This type of bait provokes an attack and looks like a wounded hunting object. It is not easy to lure a predator out of its hiding place in winter; an imitation of a small fish makes movements, describing a figure eight, luring it. The best balancers for pike are suitable for winter fishing; they also work for perch and pike perch. Reliable hooks and a tee on the belly of the bait reliably fix the fish and prevent it from falling off. The right choice is the main condition for successful fishing.
Rapala Jigging Rap W07-GT
pros
- additional single hooks
- universal form
- suitable for different conditions
- attractive bright color
- quality materials
Minuses
- price
From 475 ₽
The rating of balancers for pike puts it among the leaders, according to reviews from experienced fishermen. The bait is universal, suitable for both winter and summer. Made of high quality material that does not break or crumble, so the weight is above average. The color attracts the attention of predators, imitates real fish and is not annoying. Can be used at great depths, in thickets and near snags. It produces a figure eight well and is mobile under water. It is catchy, but, according to fishermen, they do not catch large species of pike.
How to choose a balancer for pike
A balancer is a bait for fishing with spinning rods and winter fishing rods that looks like a white fish fry. The peculiarity of this bait is that it balances when retrieved vertically and, thanks to this, attracts the attention of predatory fish.
When you swing the fishing rod, the balancer “scours” in the water, and during a pause it returns to its original position. The small size of the balancers and sharp hooks in the head and tail, as well as a tee in the abdominal part, ensure reliable hooking of pike or pike-perch with perch.
The tail of the bait is made of plastic or wool. The body is narrow or wide, as if flattened. Narrow balancers fish small areas when moving, but flattened ones “walk” widely in the water column, drawing circles and figure eights, attractive to a predator going hunting.
Most often, the pike attacks the balancer from the tail part and is caught with the rear hook and tee. Replacing plastic plumage with fur increases the attractiveness and therefore the catchability of the bait, but the sharp teeth of the pike quickly tear it off.
When fishing for perch or pike perch, the color of the balancer does not play a decisive role; these predators react more to the animation of the bait. But in pike fishing, color is much more important and bright artificial fish show the best results . This must be taken into account when reducing the intensity of the bite and “play” with the colors of the balancers used.
Choosing a catchable bait is one of the main conditions for successful fishing for a predator, and this applies not only to pike fishing. When using balancers, the process is simplified, especially since the design of the gear allows you to quickly change baits in the absence of a bite. For perch, small balancers are chosen, but for pike perch fishing, models of medium size and weight are preferable.
Pike balancers are the largest in size, regardless of what size fish you intend to catch. Even small pike greedily take a large bait, swallowing it almost completely, often across. Thanks to this style of biting, the predator is reliably caught with hooks, but more often with a tee. Experienced fishermen replace standard tees on balancers with larger ones so that the fish are guaranteed to be caught after a bite.
Tees are additionally decorated with beads or shiny lurex thread to increase their attractiveness.
Unlike zander or perch, pike balancers are brightly colored, because the visual appeal of the bait plays a big role. Pike sees perfectly even from a long distance and willingly “goes” to bright artificial fish.
In muddy water, yellow or white balancers are visible better, and it is good if the color contains a red color, reminiscent of a wound.
The same applies to the size of the bait; for pike, balancers with a length of 7 centimeters are used. This does not mean that a predator will not bite or will not be detected on a bait 3-4 centimeters long, it’s just that a large bait will cut off small perch , of which there are much more in the reservoir. A small predator is quicker and more reckless, so without hesitation it attacks a bait that is too tough for it, but will not be tempted by a large balancer.
Fishermen reduce the size of pike balancers only in the absence or decrease in the bite rate, but even in this case they try not to use baits smaller than 5 cm, cutting off the small things.
Targeted fishing for winter pike is rarely complete without perch or pike perch as bycatch, but large baits also increase the size of the catch.
Large balancers are also good because they weigh more, which means they sink faster to greater depths, to the holes next to which are the fish’s favorite spots.
Important! For lazy and inactive pike, lures with a fur tail work better.
Lucky John LJME57-216
pros
- vibration dynamics can be adjusted
- you can control the range of motion
- durable, fin and body are one piece
- Japanese development
- movable and durable
Minuses
- the rear tee can catch on the fishing line
From 418 ₽
Developed by Japanese specialists. There are three holes on the upper fin, depending on which of them the fishing line is attached to, the balancer moves differently. The fish sees it well, it is made of durable lead. There are no additional single hooks, it does not cling to the edge of the ice. According to reviews, the line can be wound onto the triple hook of the rear fin. Good game, works great in cloudy weather for predatory fish.
Namazu "ExpertModel"
pros
- the game is sharp and provoking the predator
- high-quality paintwork
- realistic bulging eyes
- easy
- attracts from long distances
- forged tee-traffic light
Minuses
- not found
From 198 RUR
The balancer has a narrow, elongated shape with a sharp nose. Thanks to this, it moves sharply, attracts fish at depth, and works great in the current. Good shape and light weight make for an interesting game for the predator. It features a forged hook with multi-colored beads, which additionally seduces pike. It moves in amplitude, smoothly enough to be noticed from great distances.
Tactics for catching pike on a balance beam
Having identified a promising location, we proceed to drilling a series of 10 - 20 holes from the shore into depth. This must be done immediately so as not to frighten the fish later by drilling the ice, since pike are very wary of noise. The holes should be darkened, sprinkled with snow or slush, or covered with special lids.
