chasing pike

Hi folks, Guided in the champlain valley yesterday at one of my old stomping grounds for northern pike.  Pretty breezy morning with a steady south wind.  Another blue bird sunny day.  Surface temperature was 70 degrees and the water clarity was a bit off.  We cast large Rapala Husky Jerks and attempted to fish some soft plastics.  The wind made the finesse fishing difficult.  We landed one decent sized pike and lost two other fish.  Did have a smallmouth bass attack the Rapala but we were unable to  get the fish stuck.  Not fast and furious out there yesterday.  Brightly colored lures or flies with flash are the ticket for northerns.  Anything that pushes water or creates a vibration in the water can be productive.  Will be trout fishing the next few days and it looks like a cool down on the way.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy