Fishermen are passionate people and are ready to go fishing at any time of the year, in the hope of catching the fish of their dreams. One of the most interesting types of fishing is considered to be fishing for pike with a spinning rod, because the toothy beauty gives a real fight to the angler when fishing. The larger the trophy, the more difficult it is to find its resting place, pick up a catchy bait and patiently wait for a powerful bite.
But even the most serious obstacles are not a hindrance for a real fisherman, and he is ready to improve his skills in order to return with a catch from each session. Another advantage of pike fishing is that both when fishing from the shore and from a boat, the session lasts throughout the daylight hours, and not several days, as is the case with carp fishermen.
Pike is a predatory fish that feeds on live food and its parking spots are not at all easy to find. To catch a trophy, the fisherman needs to be careful when studying the reservoir, be able to correctly analyze the behavior of the fish and find a way to outwit it.
If previously the main goal of fishing was to catch as many fish as possible, now many fishermen adhere to the catch/release principle in order to preserve nature and the riches of its ichthyofauna. There is no clear answer to the question of how to catch pike with a spinning rod and achieve a trophy on every fishing trip, but this is its main advantage.
Tackle
Since pike feeds on live fish, it has to move throughout the entire reservoir in search of prey. That is, it will not be possible to lure it to one place with the help of tasty-smelling bait and you have to actively search in the most secluded places.
Properly selected gear, effective baits, and catchy fishing plays a big role in success in pike fishing. Pike fishing tackle consists of:
- spinning;
- coils;
- monofilament fishing line or braided cord that is wound onto the spool of the reel;
- a leash capable of withstanding the onslaught of the sharpest teeth of a pike;
- a hook on which a silicone bait is put, or baits with hooks.
This is a general list of equipment elements, and the result of a fishing session depends on the correct choice of each of them. The good thing about fishing is that until now even the most experienced fishermen have not been able to find a universal tackle or bait that pike will always bite on, both on a stormy river and on a lake.
So during the session, if there is no bite, you have to change both spinning rods and bait, depending on the fishing conditions. In addition, pike are caught:
- from the shore;
- from the boat
in each case, the optimal gear is selected, which is convenient for working on the reservoir and achieving the desired result.
Criteria for choosing a spinning rod
When fishing from the shore, you have to cast the tackle over a long distance and do this more conveniently with a long spinning rod, but the peculiarities of pike fishing also need to be taken into account. For coastal fishing on a large river or lake, a spinning rod with a length of 2.7 to 3 meters is suitable; this length is enough to throw the bait to the places where the treasured trophy stands.
Casting with a spinning rod is done from an open place, because tree branches hanging over the water will interfere with fishing. For fishing on small rivers, spinning rods with a length of 2.1 to 2.4 meters are used; they are more convenient to work with, and they do not require too long casts.
When going pike fishing from a boat, they choose spinning rods with a length of 1.6 to 2.1 meters, because it is inconvenient to work with a rod that is too long in such conditions, and there are practically no long casts. On a boat, you can quietly get close to the pike’s anchorage and throw bait “under its nose,” even with short spinning rods. In this case, general recommendations for choosing the length of the spinning rod are given, but it also plays a role:
- system;
- weight of the form;
- test;
- bait weight;
- wiring used;
- estimated weight of the trophy.
There is no universal spinning rod for pike fishing and each fisherman has different rods in his arsenal, and selection is carried out for specific conditions. The main tasks of pike spinning rods are:
- the ability to throw bait of a certain weight to the fishing point;
- clear and confident hooking of the trophy;
- safe and comfortable fishing, because on a large pike the delicate spinning rod can break.
Heavy baits can be cast with almost any spinning rod, but there are problems with light ones. And not every form can make a confident mark. Experienced fishermen are able to hook and comfortably fish out a large pike using a light spinning rod, but this requires dexterity and the ability to drop the line in time.
The spinning test is selected depending on the weight of the baits used, and the more accurate the match, the more convenient it will be for the fisherman. If you plan to use light baits weighing 10 grams, then a spinning rod with a dough of 5-15 grams will be optimal. The average test results should correspond exactly to the weight of the bait.
This does not mean that it is impossible to throw a bait weighing 10 grams with a spinning rod with a dough of 15-25 grams, but doing so will be very inconvenient, and the catch is unlikely to please the angler. You need to understand that the test values for each form are average indicators, although you have to rely on them.
Not every spinner, especially an amateur, understands what the structure of a pike spinning rod should be. In fact, the structure of the blank is important if you plan to actively fish with jerk-type baits. Twitching with wobblers or jerking with walkers is more convenient to do on spinning rods with a rigid action, because every movement of the angler should immediately be transmitted to the bait and change its “game”. But for jig fishing, the sensitivity of the blank is more important, and with this type of fishing it is better to use spinning rods of medium and even slow action, that is, softer ones.
It is easier to accurately and confidently hook a pike with a spinning rod with a rigid action, but fishing, especially a large trophy, is more convenient with a medium and slow action blank. Here again we have to talk about the absence of a universal spinning rod as such, because fishing conditions can differ fundamentally.
Spinning reel
If choosing a spinning rod for pike is not so easy, then choosing reels is even more difficult, because it is difficult to understand the variety of offers in a wide price range. Anglers should understand that the correct choice of a spinning reel determines the convenience of casting and confidence when landing, especially large fish. There are many models of spinning reels on the market from the most famous manufacturers to Chinese “no names”.
A novice spinning fisherman should not purchase the most expensive reels, at least until he understands all the intricacies of pike fishing. Only after this, consciously, will he be able to select the most suitable, reliable and functional reel that will last for many years. You should not pay attention to annoying advertising, because each angler has his own experience and fishing conditions, and the choice of reel also depends on this.
In general, spinning reels are:
- inertialess;
- multipricatory;
- inertial, drum type.
The first type of reel is the most common on the market and, indeed, these are universal products for catching different types of fish. Spinning reels are convenient when using either monofilament line or braided cord. They guarantee reliability and comfort in operation, the absence of “beards” during casting and the absence of line overlaps.
Multiplier reels are distinguished by the fact that they have a closed body and thanks to this, it is easier for the angler to make an accurate cast. In addition, the design of the body ensures that there are no line overlaps or “beards” on it. The multiplier reel has high traction characteristics and is therefore especially popular in sea fishing, although it can also be used when fishing for pike.
Inertia reels were the “pioneers” of spinning fishing, but are now rarely used, because inertia-free reels have a number of advantages. Practical skills in using drum-type inertial reels can only be obtained after long-term use. But there is no point in experimenting with less convenient equipment for an angler if he can comfortably fish with spinning reels.
A spinning reel for pike fishing is selected based on:
- spool size;
- gear ratio;
- number of bearings;
- body material;
- the presence of a friction brake;
- cost.
In spinning pike fishing, reels with spools with a diameter of 500-3000 are used, this is quite enough for comfortable casting of tackle and fishing for the heaviest trophy. Some anglers believe that the larger the spool, the more powerful the reel, but this is not entirely true, especially since using a massive reel with a light blank is inconvenient.
The angler should enjoy fishing, and not suffer when casting due to an unsuitable reel, so spinning reels with a 2500 spool from Shimano or Daiwa can be considered a universal option. It’s difficult to call the cost of such reels budgetary, but they fully recoup the financial investment, providing comfortable fishing.
If the financial issue is at the forefront, then it is better to first take a budget reel with a 2000-2500 spool, and it will be enough for use with different spinning rods. The presence of a spare spool allows you to have two fishing lines of different diameters at once and, if necessary, quickly change one to another already on the pond. The reel should be light but durable, and this is influenced by the body material, so you also need to pay attention to it when choosing.
fishing line
The fishing line for pike is selected depending on:
- diameter;
- colors;
- cost;
- manufacturing material.
The most common and effective line for pike is considered to be a transparent monofilament line, unnoticeable in the water, fast-sinking and tear-resistant. The disadvantage of monofilament fishing line is considered to be its stretchability, but this only manifests itself when fishing at long distances. Monofilament fishing line with a diameter of 0.25-03.0 mm as a base for pike is the optimal solution.
