The spoon for pike remains a rudimentary but formidable lure and, above all, a must-have. We've tested many models over the years, and we can confirm that this lure is still terribly effective. Here is our selection of 3 essential spoons for pike fishing A complete guide to choosing and using this lure wisely.
Our article in brief:
The spoon remains an essential lure for anyone wishing to fish for pike. Here are the key points to remember:
- Two main types of spoon: The rippling spoon and the swivel spoons. Each with its own advantages and disadvantages
- Recommended sizes and colours : between 15 and 55 grams. Choose silver, gold or neon colours.
- A wide range of events: linear, jerky or tensile recovery
- Adapt your lure and animation to the fishing conditions
The different types of spoons for pike fishing
There are two main categories of spoon that are particularly well-suited to tracking fish pike the rippling spoons and the swivel spoons.
The wobbling spoon is a spoon with an elongated and slightly curved shape enabling it to swim with sinuous and very erratic movements when retrieved. The purpose of this swimming action is to imitate a wounded fish to perfection, triggering curiosity and even an attack from a fish. pike . We particularly appreciate their versatility, as they can be animated in different ways:
- Classic linear recovery
- In jerky animation with successive shots
- Traction animation
The spinning spoon, on the other hand, is a spoon that has the particularity of having a rotating blade that turns around its axis. This rotation creates vibrations and reflections that often trigger the aggressiveness of the pike . Their action is smoother than that of undulators, making them an excellent choice for rapidly prospect large stretches of water.
Rapala Nauvo: A wobbling spoon for pike
The Rapala Nauvo is a wobbling spoon that is emblematic of the pike . This updated pike spoon has a very realistic and ample action on a regular retrieve. On the other hand, when the retrieve is quicker, more erratic movements appear, breaking the rhythm and adding flash. On the retrieve, the butterflying and rolling action increases the attraction tenfold.
With its metal body, this rippling spoon is versatile, effective and long-lasting. So much for the Rapala Nauvo in our opinion, is one of the best spoons for the pike of the market.
MEPPS Giant Marabou : A classic spoon for pike fishing
The MEPPS Giant Marabou has been on the market for some time. For the time being, we feel it is unrivalled by its competitors.
It is equipped with a very large "Colorado" type pallet and moves a lot of water thanks to it. But the secret of this spinning spoon is its teaser, a kind of pompom made from hair, located on its weaponry.
Strike King Sexy Spoon
We also like to fish with the Sexy Spoon by Strike King. This wobbling spoon, which is more streamlined than its cousins, has a very gliding action and a silhouette that catches the eye of nearby pike. We particularly like fishing with this spoon at pike in traction in pits or deep areas. All you have to do is let it sink to the bottom, pull it up sharply for at least a metre, then accompany it on its swift descent. Attacks very often occur during the descent.
Choosing the right size and colour of spoon
Choose the right size and colour for your spoon for the pike is essential to optimise your fishing. For the pike we recommend opting for large models, between 15 and 55 grams. These imposing lures match the size of the pike's natural prey and allow long-distance casting.
As far as colours are concerned, our experience has shown that certain shades stand out in particular:
- Silver
- Golden
- Red dots
- Fluorescent orange
- Fluorescent yellow
Here is a summary table of recommended sizes and colours according to fishing conditions:
| Condition | Recommended size | Recommended colour |
|---|---|---|
| Clear water | 15-30g | Silver, gold |
| Cloudy water | 30-55g | Fluorescent orange, fluorescent yellow |
| A sunny day | 20-40g | Silver with red dots |
| Overcast | 25-55g | Gold, fluorescent orange |
How do you animate your pike spoon?
The way you animate your spoon can make all the difference between a fruitless day and a memorable session. Here are the different animations that have proved particularly effective for pike fishing:
- Linear recovery Simple but effective, this animation involves bringing the spoon back at a constant speed. Don't be afraid to vary the retrieval speed to find the one that triggers the hits.
- Jerky animation: The aim of this animation is to imitate a wounded fish. Alternate sideways strokes while slowly retrieving the reel.
- Traction This animation is very effective in deep water. All you have to do is jerk the rod upwards, then let the spoon drop back down again while controlling its fall. Attacks often occur during the descent phase.
During a session on the large Alpine lakes, we found that pull-fishing was particularly effective at triggering pike aggression, even on difficult days when other lures were ineffective.
Don't hesitate to vary your events throughout the day. Pike can change their behaviour depending on various factors such as light, water temperature or atmospheric pressure.
A flexible approach will enable you to adapt to these changes and optimise your chances of capture.
All in all, the spoon remains a timeless and formidably effective lure for pike fishing. This lure is as versatile as ever and still gets just as many hits. Perhaps even more than before, as anglers are using it less. Pike are less and less used to it. Even in difficult conditions, any pike spoon will be a precious ally that should not be overlooked.
