How to properly equip a spinning rod for pike fishing

Equipping a spinning rod for pike requires a special approach, the factors of which depend on the physiological characteristics of the fish, fishing conditions in its habitat and the bait on which the predator will be caught. For beginners and those mastering pike fishing, spinning is an effective tool with which you can really count on success. But the likelihood of a successful fishing trip largely depends on how competently the fisherman can assemble the spinning tackle for pike, thereby creating conditions for comfortable and rational fishing.

Our conversation will focus on the main issues of spinning rod configuration, assembly nuances and selection of the necessary parameters of equipment elements.

How to equip a spinning rod for pike fishing

Knowledge of the basic and universal configuration of the gear, as well as some nuances regarding the specific direction of fishing for the toothy predator, will help you correctly assemble a spinning rod for pike. A novice fisherman needs to collect his first gear based on the conditions that provide the opportunity to fish with various types of bait. This equipment feature will help you gain initial skills in using both the specialized fishing rod itself and various styles of bait fishing.

As you gain experience, you will be able to delve deeper into the topic and assemble highly targeted gear for a particular bait and its animation style. At this stage, we will focus on the specific collection of spinning equipment for pike for beginners.

Bait selection

1. During the pre-spawning or post-spawning period, the pike does not sort through the bait.
2. With the onset of summer and autumn, rotating and oscillating spoons are more suitable. For more serious places where hooks are possible, as well as fishing at depth, you should take wobblers, jig baits or “silicones”.

In the photo (from left to right):

• vibrator "Atom";
• the most common “castmaster”;
• wobbler "Minnow";
• popper;
• miniature "Minnow".

Selecting a spinning rod

A spinning rod for pike fishing must meet the requirement of low weight. After all, fishing of this type is characterized by a high level of dynamics, with constant re-casts and energetic work of the tackle during the retrieve.

First you need to purchase a composite or carbon-fiber spinning rod of plug-in design. The length of gear for fishing from coastlines of 2.7 meters will be the optimal parameter. If you plan to fish from a boat, then a range of 2.1–2.5 meters will allow you to cast with the best comfort. The semi-fast action makes it possible to practice the skill of retrieves with most types of pike lures, and this characteristic of the form will make hooking the trophy much more reliable than a slower action tackle. A test level of 10–30 grams will cover the entire range of the most suitable simulators for any fishing conditions.

Spinning fishing - methods

There are three main methods of fishing using spinning rods:

1. Fishing from the shore . This fishing method is considered the most common. This method gained its recognition mainly due to its easy accessibility for every person, because not many people have the opportunity to have a means of transportation on water, and in many reservoirs fishing from a boat is prohibited. Casting is much easier to do while standing on the shore from a convenient place. Although practically fishing is more productive in hard-to-reach places. Having made several casts of bait with a spinning rod and not detecting the presence of a pike in a given place, the fisherman easily moves to another place and continues the search for luck.
2. Fishing from a boat . Of course, the method of fishing with a spinning rod using a swimming device is the most convenient. It allows you to cast bait in almost all areas of the reservoir, catching pike both from the bottom and in mid-water and even on top. Using a boat is especially effective when fishing in the summer heat, when pike are located in deep places far from the shore. From a boat you can fish while at anchor, drifting with the current or “on the track.”
3. Trolling . This type of fishing is very similar to “track” fishing, when the bait moves behind the rowing device. The main difference is the use of motor boats or speedboats. You can place the bait along steep banks or along the river bed at any depth.

Coil selection

A spinning reel has long been considered a classic element of spinning equipment. An inexpensive and quickly mastered accessory is selected for the fishing rod, comparing its size and weight. The reel must have a friction brake that allows you to change the settings of the maximum force parameters and the volume of the spool that can accommodate one hundred meters of cord.

Important! When buying a mechanism, it is advisable to include a replaceable spool in its kit, which will give the novice fisherman the opportunity to practice his skills on different types of fishing line.