In recent years, fluorocarbon or fluorocarbon fishing line, which is completely invisible in water and can withstand sharp pike teeth, has begun to successfully compete with monofilament. Thick fluorocarbon line is even used on leashes, and it retains its strength despite the fish’s attempts to free itself from the hook. Unlike monofilament, fluorocarbon fishing line has virtually no elongation and this is also one of its important advantages.
Braided fishing lines are not very convenient to use when fishing for pike, although they also do not have stretch and help to perform a clear and timely hook. But after getting wet in the water, the braid creates problems when casting and winding the reel onto the spool, and since this has to be done often, the angler experiences inconvenience.
Leash
Rigging a spinning rod for pike is impossible without using a leash. The leash is that part of the equipment that is in direct contact with the fish, and since pike have very sharp teeth, the material of the leash must successfully withstand such influence. To make leashes for pike use:
- fluorocarbon fishing line;
- Kevlar;
- titanium;
- nickel-titanium;
- tungsten;
- steel.
With the exception of fluorocarbon, all other materials used in the manufacture of leaders are clearly visible in the water. When catching cautious fish, the invisibility of the main section of the equipment plays a big role. The pike attacks the bait quickly, and without even thinking, so it doesn’t even have time to become alert because of the clearly visible leash.
It cannot be said that the use of invisible fluorocarbon has significantly increased the frequency of pike bites, so any type of leash can be used to catch it, as long as it is durable. The length of the leash varies depending on the fishing conditions, but usually it does not exceed 35 cm. It is important that there is sufficient distance between the bait and the main line so that after biting, the pike cannot tear the base with its teeth. So a long leash is even more convenient and safer.
Features of the tackle
In the modern world there is a huge variety of gear for pike fishing. Once in a fishing store, you can choose for a long time from the whole variety of offers.
The most popular tackle is spinning. When choosing a spinning rod for this predator, you need to be guided not so much by cost as by the correct characteristics.
Rod
The selection of a fishing rod should begin with choosing the optimal length. It depends on the fishing method. If you fish from the shore, then there is a need for long casting.
Accordingly, in order to cast the bait far, they choose a longer option, on average about 3 meters. When fishing from a boat, the issue of casting is not so pressing, so you can buy a shorter model, 2.1 - 2.4 meters.
The next thing you need to pay attention to is the material from which the rod is made. Professionals recommend purchasing carbon fiber tackle. Of course, you can choose other composite materials, for example, fiberglass, but they will not provide the required quality.
A rod with a test weight of 5-25 grams is ideal for all beginning fishermen. It is suitable for installing any baits:
- rotating and oscillating spoons;
- wobblers;
- jigs, etc.
With more experience, you will be able to select other fishing rods to suit your individual characteristics.
Coil
When selecting a coil, it is also necessary to take into account several parameters:
- body material;
- spool size;
- friction brake;
- bearings;
- gear ratio.
First you need to decide on the material of the case. You should not buy reels made of cheap plastic, because they can easily break during pike fishing. It is better to choose carbon, aluminum, or graphite options. The size of the drum (spool) is also important; you need to pay attention to the markings. It shows what line should be wound on the spool and what length.
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The friction brake is needed to prevent large prey from easily unwinding the line on the spool. There are two types of brake: front and rear. Their operating principle is approximately the same, only the location is different. Its presence is extremely important for catching large pike specimens.
For some, the presence of bearings is a sufficient argument for buying a reel, while others want a large number of them. Their very presence is a sign of good quality and long service life.
fishing line
The variety of types of fishing line makes modern fishermen's eyes run wild. Pike fishing involves taking into account some parameters:
- color;
- thickness;
- strength;
- material.
Of course, you shouldn’t attach much importance to what color fishing line you use, however, professionals recommend following the recommendations. When using an oscillating spoon, it is better to choose a gray or marsh-colored fishing line.
