8-12 pounds is very respectable around these parts. Must be some nice oily forage fish in that lake for the pike to snack on.
Has to be. I lost one in around the ten plus range last summer just on a live bait. I was on the north eastern shore of the lake.
I'll take any advice.. First things you have to know when on a new lake is what type of lure or bait works, what depth to fish and where are the rocks! Lol
I have one 5 of diamonds and 10 red and whites great off to bass pro now lol