For pike fishing, a reel with a gear ratio of 1:5 is sufficient, and a spool size of 2000–3000 units is enough for optimal thicknesses of braided and monofilament cord in a hundred-meter volume. You should not rush to buy an expensive mechanism. You can also feel the work of the non-inertional system on a product in the mid-price range. The main thing is that the components of the transmission mechanism have a smooth motion, and that the material of the gears and shafts is made of metal alloys. Play in the handle and gaps in the body parts indicate poor quality assembly of the product, which is not worth purchasing.

Read more about choosing a reel for pike fishing.

Friction brake

Spinning pike fishing does not exclude the possibility of catching large specimens of predators, the presence of an adjustable friction brake in the mechanism will help cope with the resistance of which without breaking the tackle. The location of the function in the front part of the reel body makes it easier to adjust the force already in the process of playing the hooked fish, so it is recommended to initially pay attention to this nuance when purchasing. By holding the brake to the limit and applying force to the cord, the spool should stand dead in place. Gradually releasing the clutch and pulling the cord, the spool should slowly release the thread with the characteristic ringing sound of a ratchet.

How many bearings should there be in a reel?

The bearings of the mechanism make the inertia-free movement smooth and even without jerking or noticeable limp when turning the handle. But it’s not worth striving to stuff the inertia-free bearings with bearings. Firstly, this complicates the mechanism and requires high costs for its maintenance, and secondly, excess does not guarantee reliability, because these elements do not duplicate each other and the failure of one of them can negatively affect the operation of the entire product. To obtain stable skills, three bearings are sufficient, allowing the reel to smoothly transmit the movement of the handle to a set of toothed shafts and gears.

Pike places and seasons

1. With the onset of spring, somewhere in early March, pike begin to approach the shore, where peaceful fish are preparing to spawn. Practically, during the same period, the pike begins the pre-spawning period, when it begins to actively feed. You can detect a pike that has gone hunting by its characteristic splashes in shallow water, where it chases “trifles” in search of food.
2. When pike spawn, they do not take any bait, so you should not count on a catch.
3. With the onset of real summer heat, you can try catching pike again. During this period, the pike begins an ordinary, measured life, occupying convenient places to attack a potential victim. Such places can be various snags, rubble of flooded trees, dams, reed thickets, etc. In such places, the pike not only waits for its prey, but also feels safe.
4. As water temperatures begin to drop, pike become more active as they need nutrients to survive the winter.
5. Pike is caught well in windy, stormy weather.

Which fishing line to choose

The choice of fishing line affects the sensitivity of the equipment . When deciding on the material of the cord, they focus on the fishing distance and the demands of the bait in terms of scrupulous control over the parameters of its game. Braided lines are much stiffer than monofilament lines. The controllability of the bait and transmission of the bite signal when using braided line is higher than when using monofilament fishing line. At the same time, monofilament fishing line allows for more comfortable fishing, compensating for overloads with a high stretch coefficient.

Important! Monofilament is recommended for fishing at short distances and when working with fishing tools that do not require active animation of the angler.

Braided cord

It is believed that it is more practical to equip a spinning rod with a braided cord, since improved control of the bait and the small diameter with relatively high breaking loads of the material provide more advantages compared to monofilament, making the tackle more versatile. In pike fishing, braid with a diameter of 0.12 to 0.18 mm is used.

Important! The color design of the cord has a negligible effect on the success of fishing; basically, this parameter is convenient because it allows the fisherman to better track the process of wiring.

Beginner spinners are recommended to use bright, contrasting thread colors.

Fluorocarbon line

Fluorocarbon fishing line has even more rigid characteristics than braided line, but has low breaking loads. These qualities exclude the prerequisites for using this kind of cord as a basis. Spinners use fluorocarbon to make shock leaders, thereby meeting the needs of fishing on shell rocks and pebble bottoms, where braided line is inferior in reliability and is subject to severe abrasion. This technique helps to achieve reliability of the equipment without reducing the degree of control over the action of the bait.