If you use a jig, it is better to choose bright colors. If you need to control the wiring, it is better to use luminescent types (white or pink).
The thickness varies depending on the type of fishing for the “toothy” predator and the personal preferences of the fisherman. Typically, the optimal diameter is in the range of 0.12 -0.2 mm when fishing with small baits, and 0.3 mm when fishing with large baits. For pike fishing, a fishing line that can withstand 8-9 kg is usually enough.
The main materials used for the production of fishing lines are:
- monofilament;
- network;
- fluorocarbon.
Leash
There are a large number of leashes. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages:
Equipment
All selected components of the spinning rod must be fully compatible with each other so as not to get into an awkward position while fishing. The tackle set must be designed for a certain size of pike. It shouldn’t turn out that the rod and leash are designed for a “river giant”, and the line for a fry.
This is a natural clock that is worth listening to. They are much more reliable than biting calendars.
The principles for searching for pike sites in the spring vary depending on the type of reservoir and are as follows:
1. On the rivers
the predator usually hides under steep banks and can grab the hook at the end of the retrieve. Therefore, it must always be brought to the very end. If the river is small in width, it is better to throw bait on the opposite bank. Pike can grab them right away. In the spring there is no predator in a strong current, since it does not have the strength to fight the movement of water flows.
2. On deep lakes
At the beginning of spring, pike are found on shallows located along the shore, on shallow ones - under the shore, on underwater mounds. When the water warms up well, it will go further into the depths, into holes and ditches.
3. On the ponds
The predator stands near vegetation in any season, in snags, under flooded logs, in windows and corridors of aquatic vegetation.
4. On spacious reservoirs
In spring, pike prefers the coastal zone. At this time, carp species of fish spawn in the grass near the shore. The predator feeds on them. It goes to a shallow depth of only 30 centimeters to grab prey.
If fishing is done from a boat, it is necessary to fish shallow waters using light spinning rods with a flexible tip. When fishing from the shore in the spring, places up to 1.5 meters deep are selected, where there are shelters. For this purpose, blanks from 2.2 meters to 2.7 meters long, medium-fast and parabolic action with dough up to 20 grams are suitable. Equipment
you have to choose like this:
1. Inertia-free reel with sizes from 2300 to 3000. They must have a small additional bearing number. This will ensure faster catching of prey and increase the reliability of the reel.
2. Monofilament fishing line with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.24 millimeters. A braided cord with a thickness of 0.07 to 0.12 millimeters is also suitable.
3. Leashes. For pike fishing in the spring they are required. The best solution would be do-it-yourself twist leashes made from guitar strings. Their connection to the fishing line does not require additional elements, which often scare away the fish. The length of such leashes ranges from 15 to 20 centimeters.
In spring, a lot of pike can be found in the water meadows. Fish come to them with floods in search of a place to spawn. When the water subsides, the pike finds itself isolated from the main part of the reservoir, experiences a shortage of food and greedily rushes to any bait.
Individuals that have reached sexual maturity reach an average length of 50-100 cm. Thirty-year-old specimens can sometimes reach one and a half meters in length and weigh over 20 kilograms.
Places to catch pike with a spinning rod
The choice of place for catching pike with a spinning rod depends on the season and the availability of a boat, because with the help of a watercraft it is easier to get to the parking places of the toothy beauty that are inaccessible from the shore. Pike camps are located near places where young white fish “graze,” so anglers look for bright areas of water.
Promising places are at the borders of aquatic vegetation and clean water, because there it is easier to camouflage and wait for prey. As you know, white fish like to feed in places with sharp changes in depth, exits from holes, so when fishing from a boat, using an echo sounder, it is much easier to find a promising place. Bays overgrown with reeds and pockets with aquatic vegetation also need to be examined, since small fish can stand there and pike feed.
Pike lures
Those who want to know how to catch pike with a spinning rod should understand that the correct choice of bait and the way to catch pike with a spinning rod have a great influence on the effectiveness of fishing:
- wobblers;
- oscillating spoons;
- rotating spoons;
- for silicone baits.
