If you want to catch more pike on your trips, you need to have some key lures and master some techniques. Yeah, location, weather and time of day play a role too, but lures are just as important.
Let’s talk about the best lures to fill your tackle box. Pike are known for their aggressive strikes and love for flashy, noisy baits. The top pike lures include spinners, spoons, and swimbaits that mimic their natural prey.
Some classic choices that have stood the test of time are the Red Eyed Wiggler spoon and the Mepps Musky Killer spinner. These lures create enticing action in the water that pike can’t resist. For a modern option, try the Rapala Super Shad Rap, which is great for both casting and trolling.
When picking lures, think about the water conditions and time of day you’ll be fishing. Silver lures work well on sunny days, while yellow or brighter colors are better for cloudy weather. Don’t forget to pack a variety of sizes to match different prey and pike moods. With the right lures, you’ll be reeling in more pike in no time.
Understanding Pike Behavior
Pike are aggressive freshwater predators with unique habits. Knowing how they act helps you catch them better.
Habitats and Feeding Patterns
Pike like to hide in weeds and ambush their prey. You’ll often find them near underwater plants, fallen trees, and rocky areas. These spots give them cover to surprise fish swimming by.
Pike eat many things. Their diet includes:
- Small fish
- Frogs
- Mice
- Ducklings
They hunt most during dawn and dusk. That’s when they’re most active and hungry. Pike use their keen eyesight to spot prey.
In lakes, big female pike stay in deeper water. Smaller pike, called “jacks,” hang out in shallow, weedy spots.
Role of Water Temperature and Clarity
Water temp affects pike a lot. In warm water, they move faster and eat more. Cold water slows them down.
Best pike fishing temps:
- Spring: 55-65°F
- Summer: 65-75°F
- Fall: 50-60°F
Clear water lets pike see better. They might be pickier about lures in clear water. In murky water, use brighter lures to catch their eye.
Pike like cooler water. As lakes warm up, they go deeper to find comfort. Follow them down for summer catches.
Must-Have Lures for Pike
Want to catch more pike? Stock up on these essential lures:
Spoons – Classic and effective, spoons like the Dardevle mimic injured baitfish. Their wobbling action drives pike crazy. Try silver or gold colors for best results.
Spinners – The Mepps Musky Killer works great for pike too. Its flashing blade and vibration attract strikes from far away. Go for size 5 or larger.
Crankbaits – The Rapala Super Shad Rap is perfect for pike. At 5.5 inches long, it matches their prey size. Cast or troll it to cover lots of water.
Soft plastics – Try the Storm WildEye Live. This realistic swimbait comes pre-rigged and ready to fish. Pike can’t resist its lifelike action.
Bucktail jigs – Tie on a large bucktail jig like the Dr.Fish. The pulsing hair and erratic fall trigger strikes from aggressive pike.
Remember to use a wire leader with all these lures. Pike have sharp teeth that can easily cut through regular fishing line.
Mix up your lure choices based on water conditions and pike behavior. What works one day might not the next. Keep experimenting until you find what the fish want.
Best Soft Plastics for Pike
Soft plastic lures can be deadly for pike fishing. They offer lifelike action that mimics real prey fish. Here are some top soft plastic options to try:
Swimbaits: 4-5 inch swimming baits with paddle tails work great. They have a natural swimming motion pike can’t resist. Brands like Storm make realistic soft plastic swimbaits.
Jerk Shads: These slender soft plastics dart erratically when twitched. Pike often strike them on the fall. Stuff like the Berkley PowerBait Jerk Shads are a popular choice.
Curly Tail Grubs: The wiggling tail of these lures attracts pike attention. Rig them on a jighead and swim them slowly.
Magic Swimmer Soft: This versatile lure can be fished many ways. Swim it steadily or add twitches and pauses for different actions. Check them on TackleDirect.
When using soft plastics for pike:
- Try bright colors on sunny days
- Use natural shades in clear water
- Rig with a steel leader to prevent bite-offs
- Experiment with retrieves to find what works
Remember to size up your soft plastics when targeting big pike. Larger lures often catch larger fish.
The Art of Using Crankbaits
Crankbaits are great lures for catching pike. They mimic small fish and create vibrations that attract predators. Let’s look at some top crankbaits and how to use them effectively.
Best Crankbaits for Pike
The Rapala X-Rap is a top choice for pike fishing. It has a lifelike swimming action that pike can’t resist. The Rippin Rap is another good option. Its loud rattles and tight wobble trigger strikes from aggressive pike. Check it out on BassPro.
For shallow water, try the Rat-L-Trap. It sinks quickly and creates a lot of noise. This lure works well when pike are hunting near the surface.
Mix up your crankbait colors. Bright colors work on cloudy days. Natural patterns are better in clear water. Always have a few different options in your tackle box.
Depth Control and Retrieval Techniques
To fish crankbaits effectively, you need to control their depth. Shallow-running crankbaits work best in 1-3 feet of water. Medium divers can reach 5-10 feet deep. Deep-diving crankbaits can go down to 20 feet or more.
Vary your retrieve speed to see what the pike prefer. A steady retrieve often works well. But sometimes a stop-and-go action triggers more strikes. Try pausing the lure occasionally to let it float up. This can mimic an injured baitfish.
Cast your crankbait parallel to weed edges. Pike often hide there waiting to ambush prey. Bump the lure into logs or rocks if you can. This creates noise and erratic movement that can provoke a strike.
Mastering Spinners and Spoons
Spinnerbaits and spoons are must-have lures for pike fishing. These versatile baits can attract big pike in various conditions. Let’s look at some top choices and how to use them effectively.