Characteristics of a spinning rod

All modern spinning rods vary in length, test, class and action.

Spinning test

The test characteristics of the rod are considered basic. It is indicated in grams, which are applied to the body of the rod and determines the upper and lower limits of the mass of the bait used. There are several main classes. For example:

1. Light class (Light) – 5-15 grams.
2. Middle class (Medium) – 10-30 grams.
3. Heavy class (Heavy) – 20-50 grams.
4. Extra Heavy class – more than 50 grams.

In addition to the main classes, the following intermediate classes are noted:

1. Ultra Light class – 0-10 grams.
2. Medium Light class – 5-25 grams.
3. Medium Heavy class – 15-40 grams.

In general, it is recommended not to exceed the test limits. If all the baits are lighter than the lower limit, then it will be difficult to cast the bait over a significant distance, and if it weighs more than the upper limit, then it is unlikely that you will be able to control the bait during the retrieving process. In addition, baits that are heavier than indicated in the test can damage the rod. Mostly the tip breaks. Then it will be difficult to choose a tip for a specific rod.

Spinning rod length

Length is an equally important characteristic that can affect the performance of spinning fishing. Basically, the length of a rod is measured in meters, but if it is an American rod, then in feet and inches.

The length of the rod depends on several factors. For example:

• fishing conditions;
• spinning fishing techniques;
• casting distance.

When fishing from a shore overgrown with vegetation, it is better to opt for a short rod. The same rod is also suitable for fishing from a boat. Long rods are chosen when long casts are needed. This applies to large bodies of water with clean banks.

Spinning rod structure

Modern manufacturers of spinning rods produce rods of varying flexibility. This is due to the fact that different fishing conditions require different rods in terms of flexibility. For example, when fishing for perch, you need a light rod that is flexible enough to cast ultra-light lures far, and the ability to bend the rod blank, depending on specific conditions. In this regard, the following types of fishing rods are found:

• super-fast action blanks – only a quarter of the rod bends;
• fast action blanks – 50% of the rod bends;
• Slow action blanks - the rod bends almost completely.

Spinning rings

The design of the guide rings, the technology of their manufacture, as well as the quality of workmanship play an important role in its durability. In addition, the quality of the rings affects the wear of the fishing line. The rings are attached to the rod in such a way that this does not affect the reliability of the rod. The main material for making rings is silicon carbide. It is very important that the rings are well polished. If you use monofilament fishing line, the rings will last much longer. If you use braided fishing line, you need to take into account the fact that it has abrasive properties.

Spinning rod handle

The rod handle is the part of the rod with which the spinner is in constant contact. If the design of the handle is not well thought out, then fishing will not be as effective and comfortable. Usually the handle in a spinning rod is made of cork. This is a soft and at the same time lightweight material. In addition, he is pleasant when you come into contact with him. The length of the handle is not of fundamental importance, therefore, everyone has almost the same length. Somewhere in this area, there is a reel seat on the handle. So, its dimensions depend on its functional purpose.

Swivel

The swivel is one of the effective equipment elements that allows you to qualitatively equip a spinning rod for pike for fishing with rotating spoons. The use of spinners leads to twisting of the cord, which is especially noticeable when using braids. The introduction of a swivel directly onto the winding ring of the hunting accessory eliminates this trouble. When working with other baits, the swivel is not necessary for use; its role becomes useless, making installation only rougher.

Spinning lures

There are 3 main types of spinning baits:

• Silicone baits.
• Spoons.
• Wobblers.

Each type of bait requires its own approach to fishing technique. For spinners who have just begun to master the technique of spinning fishing, we can recommend the following baits:

1. Rotating spinners.
2. Silicone baits: vibrotails and twisters.
3. Oscillating spinners.

As for wobblers, their use requires special skills, which is not available to all spinners. In addition, catchable wobblers are expensive.

