How to Choose a Lure Rod for Pike Fishing

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How to choose a lure rod for pike fishing thats right for the job

Pike fishing is one of the most rewarding sports of its type thanks to the complexities and challenges it brings – this is probably why it appeals to so many! Different fishing techniques can be employed to catch your pike and they can be caught in both lakes and rivers, by boat or form the shore. So fishing for pike requires certain planning and equipment in order for it to be a success.

Esox Lucius Linnaeus Northern Pike

Pike Fish

Distribution

Britain, Ireland, northern Europe, most of Canada, and most parts of the United States

These fish have been swimming the waters of the UK for over 50,000 years and are one of the most highly adapted predators to fish. Their stunning markings are entirely unique, just like human fingerprints and their average size is 5-12lbs, although some have been caught weighing as much as 45lbs.

Pike fishing is one of the most rewarding sports of its type thanks to the complexities and challenges it brings – this is probably why it appeals to so many! Different fishing techniques can be employed to catch your pike and they can be caught in both lakes and rivers, by boat or form the shore. So fishing for pike requires certain planning and equipment in order for it to be a success.

Their predatory skills and nature when coupled with their size make them an interesting target for fishing enthusiasts. Knowing how to handle them is of crucial importance due to how heavy they can be but also their sharp teeth which can cause a lot of damage! The pike is actually quite a delicate fish so the right tools and techniques must be used to protect them. 

Lure fishing is one of the most popular ways to catch pike so this article will help you choose the right lure rod and other equipment you need. You won’t need a huge amount to start with – just wait until your enthusiasm grows before buying more! You’ll need a rod, a net, some wire traces and plenty of lures, plus your bits and pieces for when you land your prey. With the reduced amount of equipment, you can explore the waters to find your catch which will help to keep you warm if you’re fishing in the cold!

Casting weights

One thing to consider when fishing for larger ones such as pike is what casting weights you need because this is what determines the power of the rod. Of course the casting weight will depend on the type of lures and rod you are planning to use.

Many pike fishers choose a casting weight of between 15-50g because this will allow you a wide variety of lures to try and bait fishing will also be possible too.

However, if you wish to use bigger and heavier lures you will need to ensure your rod has a greater casting weight capability – the size you use necessitates a variation in rod. Don’t forget, the bigger the lure, the more tiring it can be to fish with so until you are well-practised you might want to star with smaller ones or at least alternate from large to small.

Avoid ultra-light though as you won’t get much pike given their size and power!

To see the size of the casting weight, look at the blank of the rod. You will see numbers such as 5-25g, 15-40g or 30-60g. These figures denote the best lure weight that the rod can cast. And the higher the number, obviously the higher the weight and therefore the more powerful the rod will be.

Reel

There are two main types of reel – fixed spool set up or baitcaster / multiplayer rod and reel. When you need versatility, a fixed spool is your best bet and they are great for those who are less skilled at casting. A baitcaster, on the other hand, is more compact and feels smaller and neater on the rod but will also be better for heavy lures.

Spinning reels or Pike

Fixed spool reel set ups ideal starting point for the nonice who wants to give pike spinning a go.

Below are some great spinning rods that can be paired with these fabulous reels that can deal with most of the average sized lures available today.

Pike spinning rods for begginers

Rod Length

Lure rods have different monikers including spinning rods and even plugging rods but they are all generally similar in length and perform similarly. For lure fishing pike, you want to consider a rod between 6ft and 10ft and you of course need to consider the power it provides (dictated by its casting weight, as mentioned above). The power is found through the middle of the rod down to the butt of it and they all need to have a flexible tip section.

Normally, the longer the lure rod is, the more powerful it tends to be so a very good starting point for a beginner looking to start pike fishing would be a rod of around 8ft in length with a fast action and a medium to medium-heavy power range (that is, a casting weight in the region of 15-40g).

This will allow the fisher to have the capability they need to cast most multi-use lures but will maintain enough power to control and stop the larger pike you might find in the waters you are in.