After drilling, you can let the holes “rest” and start fishing from the first hole, usually from the shore. You should move and behave on ice as silently as possible.
Each hole is fished for 5 - 10 minutes, if there are no bites, we move to the next hole. When a hole with a noticeable difference in depth is found, a new series of holes can be made along this difference. If a hole is found with a snag or other anomaly at the bottom, we make several holes around the perimeter.
If a pike is caught on a balance beam, you should try to understand why in this particular place.
Rapala Jigging Rap W07-GLP
pros
- wide lateral amplitude of play
- suitable for depth
- not afraid of the current
- suitable for beginners
- seduces inactive fish
Minuses
- price
From 475 ₽
A manufacturer proven over the years, high-quality materials and assembly. The balancer sinks quickly, is comfortable to play, and fits almost all types of fishing rods. The hooks are soldered tightly, the tee can be changed using tools. Fishes well at depth and attracts inactive fish. There are different colors, according to reviews, it gives a rich catch.
Lucky John LJME57-201
pros
- good game
- paint does not fall off if damaged
- three mounting methods
- long tail, clear turn
- no single hooks
- design avoids snagging
Minuses
- not found
From 420 ₽
The model completes the TOP 5 best balancers for pike in winter. It does not have single hooks, the rear one is replaced with a triple one, which is constantly in motion. The balance beam does not cling to the ice, it is more effective in shallow water. Suitable for active and passive large fish, the latter are attracted by the lower tee. The body and tail are integrated, preventing breakage. Sturdy construction, naturalistic eyes, variety of colors.
Rating of the best balancers for pike
The best balancers for pike
The rating of the best catchable balancers for pike is compiled in accordance with the opinions and reviews of anglers regarding these baits. The rating mainly includes time-tested balancers, but there are also new products.
#1 Rapala Jigging Rap W07
Rapala Jigging Rap W07 is a fairly large balancer, 70 mm long and weighing 18 grams. The balancer catches not only pike, but also perch and pike perch. Designed for fishing at medium depths. It has a moderately sweeping action, so it is suitable for fishing in “strong” places with a snagged bottom and underwater vegetation. Always occupies the top positions of the best balancers for pike in our and foreign ratings.
#2 Nils Master Nisa 50
Nils Master Nisa 50 is a medium-sized pike balancer with a voluminous head and a teardrop-shaped body, which has two side fins that make the game more stable, and thanks to which, from above, the balancer resembles the shape of a stingray. Nisa 50 is 50 mm long and weighs 12 grams. Suitable for catching pike at shallow depths of up to 3 meters. This shallow water balancer comes in a variety of colors, including glow-in-the-dark ones.
#3 Scorana ICE FOX 55 mm
Scorana ICE FOX 55 mm is a balancer with stable play in any conditions - it works in currents and in still water, at great depths and in shallow water. It is considered the best balancer for pike during the deep winter, when the pike is not too active and ignores other baits. With a length of 5.5 cm, the balancer weighs 10 grams.
#4 Lucky John Pro Series “Mebaru” 67 mm
Lucky John Pro Series “Mebaru” 67 mm is a balancer designed for large pike. With a weight of 18 grams and a length of 6.7 cm, the balancer gains the ability to work at medium and large depths. The Mebaru balancer has a brass dorsal fin with three mounting holes. Depending on which of these three holes the balancer is attached to, its “center of gravity” and the nature of the game change – from diving to sweeping. Practice shows that he is good at catching not only pike, but also pike perch and large perch.
#5 Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro 75 mm
Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro 75mm balancer is an improved version of the previous Tasapaino balancer. Now it has a monolithic design. This is a universal balancer that shows excellent results on pike, perch, pike perch and bass. The weight of the balancer is only 13 grams with a length of 75 mm. It is suitable for fishing in deep water and weak currents, and also works in medium depths and shallow waters. This balancer is characterized by different types of play and the ability to fish in areas inaccessible to other balancers.
#6 Lucky John Classic 6
Lucky John Classic 6 is a time-tested balancer for pike. With a length of 60 mm, the balancer weighs 16.5 grams, which allows it to be used at great depths in still water or weak currents. It has a wide, sweeping game that can attract pike from afar. Suitable for catching passive predators.
#7 Strike Pro Challenger Ice 50
Strike Pro Challenger Ice 50 - balancers for catching pike and other predatory fish at medium and great depths. The balancers of this line have an elongated pot-bellied body. The weight of this is 22.7 grams with a length of 50 mm. It has a wide, sweeping game that attracts predators from long distances.
#8 Karismax Koko 2
The Karismax Koko 2 is a 7 cm long, 23 gram weight balancer with an excellent reputation and proven ability to catch pike when other balancers won't. Suitable for catching spotted predators at medium depths. One of the best balancers for pike!
#9 Nils Master Baby Shad
Nils Master Baby Shad are balancers with an unusual design and vertical play. The game of this balancer is very similar to the movements of a wounded fish, which makes the pike think that in front of it is an easy prey. The model has a body length of 5 cm with a weight of 8 grams. Suitable for catching pike at shallow depths.
#10 AQUA TRAPPER 7
AQUA TRAPPER 7 balancers have a narrow long body weighing 13 grams and a length of 72 mm. The parameters of the balancer allow you to catch pike or other fish at great depths and in medium currents. The balance bar has a wide, pronounced play even with a weak pull. The catchability of the balancer is confirmed by many only positive reviews.