Attaching silicone baits

Silicone baits are quite often used in jig fishing techniques. For this purpose, special jig heads with hooks are produced.

All that remains is to connect the silicone bait and jig head together. At the same time, jig heads differ in weight, and therefore in size. In addition, the cargo can have different shapes. All jig heads and jig sizes must match the size of the bait.

There is also a flexible connection, when the load is attached to the bait using winding rings. This method of attachment allows you to get a more believable game of the bait.

Leash

A distinctive feature of pike fishing is the presence in the equipment of a metal leash that can withstand sharp pike teeth, which is not possible for the material of any main cord. When assembling a spinning rod for a large pike, pay attention not only to the material, but also to the length of the leash, using an element no shorter than 20 cm. Leashes are made of steel, tungsten and titanium. All these materials differ in their rigidity and also in price.

For example, steel leaders are rough but inexpensive. The tungsten leader is much softer, but it has a high price level. The use of a rough leash reduces the attractiveness of the equipment, making the play of baits cramped. The latest trends in pike fishing, which are striving for thinner rigs, have made it possible to use fluorocarbon and Kevlar as leader materials, which, of course, has had a positive effect on the increase in the number of bites. But only time-tested metal leashes provide high reliability against snacking.

Rigs and baits

Spoons. No special equipment is required for fishing using spinners.
They themselves are quite heavy, especially the “oscillators”, to additionally load the tackle. You just need to connect them to the leash through a swivel to avoid twisting the line. Carolina rig. With wobblers, silicone baits and jig baits, additional weight becomes a necessity. The most useful rig for pike is the Carolina rig. This is a sinker sliding along the main line, locked on a leader knot. Promotes snag-free wiring among algae.

Retractable leash. The second type of popular rig for pike fishing is the Moscow rig. But it is a little more prone to catching grass.

Retractable leash (Moscow equipment)

How to act against snags

1. It is useful to camouflage hooks for pike with feathers, but without excess, so as not to disturb the action of the bait.
2. In jig rigs, it is imperative to use offset hooks, which allow you to attach a silicone bait in such a way that the hook is hidden at the surface of the silicone. When biting, the sting easily reaches the target. But the equipment does not collect algae.

Carolina rig (Carolina rig) with twister on offset hook

The Texas rig is ideal for catching pike in very overgrown areas. It practically does not get caught due to the absence of leashes and the presence of an offset hook. It is also very maneuverable due to the constantly moving sliding sinker.

Video on proper knitting.

Tackle for pike fishing with spinning rod and bait according to the seasons

Depending on the season of the year, the behavior of the predator changes, the degree of its feeding activity either increases or decreases. In connection with these features, the equipment of a spinning rod for pike fishing is undergoing changes, expressed in the adjustment of rigs to the bait used. So that a novice spinning angler can fine-tune his tackle in the right direction, we will consider the annual fishing cycle in the context of using the most promising baits for the season.

Spring

Spring time is characterized by a surge in the activity of pike in the pre-spawning period, a time of no-biting during the spawning itself, a post-spawning glutton and the transition of the fish to a sedentary lifestyle with insignificant feeding activity. Spring is characterized by the use of small-sized baits with intense play in fishing. Crank-type wobblers and spinners fit these definitions. The distinctness of the play of these instruments provides the prerequisites for the use of nylon cords in equipment.

Summer

In the summer, the toothy one becomes capricious. The abundance of natural food available to the fish forces the fisherman to look for bait that most closely imitates the behavior of the fry. The rod's fast action coupled with thin braided line allows for the highly controlled animation required for minnows and topwater poppers. The use of this type of simulators in the summer season is a priority.

Autumn

The protracted period of the predator's autumn feeding period makes it possible to reduce the requirements for the quality of animation of baits. To increase the reliability of the equipment, you can use a medium-action rod without increasing the diameter of the braided cords. The sizes of baits are increased in the hope of catching large specimens of the trophy. Pike fishing gear in the fall may be coarser compared to equipment at other times. In the autumn, silicone baits, spinners and wobblers of various types are used.

