Pike fishing is an amazing sport that can bring you a lot of joy and relaxation. However, it’s quite hard to master this art.
It takes years of practice to become a good pike angler. A beginner rarely knows how to catch a big fish or even what equipment he should buy for the first time.
We have created this guide on 17 things every pike angler (should know).
Below, you will find tips for pike fishing beginners that should help you start this adventure with brilliant success.
These tips will help you make your start on this fascinating hobby as smooth as possible!

What is the pike fishing season?
Pike fish are active year-round. The Pike fishing season starts in the spring when the fish wake up from hibernation. Once pike wakes up, it is hungry and will eat almost anything.
Pike spends the winter months in deep holes that do not freeze to the bottom, and in the spring it swims up to shallower water and feeds intensively. The Pike fishing season ends in the fall when the fish goes back to deeper and colder water and doesn’t leave it until the beginning of the next year.
Big pikes are eager to regain lost weight during the April spawning process. In mid-May, fishing is a good way to catch big fish that have recently finished their spawn cycles and want nothing more than tasty meals of fresh baitfish like shiners or perch.
These large predatory fish will eat anything they can find in order to rebuild all that energy they burned through when spawning. It won’t take long until these predators become active again as soon as the weather allows them room outside of ice densities on lakes.
Where to go pike fishing?
When you are looking for a pike to catch, try places like bays and flats. Weedy areas outside weed lines, pad fields, or reed/wild rice beds can also be suitable spots to look at since they might have a lot of pike swimming around there during the summer months.
Pike also prefers natural piers and man-made platforms since those areas offer pleasant shade and places to hide. Pike will often lie right under these structures, thanks to the cool water that is sucked into the area under them.
We can often find Pike in areas surrounded by fallen trees, or under docks where they can hide from other pikes that might hunt the same waters.
What time of day is the best for pike fishing?
If you’re looking to catch pike, fishing between late morning and early afternoon will be the best time. When summer comes around, very early mornings and evenings are your best picks during that season. In winter, stick with later in the morning or mid-day hours for better results when catching northern pike.
Can you catch pike at night?
Pike is a nocturnal creature that feeds around the time of sunset, and sunrise. Therefore, it’s best to fish at these times of the day.
If you really want to catch pike during a nighttime trip, be sure to use powerful lures that have good reflective qualities. Pike is attracted to flash and will often bite at lures that shine far away from them.
What is the best weather for pike fishing?
If the water is cool enough, you can find a big pike on weed lines. If it’s too warm and calm for shallower waters, they will be positioned in deeper open or hanging around a structure that’s deeper. “If it flatly sunny,” shallow fish get tough to catch while suspended one’s stay put when conditions are unfavorable like this.
There’s no such thing as “ruthless weather”, just incorrect clothing. If you’re comfortable, the pike will also be more active when you go out to fish.
When fishing in cold temperatures, be sure to have warm clothing on. It’s always better to go with puffy clothes rather than to wear several thin layers since they trap moister.
When it’s very sunny outside, be sure to wear sunglasses because pike will often test your eyesight.
What is the best bait for pike fishing? (Pike baits guide)
There are many options to choose from when you want to catch pike. It’s important to know that the best baits will vary depending on the catching conditions.
The best colors for pike are those that put off a lot of vibration or sound. Top choices include spinnerbaits, inline spinners, and lipless cranks; these lures all have different purposes but work well when targeting this fish because they’re sensitive to bait like worms, nightcrawlers, or grubs.
Loud top-water offerings such as buzz baits and walking baits also make great catches – just be sure not cast too far out into open water where divers might start swimming nearby!
When pike in search of trophy fish, try using large minnow-like lures that will resemble prey they would eat during the summer months. For smaller minnows, try using crankbaits with single large treble hooks.
What tackle for pike fishing?
6-7 foot medium-heavy to heavy action rods with good quality open face fishing reels are great choices for pike fishing. Bigger pike needs bigger tackle because they put up a strong fight during the time you bring them in, especially if there’s current or wind involved.
If you want to land big fish, instead of fighting with it until it is exhausted, it’s better to play the fish for a short time and then use your rod as a handle to bring it in.
When you pike fishing, you need a firm line because of the size of their mouths. Since they chew so much as well as having tough skin, a braided line is best for this type of catch.
What color lure is best for pike? (Favorite pike lures)
When fishing for pikes in clear water, the most effective lures are swimbaits, soft baits, and crankbaits. The best colors to use are white/silver/green or black because they resemble their prey.