Wobbler
Wobblers are hard baits that resemble a small fish or insect. With the help of special wiring, the fisherman imitates the play of the fry with a wobbler when feeding and provokes the pike to bite.
Oscillating spoons
Spoons are considered one of the most common lures for pike and were used for fishing by our grandfathers. The simple appearance of the spinner spoon is deceptive and in the water it turns into a very attractive bait for pike. The main advantage of such a spinner is that it lends itself perfectly to animation and demonstrates a “game” that is attractive to a predator, which cannot leave him indifferent.
Spinners
Rotating spoons or spinners are used mainly in cases where the predator is not active and does not want to take other baits. When casting, such a spinner is attractive not only visually, but when choosing a prey, pike is guided by sight. During rotation, such a spinner also makes attractive sounds, which act as an additional attractive factor.
Silicone baits
Silicone lures are now also considered one of the most popular lures for spinning pike fishing. These baits are made of silicone and in appearance they resemble small colorful fish. A wide selection of colors and original play in the water are the main advantages of silicone lures.
Hooking and landing pike
The pike grabs the bait with acceleration and finds itself on the rod with a sharp push, which must be immediately followed by a hook, otherwise the bait will be spat out. Small and medium-sized pike can be dragged without much effort by constantly winding the line onto the reel and keeping the line under tension. But a large predator needs to be fished out, and sometimes it is necessary to release the fishing line with a correctly adjusted reel clutch and lower the tip of the spinning rod into the water to avoid the toothy one jumping out of the water.
It is also necessary to keep in mind that a predator often grabs the bait at the moment when the spoon or wobbler is taken out of the water to re-cast, and therefore this must be done slowly. It happens that a toothy predator even grabs a spoon on the fly at the moment of casting. When searching for a toothy predator, you should not throw in one place more than two or three times, since the toothy predator usually grabs the bait the first time. And if she doesn’t take it, it’s better to change the bait to a pike, because the bait offered to her earlier didn’t interest her.
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When brought to the boat or to the shore, the caught toothy predator must be pulled out of the water with a landing net, because it usually twitches until the last moment. And it especially hits at the last moment, as soon as she sees the fisherman pulling her towards him. And if you take it with your hand, it can twitch and slip out, and with its teeth you can damage the fisherman’s fingers; such wounds then take a very long time to heal.
Crank is a fundamentally different bait. This wobbler has the shape of a pot-bellied barrel and is most often driven evenly. It’s not for nothing that Americans call the method of fishing with cranks idiot baiting.
Fishing methods
When going hunting for pike with a spinning rod, the angler must decide what fishing method and bait he will use, and also learn how to make attractive retrieves.
Lure fishing
When fishing from the shore with a spoon, the tackle is cast upstream, and the bait moves in the water column, descending to the horizons where the pike can stand. The size and weight of the bait is selected depending on the strength of the current and the expected place where the pike can react to the spoon.
When fishing in still water, choose heavy spoons and cast the tackle as far as possible. Then the angler begins to systematically reel in the line and when he feels the blow, he makes a sharp hook. Lures painted with fluorescent paint are catchy even at night, so you can continue fishing for pike even after sunset.
Fishing with twitching
Twitching is fishing for pike with wobblers and the rod plays the main role in the animation of the bait. During the retrieve, the angler reels in the fishing line and at the same time makes sharp swings with the blank. In such conditions, the bait moves in a spasmodic manner, and the pike perceives it as a wounded fry.
Jig fishing
Jig fishing involves the use of appropriate baits - jig heads with silicone bait. The bait is placed in the bottom layer, where the pike is looking for tired or wounded fry. Since the color of the silicone bait is not so noticeable at great depths, its “play” during the wiring process is much more important.
Jig fishing uses a stepped retrieve, in which the angler throws the bait in the water with the tip of a spinning rod, and then makes a short pause. For pike, such a game is very attractive, and it is difficult for it not to react.
Trolling
Trolling is best for pike fishing from a boat equipped with a motor. Wobblers or spinners, as well as live bait, are used as bait. The bait is lowered into the water so that it is located 50-70 cm from the bottom of the reservoir. If the bottom is covered with grass or there are snags in the reservoir, the bait is raised higher so that there are no snags.
