Our Northern Pike Trips are not for the faint of heart. The Pike caught on Aaron’s Guide Service are of immense size and require strength, determination, and a serious learning curve. While Captain Aaron Gaza is willing to teach any range of skill and age, those who come aboard must be prepared to cast heavy lures with big rods and reels all provided by Aaron’s Guide Service. We cast 99% of the time and rarely if ever troll. Hours can go by without sight of a Northern Pike. It’s all about patience for when the water erupts and a fish of a lifetime is caught.

While the Northern Pike can be caught almost any time of year, the best time to chase the beasts is from May 1st into mid-June and again from mid-September to late October.

Pike Season is closed from March 14th until May 1st in NY to allow for the big females to spawn (Lay eggs). Once the spawn ends, these starved pike go on feeding binges feeding on virtually anything that swims prone. This results in exciting and heart-pounding action on Aaron’s Guide Service. These feeding binges only happen in select locations on the lake and Captain Aaron has spent many years discovering these locations and now shares those spots with clients who book with Aaron’s Guide Service.

The warm summer months send these trophy Pike into the deep, cool water. Catching and rapidly retrieving these fish to the surface has a very high mortality rate (Some studies indicate 80%. Due to this, Aarons Guide Service rarely if ever offers Northern Pike trips in the summer months.

Chasing Trophy Pike in the fall is an exciting experience. The biggest Northerns head back up into the cooling, shallow waters and feed heavily one last time before winter comes. Once again, only select locations on the lake produce these giants and Captain Aaron has devoted his time to finding the best Fall Pike locations.

Multi-Species Trips

Rain, shine, cold or warm the bass, walleye, and panfish are always abundant on Aaron’s Guide Service. 20-30 fish days are certainly not uncommon as Aaron’s Guide Service rewrites the stereotype that “fishing is boring”. No matter the age, or skill a variety of techniques and ways to catch these energetic creatures will be taught.

The bass can be caught year-round and there really isn’t a “slow” time for them. Bass season is closed until the 3rd Saturday in June, so if you’re looking to take home your limit, booking a trip in summer or fall is your best bet to have a delicious fish fry. Walleye are deemed the most delectable freshwater meal by many and assuming they are caught during the open season (After May 1st), a limit of 5 per person can be kept!

Whether it’s on the rocks, in the weeds, or in the open water, Captain Aaron has discovered all the best spots that Great Sacandaga Lake has to offer and shares them all with those who book with Aaron’s Guide Service.

In the spring of 2023, we had the pleasure of having Captain Aaron’s brother Sam from SG Angling aboard along with his film equipment. He filmed an exciting 8-Hour Northern Pike trip capturing some of the heart-pounding moments on Aaron’s Guide Service. Captain Aaron was referred to as “Gabe” which is Aaron’s middle name and nickname within the family.