Pike fishing with lures is an exciting and varied technique. As a result, it attracts many anglers, both novice and experienced. Pike fishing with lures allows you to target this fearsome fish in all the environments in which it lives and to adapt to its behaviour at any given time. We offer you a complete guide to pike fishing with lures, the different techniques and tips for luring the king of freshwater.
Our article in brief
Pike fishing with lures is an exciting technique. However, it requires technique and the right equipment. Here are the key points to remember:
- Choice of lures For pike fishing, we'll be concentrating on shad-type soft lures, swimming fish such as jerkbaits or drankbaits and metal lures such as spinnerbaits or chatterbaits.
- Animation techniques : Master at least linear, stop & go, jerking and twitching.
- Location : Give priority to fishing grass beds, edges and obstacles
- The equipment Take a powerful rod (MH to H), a suitable reel (3500 for spinning, 300 for casting) and a strong line body.
- Be patient
Choosing the right lures for pike fishing
As you can imagine, there is a wide variety of lures for pike fishing. Each has its own conditions and techniques. Here are the main categories of lures.
Soft lures
The soft lures are particularly effective for pike. They imitate the natural movement of prey perfectly, attracting the attention of pike. We recommend models between 10 and 20 cm to target large specimens. Here is a selection of 10 soft lures for pike fishing:
- Wolfcreek Shad The best pike shad for slow fishing
- Svartzonker Mc Rubber The best pike soft lure for durability
- Fox Rage Replicant The best soft lure for pike, already pre-armed
- Illex Dexter shad One of the best soft lures for tracking record-breaking pike
- Biwaa Divinator The best paddle shad
- Megabass Spark Shad
- CWC Miuras Mouse : The revelation of recent years
- Deps Sakamata shad The best finesse soft lure for pike
- Illex Dunkle 7 : A versatile pike soft lure
- Fox Rage Pro Grub : The best flexible pike lure in the grub category
Swimming fish
The swimming fish are another essential category. These hard lures are perfect for imitating the small fish that pike feed on. Their erratic swimming action often triggers the hunting instinct of this carnivore.
Here is a selection of 10 swimming fish for pike fishing :
- Buster Jerk : The benchmark for pike jerkbait
- DEPS Evoke 4.0 : an XXL crankbait for record-breaking pikes
- OSP Rudra : a jerkbait designed for pike
- DEPS Slide Swimmer : swimbait for large pikes
- Megabass Vision 110 : A classic among classics
- OSP Blitz Max DR : A deep crankbait perfect for pike
- Lucky Craft BFreeze : a sure thing
- Sammy 100 from Lucky Craft: The benchmark surface lure for pike
- River2Sea Whopper Plopper A UFO not to be missed
- Megabass Pop Max A popper not to be overlooked on pike
Metal lures
Let's not forget the spinnerbaits and the chatterbaits. These are particularly effective in turbid waters or congested areas. Their vibration and flash attract pike even in conditions of reduced visibility. These lures are also ideal for scouting areas quickly and targeting active fish in the area.
Here are 3 references we would recommend:
- Deps B-Custom A slow rolling spinnerbait for pike
- Fox Rage Pike Spinnerbait
- Z-Man/Evergreen Jack Hammer : Probably the best chatterbait on the market
Finally, the spoonsPike lures, whether spinning or undulating, are still great value for money when it comes to pike fishing. Their ease of use and effectiveness make them popular lures with beginners and experts alike.
Here is a summary table of lure types and their main characteristics:
| Type of lure | Recommended size | Terms and conditions of use |
|---|---|---|
| Soft lure | 10-20 cm | Versatile, effective in congested areas |
| Swimming fish | 10-15 cm | Clear water, perfect imitation of prey |
| Spinnerbait / Chatterbait | 1/2 oz - 1 oz | Power fishinf, turbulent waters, seagrass areas |
| Spoon | 8-12 cm | Versatile, effective in deep water |
Entertainment for pike fishing
Each type of lure requires a specific technique and animation to optimise its effect on pike. Here are a few examples:
For the soft lureswe often opt for an animation simple linear or stop & go. This animation simply consists of animating your lure constantly, then stopping it for a short pause. This simple but highly effective animation often attracts the curiosity of pike, allowing them to follow your lure at a leisurely pace and to attack it often during the pause periods.
For the swimming fish like jerkbaitsYou can animate these with what are known as twitches. These are quick taps interspersed with short pauses. This action imitates perfectly a small disorientated fish, easy to attack by an ambushing pike. As for the crankbaitIf you prefer, you can simply fish in a straight line at varying retrieve speeds.
Pike fishing in buzzing is particularly effective with spinnerbaits close to the surface or buzzbaits on the surface, especially in shallow, warm water. This animation creates a noise and swirls at the surface, attracting the attention of stalking pike.
Where to start lure fishing for pike?
Pike is a fish that is particularly fond of seagrass beds, the borders and the obstacles such as submerged trees or rocks. These areas provide both shelter and a hunting ground. You should therefore focus your efforts on these areas, giving priority to areas such as :
- Reed borders
- Everything falling close to the shore
- Transition zones between shallow and deep waters
- All water inlets or river mouths flowing into lakes
The discretion is essential when approaching these spots. Pike are very sensitive to vibrations and sudden movements. Avoid making noise by walking heavily on the banks or dropping your tackle.
The use of polarised glasses can greatly improve your ability to spot spots and follow your lure through the water.
Optimal equipment for pike fishing with lures
The right equipment is the key to successful pike fishing. Here are the essential elements to consider:
The cane : Go for a powerful rod, of course. We ideally go for rods between 2.10m and 2.40m, MH to H with a fast action. This type of rod will enable you to cast far and strike effectively.
The reel Opt for a casting or spinning reel in the 3000 to 4000 size range. This type of reel offers a good compromise between line capacity and manoeuvrability.
The line body : For pike fishing, we use 20 to 30 lb braid in most cases. Its sensitivity will enable you to detect even the most subtle bites.
The leader A fluorocarbon of about 80 centimetres and a minimum strength of 60/100 will protect your main line from the sharp teeth of pike.
Don't forget the essential accessories:
- A wide-mesh landing net
- Unhooking pliers
- A wire cutter
- Waders for access to difficult positions
Pike fishing with lures is an art that combines technique, knowledge of the environment and a judicious choice of tackle. By applying these tips and adapting to the specific conditions of your fishing ground, you will significantly increase your chances of success. Don't forget that practice and experience are your best allies in this exciting quest for the most emblematic fish of our French waters.
