Northern Pike

[Special]

I want to fish for this fish on a lake which is really two lakes connected by a middle channel. They say there are numerous pike in the "narrows" and indeed I did hook one of massive proportions (which escaped) but have not caught any since. I have read some literature which leads me to believe that my technique of reeling a spoon through open water is not the best, and that at this time of year, the fish stays close to the bottom. The water is very weedy and dark and I'm not sure if the weeds stop even in the center, which snags lures if dropped too long. So I would like to know where best to catch the pike, in the weeds, out of the weeds if there is a place, and how to tell the depth or determine structure when the water is dark, and some of your favorite lures.
I also posted to the general freshwater about a week ago about less-specific fishing.

Thanks in advance

also one last thing
there are usually tons of ducks on the lake, with mother caring for little ones
this year, the normally aggressive mothers are hanging out together with no babies
the locals say the pike ate all the duckings
crazy, huh?
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