A rod such as this will give you good leverage and the ability to hook the pike once it strikes!

Jerkbait rods

Jerkbait fishing has become increasingly popular when catching pike in the recent years and the lures have become larger.

The reason being is that a jerkbait technique is great a triggering a strike from a well-adapted predator such as a pike who will attack based on sight.

You can use this technique in all water temperatures making it successful all year round. It’s also extremely exhilarating too!

The jerkbait itself is designed to look like a fish, after all that is what a pike would prey on!

There are generally two types; hard body and hybrids and you would be better off using a stop-and-go reel that can allow you to make the jerking motion of a fish in distress that would attract the attention of a pike.

The jerkbaits can float for shallow water fishing, suspend to keep them in the strike zone which is better for cold water or can sink which is better for deep water fishing. Take a look at the Westin range of lures which can be used for jerkbait fishing for pike.

This type of bait weighs a lot, and that in addition to the action required to jerk it requires a certain type of rod – substandard equipment will soon be worn out by the strain of repeated heavy casting.

Jerkbait fishing for pike cannot be done on a traditional spinning rod, you will need a much stiffer and more powerful one that is shorter in length – probably between 5 and 6.5ft.

You need to be able to perform downward strokes to give the bait the best movement since they do not have a diving lip themselves, hence the requirement of a shorter, powerful rod.

Jerkbait Rods For Pike

Jigging rods

Jigging is similar to jerkbait fishing in that the action is conducted by the fisher where the lure is moved about to try to attract a predator.

With jigging, the rod is very important or else the whole process is compromised. It needs to have a fast action in order for you to be able to make the movement up and down about 12 inches. By fast action, the tip needs to very quickly recover its position without being stuff.

It needs to have a powerful butt section with a firm backbone in the middle to accommodate the jogs which will weigh about 40-50g.

The tip needs to flex so you do not lose your catch once on the hook and modulus carbon is a good material for this as it recovers its shape quickly.

Vertical jigging will be best achieved with a rod of about 6 to 6.5ft in length so you can do a sharp snapping action.

Canal Pike lure Fishing Light Set Up

Top Pike Casting Rods

Casting will remain one of the most important elements of your technique so the right rod is crucial. There are a few brands to choose from and we have selected a few below:  

Westin

With cutting edge technology, a Westin rod is great for predators. Their understanding of carbon and resin behaviours has enabled them to design rods that suit the action anglers require to land their prey. Not only do they incorporate the latest technologies in the rod itself, they also include the best fittings including Fuji guides and reel seats.

Savage Gear

After years of creating lures, Savage Gear have now perfected a range of rods to suit modern lure fishing. The sleek and stylish stealth design is accompanied by top of the range components to give enhanced power, feel and precision. These rods are one of the best available for pike fishing.

ABU Garcia

ABU Garcia offer affordable graphite rods, starting with an ultra-light 5.5ft model which is great for mini-lures and ranging up to suit 80g ones. Light and responsive carbon makes them a great choice without excessive cost so are suitable if you are just getting started.

Daiwa Prorex

Daiwa Prorex rods are well-known in the carp fishing world but now your pike fishing can benefit from the innovations from their Japanese rod construction technology. Light weight and crisp feel, they still maintain a sensitive tip action plus the nano technology delivers lightweight and stiff blanks with optimum resilience. Plus, you’ll be able to feel every movement in addition to a high-level casting performance.

So If you would like to try pike fishing before you purchase a rod specific to it, you could use a carp rod with a big weight lure.

However, if you are really keen to start pike fishing in earnest there are plenty of affordable options available which will give an enjoyable experience and fantastic results. If you wish to catch larger fish, opt for a heaving casting weight and larger lure to achieve this.

Consider jerkbait techniques to get a real sense of achievement too – just make sure you have the right rod and lures plus the equipment to land the fish and you will soon fall in love with pike fishing.

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