Best Spinners for Pike
The Mepps Aglia is a classic spinner that pike love. Its flashy blade creates vibrations that draw strikes. Try the #5 size in silver or gold for best results.
For spoons, the Original Dardevle is hard to beat. Its wobbling action and red-and-white pattern have been catching pike for decades.
The Johnson Silver Minnow is perfect for fishing in weeds. Its weedless design lets you cast into thick cover where pike hide.
Retrieval Strategies for Spinners
When using spinners, vary your retrieve speed to find what works. Start with a steady, medium-speed retrieve. If that doesn’t work, try speeding up or slowing down.
For spoons, a stop-and-go retrieve often triggers strikes. Cast out, let the spoon sink, then reel in with short pauses.
In clear water, use a faster retrieve to cover more area. In murky water, slow down to give pike more time to find your lure.
Try “burning” your lure just under the surface. This fast retrieve can trigger reaction strikes from aggressive pike.
Best Spinnerbaits for Pike
Spinnerbaits are great lures for catching pike. They create vibration and flash that attract these predatory fish.
The Booyah Pikee Spinnerbait is a great option. It has a large profile and strong vibration that big pike can’t resist. The tandem blades give extra flash and thump.
The War Eagle Gold Frame is a top budget-friendly option. It comes in different sizes and colors. Prices range from about $5 to $13.
When picking colors, consider the weather. White, black, or red spinnerbaits often work best on sunny days. For cloudy conditions, try chartreuse or blue.
Some anglers like spinnerbaits with red or orange accents. These colors can be effective for pike in many situations.
Remember to match your lure size to the pike you’re targeting. Larger lures tend to attract bigger fish.
Using the right spinnerbait can make your pike fishing more successful. Try a few different options to see what works best in your local waters.
Best Swimbaits for Pike
Swimbaits are awesome lures for catching big pike. These lifelike baits mimic real fish and drive pike crazy.
The Strike King Shadlicious Swimbait is a top pick. It has a realistic shad shape that pike love. The soft plastic body moves naturally in the water. Try the 5-inch size in silver or white colors.
Savage Gear makes great pike swimbaits too. Their 3D Line Thru Trout looks just like a real trout. Cast it out and reel it in slowly for best results.
Soft plastic swimbaits work well for pike fishing. The Storm WildEye Live is a good choice. It has a big paddle tail that creates lots of action. Pike will slam this bait.
When using swimbaits, vary your retrieve speed. Sometimes a slow steady retrieve works best. Other times, pike prefer a faster, erratic action. Experiment to see what the fish want that day.
Remember to use a wire leader with swimbaits. Pike have sharp teeth that can cut through regular fishing line. A 12-inch steel leader will protect your line and help you land more fish.
Jerkbaits for Pike
Jerkbaits are awesome lures for catching pike. These lures mimic injured baitfish, making them irresistible to hungry pike.
When choosing a jerkbait for pike, look for ones that are 4-6 inches long. This size matches the typical prey pike go after.
Some top jerkbait options for pike include:
Spring and fall are great times to use jerkbaits. Pike are extra active during these seasons as they prepare to spawn or bulk up for winter.
To fish a jerkbait, cast it out and give it quick, sharp jerks as you reel it in. This creates an erratic action that triggers pike to strike.
Use a medium-heavy rod with a braided line for jerkbait fishing. This setup gives you better control over the lure’s action.
Try different retrieval speeds and pauses to see what the pike respond to best. Some days they might want a fast, aggressive retrieve. Other times, a slower presentation with longer pauses works better.
Topwater Tactics for Aggressive Pike
Topwater fishing for pike can be thrilling. You’ll see exciting strikes as these predators attack lures on the surface.
Frogs, Poppers, and Surface Lures
Frog lures are great for pike in weedy areas. The LiveTarget Hollow Body Frog is a popular choice. Work it with short hops across lily pads and grass mats.
Poppers like the Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper create noise and commotion. Use a “pop-and-pause” retrieve to mimic injured prey. This often triggers aggressive strikes from pike.
For best results, fish topwater lures early in the morning or late in the evening. These are prime feeding times for pike. Cast near weed edges, fallen trees, or other structures where pike like to ambush prey.
Remember to use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs from pike’s sharp teeth. Be ready for explosive strikes and set the hook quickly when a pike hits your lure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pike fishing requires specific lure choices for different conditions. Knowing the right lures can make a big difference in your success rate. Let’s look at some common questions about pike lures.
What are the top lure types for catching pike in rivers?
Spinners and crankbaits work great for river pike. They create vibrations that attract pike in moving water. Try using larger lures, as river pike often go for bigger prey. Soft plastic swimbaits can also be effective, mimicking small fish that pike love to eat.
Which lures work best for pike during the summer months?
In summer, topwater lures can be very effective for pike. Buzzbaits and poppers cause surface commotion that draws pike up from deeper, cooler waters. Jerkbaits are another good choice, as their erratic action imitates struggling prey fish in warm waters.
What color lures have the highest success rate when fishing for pike?
Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, and white often work well for pike. These colors stand out in murky water. In clearer conditions, more natural colors like silver or gold can be effective. Experiment with different colors to see what works best in your fishing spot.
What kind of lures are most effective for northern pike in Canadian waters?
In Canadian waters, large spoons and inline spinners are popular for northern pike. The Red-Eyed Wiggler is a classic choice that’s been catching pike for decades. Soft plastic jerkbaits in perch or walleye patterns can also be very effective in these waters.
Are there specific attractants that make pike lures more effective?
Some anglers use scent attractants on their lures to make them more appealing to pike. Garlic and fish oil are popular choices. However, many experienced pike anglers rely more on lure action and presentation than added scents. A well-presented lure with natural movement is often enough to entice a strike.
