I've never used waterdogs for pike (I have no source) but I think a deadbait is very effective at catching the less active fish like many colorado reservoirs have. Waterdogs have been known to work well though. I'm just saying I really don't think they are necessary- anchovies have been catching me some lunkers this year.
Another popular tactic is to use a LARGE 10" or so sucker on #6 gamakatsu trebles and quick strike rig it, and fish it the same way I've explained for the anchovie. Fishing for pike is a SLOW game in the winter, but you can be rewarded. I think the best thing to do is just put your time in, and you'll be rewarded. It doesn't take nearly as long to get rewarded with a 10+ pound pike compared to a 10+ pound laker. I've caught 5 10+ pound pike this year in approximately 15 days of fishing for them. That means it takes me 3 days per 10+ pounder.
As for the angler having problems at 11mile, there are a multiple number of things that could be going on. 1) the pike is full and not really into eating at the moment. 2) the pike is smart- pike in colorado and particularly pike in heavily pressured, clear waters like 11 mile can be tough. 3) your presentation is off, this I can help you with. How big are your jigs? Pike seem to not like large jigs very well through the ice I've noticed. I've jigged rattletraps, jigging rapalas, and large tube jigs with abysmal results. I've had lookers that I have confirmed were pike, oh yes, but they won't take very often. However, I have caught many pike on small perch/trout jigs. I have had many more bite offs though, lol, as has my brother. I remember at lake X once when he hooked a pike that was at least 20# by how it felt he said, but he had only 2 pound test. Needless to say SNAP. Lol. I have done well with ratsos, shrimpos, and most of all small jigging spoons tipped with waxworm. However, I do not think jigging for pike is the best thing to do in the winter in colorado. In our state, pike numbers are very low compared to other places. Our dissolved oxygen content in water can be much lower, our water is much clearer, our waters are full of food in comparison, and our pike are much more pressured. This equals a lot harder, a lot smarter, and fatter pike. Really, the best way to catch ice pike is the tipup. A pike may look at the deadbait down there a long time before taking. It's best for him to look at it a while. It may be a slow game, but it is high percentage that if you fish proper areas during the proper times of the ice season with proper gear (as I've lined out in many other posts) that you will catch at least one lunker pike if you try several times.
BTW, I'm going pike fishing tomorrow (not stagecoach though, rifle). I'll let ya know the results.
