Creek Nature Trail Fort Gibson Lake What to fish: Largemouth bass, paddlefish, crappie Where to launch: Long Bay Marina, Taylor Ferry Campground Where to gear up: Long Bay Marina Where to stay: Sequoyah Bay State Park, Sequoyah State Park, Wildwood Campground and other Fort Gibson Lake campsites Where to eat: Wise Owl Coffee Company & Roasters, The Red Rooster Bistro & Bakery, Las Fuentes Fun stuff: Ataloa Lodge Museum, Tiger Gallery Lake Tenkiller What to fish: Crappie, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass Where to gear up: Cherokee Landing State Park ADA accessible fishing dock, Tenkiller State Park Marina, Barnacle Bills Resort & Marina, Clear Water Rentals, Pine Cove Marina & Clearwater Caf, Summers Ferry Park Where to stay: Bending Waters, Pettit Bayside Resort, Fin & Feather Resort, Marval Family Camping Resort, Blue Doors at Tenkiller, Cherokee Landing State Park campsites/group RV camp, Tenkiller State Park lodge/campsites Where to eat: Jincys Kitchen, Soda Steves, Garden Gate Shop & Emilys Tea Room, Big Daddys Restaurant, Smokin Goat Roadhouse Fun stuff: Cherokee Springs Golf Course, John Ross Museum, Camp Gruber ORV Park, Cookson Wildlife Management Area, Hunters Home, Morning Sky Boutique & Evening Shade Mercantile, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Tenkiller Scuba Park, Rose Rock Spa Lake Eufaula What to fish: Crappie Where to gear up: Fountainhead Marina, Eufaula Cove Marina, No