{"id":11623,"date":"2022-03-11T16:16:17","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T21:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/blog\/best-gear-for-pike-fishing-essentials-from-a-specialist\/"},"modified":"2023-02-03T13:16:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T18:16:16","slug":"best-gear-for-pike-fishing-essentials-from-a-specialist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/blog\/best-gear-for-pike-fishing-essentials-from-a-specialist\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Gear for Pike Fishing: Essentials from a Specialist"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":13566,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[231,239],"tags":[347,349,555,684,685,686],"class_list":["post-11623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fishing","category-pike-fishing","tag-lures","tag-pike","tag-fishing-rod","tag-northern-pike","tag-pike-fishing","tag-spinner"],"acf":{"post_flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":false,"anchor_link_text":"","text_content":"Catching pike can be a challenge. This freshwater predator won\u2019t go down without a fight, so leave nothing to chance and follow our specialist\u2019s advice on the best gear to grab for pike fishing. From spinners to spoons and from rods to reels, Claude Bissonnette, buyer at SAIL and fishing enthusiast, goes through what to bring on your next pike fishing adventure."},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_anchors_list","anchors_section_title":"In this article, you will learn:"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":false,"anchor_link_text":"","text_content":"

[stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/collections\/fishing\/pike-fishing\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Best gear for pike fishing[\/stag_button] [stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/fishing\/rods\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Shop fishing rods[\/stag_button] [stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/fishing\/reels\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Shop fishing reels[\/stag_button]<\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Characteristics of northern pike","text_content":"

Characteristics of northern pike<\/h2>\r\nPike can be a very exciting catch. This strong, slender, olive to dark green fish dotted with paler spots can grow up to a trophy-worthy 30 pounds (13.6 kg) in weight, although most specimens are between 5 and 12 pounds (2.3 and 5.4 kg). Commonly referred to as the \u2018water wolf\u2019 due to its sharp teeth and aggressive nature, pike are natural hunters: always hungry and willing to take a chance at a bite, they hide in shallow, weedy places waiting for prey. This makes it a fairly easy fish to catch with standard spinning equipment and artificial lure, although it will bite for those using live worms as well. But even if a novice has a good chance at a catch, getting it out of the water is another story altogether.\r\n\r\nNorthern pike, the most common species, is fairly abundant and can be found in many rivers and lakes in Quebec and Ontario. Excluding the spawning season, anglers can try their luck at pike fishing throughout the year.<\/a>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"The best gear for pike fishing","text_content":"

The best gear for pike fishing<\/h2>\r\nThe best gear for you will depend on the technique you choose to use. Fly fishing, trolling, spinning or baitcasting all work for pike, although most people will settle for spinning as it doesn\u2019t require any special equipment.\r\n\r\nHave a look at Cyril Chauquet\u2019s best pike fishing gear recommendations.<\/a>\r\n

The best fishing rods and line to use<\/h3>\r\nWhen planning a pike fishing trip, Claude Bissonnette usually packs a six to seven feet (1.83 m to 2.1 m) long spinning rod with medium heavy (MH) power<\/a>. Brands Daiwa<\/a> and 13 Fishing<\/a> offer light but sturdy rods with a good strong backbone. When using heavier lures, a heavy casting rod (H) could be a better option, however most pike fishing lures will range between 1\/4 to 3\/4 ounces.\r\n\r\nBoth braid and monofilament fishing line work well for pike, although Claude recommends braid when spinning as it tends to be stronger and cut through vegetation better. You\u2019ll need something that can handle an aggressive fish. A 25-30 lb (11.3-13.6 kg) test is a solid choice. If using braid, add a bit of Fluorocarbon near your hook for camouflage. When trolling, a 15-20 lb (6.8-9.1 kg) test monofilament is fine, but add a steel leader so your catch doesn\u2019t cut the line when biting.\r\n

The best reels<\/h3>\r\nIf spinning is your technique of choice, use a reel between 2000 and 3000 in size depending on your fishing line of choice. A 2000 reel will do for a 10 lb (4.5 kg) test monofilament, while 4000 will handle a much thicker fishing line. Brands Daiwa<\/a> and Abu Garcia<\/a> offer good reel options, suitable for pike fishing.\r\n

The best lures to use to attract pike<\/h3>\r\nPike are natural hunters. They enjoy chasing prey and so they require visual excitement. Use plenty of colour and movement. Your artificial bait will need to be solid enough to resist powerful mouths and jaws.\r\n\r\nYour fishing spot will also impact your choice of lure. Your usual go-to spoon could work well one day and not at all the next. Pike fishing is all about trial and error. Bissonnette\u2019s suggestion is to bring a large selection of lures (at least a dozen) in order to be prepared for any situation. Rapala<\/a> has a good selection of hard lures with plenty of action, like the BX Jointed Shad 06 (2 1\/2\")<\/a> and the Super Shadow Rap<\/a>. So don\u2019t hesitate to switch bait, or location, should things be a bit too quiet.\r\n

Three recommended lures for pike fishing<\/h3>\r\n\"Pike<\/a>\r\n