Coil

Convenience is one of the factors why spinning is such a popular piece of equipment. For comfortable fishing, the reel must fit the rod perfectly. It is recommended to take a freewheel, but it is important not to cheap out and check the operation of the clutch in advance.

This reel is convenient, reliable, easy to use, and also has a fairly modest price tag. It is suitable for both experienced fishermen and beginners. A spinning reel is well suited for using light-weight lures.

The friction clutch will allow you to adjust the tension with high precision and catch even large and strong individuals.

When fishing for pike, the reel is selected according to the following parameters:

1. Spinning type. It is better to equip a light spinning rod with a blank weight of up to 15 g with a 2000 spool, and heavier options will require at least three thousand.
2. The friction mechanism and its location are selected depending on what is more convenient for the fisherman
3. The reduction should be 1 to 5.

If the selected reel meets all the above conditions, then even using a thin line, the fisherman can fish out large specimens that resist far beyond the breaking load.

A good reel will allow you to lay the fishing line efficiently. Proper placement will make it possible to make long casts, which is especially important during autumn fishing, when the pike goes under snags and remaining thickets of vegetation.

Line winding types:

1. cylindrical
2. reverse cone
3. straight cone

An important condition for any winding is uniformity. The line should go from one edge to the other. It is recommended to have a spare spool with you. For experienced fishermen, a baitcasting reel is suitable.

Powerful and sensitive, it is good at jerking, twitching or jigging. Another advantage is that it does not tend to twist the line. It is not necessary to immediately take the most expensive option. Often the high price does not justify the quality.

A large number of different options in such a reel can confuse a novice angler. It is better to take a more modest model that will allow you to make uniform winding. For a multiplier reel, you need a special type of spinning rod called a “casting rod”. The complexity of installation is more suitable for experienced fishermen.

How to properly equip a spinning rod for pike

In continuation of the article, we will present to the novice spinning angler a detailed algorithm of actions for simple and easy assembly of the fishing rod. Following these simple recommendations, the assembled tackle will be a comfortable and reliable tool in the process of pike hunting.

Attaching the reel to the spinning rod

The reel is attached and mounted to the butt of the rod through special threaded clamps.

Important! The inertia-free fastening bracket must fit tightly, but without tension, into the fastening grooves. Also, when seating the fastening leg, no play is allowed.

After installing the bracket into the grooves, the clamping is carried out using a worm gear until the fastening element of the butt rests on the leg of the mechanism.

Winding line

Having secured the reel, proceed to winding the selected cord. The tip of the cord is pulled into the winding rings of the rod, starting with the smallest one, located on the quiver tip of the tackle. Having folded the line guide of the spool, the cord is tied to its base. Next, having created tension on the cord, they begin winding, turning the reel at medium speed. The tension allows you to lay the line evenly and without overlaps, which in turn has a positive effect on the unhindered flow of the line and the casting distance of the bait. Thread tension can be created by passing the cord through the pages of a thick book.

Important! After winding the fishing line, there should not be a gap of more than 2 mm to the edge of the spool.

If the thickness of the cord is not enough to ensure this condition, backing is placed on the spool, a material that reduces the presence of free volume.

Connection of fishing line and leash

It is recommended to connect these equipment elements using straight knitting. Since the required leash length is selected immediately before fishing, replacing this accessory during fishing is not required. Carabiners and fasteners will ultimately reduce the delicacy of the equipment, without bringing any practical benefit for the convenience of working with the equipment.

The easiest and most reliable way to connect the leash to the main cord is with uni, clinch or polomar knots. Soft fluorocarbon leaders are connected using the loop-to-loop method.