You need to go down the boat as quietly as possible so as not to scare away the predator that the craft is floating above. Experienced fishermen use a zigzag movement when the bait imitates the movement of a live fish. When fishing with live bait, after the pike strikes, the hook is made after 2-3 seconds.
How to catch pike by season
The behavior of the predator at different times of the year is still different, so you need to choose the most suitable method of catching pike using spinning rods and bait.
Spring
In the first spring months, when the water is still cold, white fish become more active and it is believed that spring is the best time for spinning fishing for pike. A hungry fry actively moves in search of food and at the same time loses caution, not noticing the danger in the form of sharp pike teeth.
After spawning, the pike stops being caught and you need to wait until it “gets sick” and starts feeding again. Promising places are overgrown creeks, as well as small rivers with low currents. Wobblers and spinners are used as bait.
Summer
Summer is not the best time for catching pike with a spinning rod and you need to look for it in places where there is shade, for example, near flooded trees, water features or reed thickets. Small baits, spinner spoons, wobblers and silicone fish are used. The color of the bait should be natural so that it blends in with the aquatic vegetation.
Autumn
In autumn, aquatic inhabitants prepare for winter and gain fat by actively feeding and moving around the reservoir. Fishermen choose places overgrown with vegetation, shallow edges, and shallow sections of rivers.
Fishing is done with spoons and wobblers, as well as with silicone fish; you have to experiment when choosing a catchable bait. After the water cools at the end of October, white fish practically disappear and the active pike bite ends.
Where to look for large pike?
To catch a large pike, you first need to find it. Finding a trophy specimen is not easy. Large fish rarely choose shallow depths to live. Having lived to a ripe old age, she behaves cautiously and secretly. The predator is experienced, “knows” many of the fishermen’s tricks and is reluctant to attack the offered bait.
Pike is a loner and does not gather in schools. At certain periods of life, it can concentrate in small groups in characteristic places. Such stages occur during seasonal fish migrations, when predators gather in numerous schools and move around the reservoir.
The toothy beast is an ambush predator. She always tries to choose a point where she will be well camouflaged and from where it is convenient to attack small fish. The pike loves to stand near the shelter, and if possible, makes a short, sharp, decisive throw when it sees a gaping or wounded fry.
You should look for trophy pike in the following places:
- Deep pools, backwaters and holes.
- Channel ditches and dumps.
- Single flooded snags on the river bed.
- Kolodniks and snags.
The large predator almost never leaves small areas. It is rare to find an angler whose largest pike caught was bitten in shallow water. They hunt for her from the shore and from a boat. Read about how to catch pike from the shore here.
Fishing
After the hook has been made and the weight of the spinning rod makes it clear that the pike is on the hook, fishing for the trophy begins and its result depends on the skills of the fisherman. In the process of fishing for pike, you must not allow the line to weaken, otherwise the fish will make a sharp jerk and come off the hook, or break the line.
A heavy trophy should be fished using the friction brake of the reel, gradually tiring the fish. You should not allow the caught fish to approach snags or reed thickets, otherwise it will catch on a solid obstacle and will not allow the angler to get itself into the landing net.
Without a landing net you can only successfully catch small pike, but this is not interesting. If you are trying to win a large trophy, only with a landing net will you be able to finish it successfully.
If an angler wants to learn how to successfully catch pike with a spinning rod, he will need practice, so he needs to go to the reservoir as soon as possible, even if only for a couple of hours. Understanding which gear and baits are the most catchy comes only with experience, especially since conditions on reservoirs can differ significantly.
There is no universal tackle for pike, so experiments are encouraged, both with tackle and with bait. And of course, it is important to be able to make wiring that is attractive to the predator, so that it will still take the bait. Accurate hooking and calm fishing are also important skills and, again, only practice will help you achieve success and a solid catch. Every trip to a pond is a new experience that will help you always be with trophies and enjoy pike fishing.