Mounting the bait

The baits are connected through additional fasteners. This principle allows you not to waste time on the required frequent changes of bait when choosing the most suitable option for fishing conditions. Silicone is placed on hooks with stationary jig heads or hinged weights with fastening loops, through which the baits are connected to the cord fastener. Spoons and wobblers can be attached using winding rings. This operation, although much more complicated than fastening with a fastener, has a lesser effect on the play of baits and the delicacy of the tackle, which is not so important when fastening a jig bait, the animation of which directly depends on the actions of the spinning player himself.

Useful tips

1. All spinners started with the first cast, so you shouldn’t be afraid. To begin with, it is better to work on the casting technique, and only then move on to catching fish. The success of fishing depends on the accuracy of casting, which comes with time.
2. You shouldn’t throw your spinning rod anywhere, but look for promising places. And promising places are in difficult places where snags are possible.
3. After throwing the bait, you need to wait a little so that it penetrates into the water column, if the depth allows. It is during this pause that the pike can attack the bait.
4. Pike have very sharp teeth, so don't take any risks. It is better to free the pike from the bait using a special device.

Igor 05.11.2016

Bait

It is better to start catching pike with the following baits:

1. Silicone fish. For example, a small vibrating tail or twister.
2. Spinning spoons number one or two.
3. Wobbler. For beginners, the Minnow wobbler up to five centimeters in size is an ideal option.

Start your first fishing with these species. Over time, you will understand which one is more convenient for you to fish with and which type of bait gives the best results.

Once you gain experience, you can use other baits. For example, oscillations, spinners and larger wobblers, spinnerbaits.

Spinning line

For spinning rods, the following types of fishing line are used:

• monofilament;
• wicker

Each of these varieties is used for a specific fishing method.

Monofilament nylon fishing line is used when fishing with ultralight baits, various spinners, and small wobblers. The cross-section of the fishing line used ranges from 0.18-0.2 mm to 0.3-0.4 mm.

Stiffer braid is used in jigging, twitching, and trolling fishing. The cross-section of the cords used ranges from 0.08-0.1 to 0.2-0.3 mm.

Leash for spinning

To prevent the teeth of a predator from rubbing the fishing line or cord when fishing in spinning gear, leashes are often used.

Based on the material of manufacture, they are distinguished:

• steel – classic hard and durable leashes;
• tungsten - thin, strong and flexible cables woven from small tungsten threads (fibers);
• fluorocarbon – leashes made of fluorocarbon fishing line that is almost invisible in water.

Spinning lures

All spinning lures, depending on the design, material of manufacture, characteristics of behavior in water, and the types of wiring used for them, are divided into:

• spinners are metal baits whose working part is a petal made of copper, brass, or stainless steel rotating around its axis or oscillating. To weight the bait, sinkers are used, placed in front of the petal or on the central axis of rotation. The spoons are equipped with double or triple hooks;
• jig baits are baits of various shapes and sizes made from silicone that imitate a fry, an aquatic insect, or its larva when moving in the water. The working part of such baits can be an elastic tail, thread-like tentacles and other moving elements. Some jig baits do not have moving parts and require special wiring;
• wobblers are artificial baits made from special plastic or wood that imitate fish, beetles, and frogs in shape and behavior in water. They are distinguished by the degree of buoyancy, body shape, size and color.

Connection of fishing line and leash

There are three ways to attach a leash to the main line of a spinning rod:

• a metal twist leash or a fluorocarbon leash can be connected using the loop-to-loop method;
• you can tie the main line to the leash with any reliable knot - palomar, uni or clinch are good for this;
• You can make a loop at the end of the main line and secure the leash in it using a swivel or a winding ring.

Line selection

The best choice for catching pike with a spinning rod is braided fishing line . Most often, cords with a breaking load of 6.5-7.5 kg are used. Such braids are suitable for hunting pike weighing up to 5 kg . If you plan to catch small fish, you can use cords with dough of about 4-4.5 kg. To hunt for trophy pike weighing 7-8 kilograms or more, you must use braided fishing line with a breaking load of 10 kg .

Which fishing line to choose for spinning for pike