In cloudy or darkly stained waters, bright-colored lures in pink, yellow and orange work best. You can also use spoons for this type of pike fishing since the metal reflects light as a mirror does.
Here are the top 5 pike lures
- 【Life-like Design】: 3D fish eyes, simulated fish skin, seeing...
- 【Multi Jointed Fishing Lures】: The bait is composed of 9...
- 【Product Matching】: There are two treble hooks under each...
- 【Environmental Materials】: We choose high-quality...
- Piker Kit - 6 lure drsd,
- All of the lures in this kit feature solid brass bodies and...
- Mepps #4 Aglia - red & white blade
- Beginning with solid brass components, each lure is specifically...
- 3D Duck 4 1/4" 1oz F Yellow Duckling
- 3D Duck 4 1/4" 1oz F Yellow Duckling
- 3D Duck 4 1/4" 1oz F Yellow Duckling
- 3D Duck 4 1/4" 1oz F Yellow Duckling
- Pike Musky Dawg Fishing Soft Bait
- Pike Fishing Soft Bait Lure 4 Colors 200mm 45g
- Pike Musky Dawg Fishing Soft Bait Lure 200mm 45g Swimbait
- It is one of the most popular Musky lures on the market today,...
What lures work best for pike?
The best types of lures for catching pike are those that mimic their natural prey. During the summer months, pike feed on small fish like bluegill and sunfish, as well as frogs and crayfish.
Therefore, to attract them during this time of year, use flashy spoons and shallow-diving plugs and wacky-rigged worms, tubes, and crayfish.
In the wintertime, you can use soft baits or crankbaits that resemble squid or large minnows like shad and herring because this is what they eat most during colder temperatures.
The 10 best northern pike lures ever (top 10 northern pike lures)
The best northern pike lures are hard to find. We have created a list of the top 10 northern pike lures ever. These are the best northern pike lures you can buy on Amazon right now, based on sales and reviews.
Our list will help you pick out the perfect lure for your next fishing trip! Learn more about each one and see photos too!
- MADE IN AMERICA SINCE 1946; Made from Delong Lures original...
- VERSITILE; Our tadpole bass fishing lures are perfect for any...
- ULTRA SHARP HOOKS; These fishing lures for freshwater come...
- COLOR SELECTION: Delong Lures has been known for great lure...
- 【Life-like Design】: 3D fish eyes, simulated fish skin, seeing...
- 【Multi Jointed Fishing Lures】: The bait is composed of 8...
- 【Product Matching】: There are two treble hooks under each...
- 【Environmental Materials】: We choose high-quality...
- NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR THE NEW COLOR!!! For the new formula.We...
- The body of MERIOR fishing lures is streamlined from beginning to...
- FOCUS ON YOUR PERFECT CATCH.The MERIOR fishing lures Premium...
- THE REASON WHY MERIOR SOFT FISHING LURES PRICE IS HIGH.Do not...
- Mag 8oz SuperD Length (Tail To End Of Lip): 16 Inches with tail...
- Musky Swimbait Lure with BodyLock internal coil harness
- Pike Swimbait
- Durable Internal Coil Harness to keep the Rubber Body on
- MADE BY ABS: Hard fishing minnow lures are rigged with two sharp...
- DEEP DIVING LIP: Fishing swimbait have extended diving lip for...
- GRAVITY BALL INSIDE: Bass lures are built-in gravity ball for...
- BODY SHAPE: High definition glossy body patterns with 3D...
- This bait is suitable for middle and deep waters, and can also...
- 12 grams of weight allows you to cast into deep water areas from...
- life-like nautical eyes,It has a special T-shaped propeller tail...
- The dorsal fin hides the hook and also prevents hook grass,...
- SPECIFICATION: 4.7’’, 0.67 oz, #6 treble hooks, Action:...
- SWIMBAITS – Designed to resemble the natural action of a...
- VERSATILITY – The swimbait gives anglers the ability to adjust...
- RATTLING BALL & TREBLE HOOKS - A rattling ball is placed in the...
- You will get 12Pcs/Box Fishing Spoon Lures,Silver and Gold...
- Hard Metal Casting Spoon Baits made of High Quality and Durabilit...
- Gold and silver scale design ,let this Fishing Spoon can reflect...
- Luminous design allows you to fish even at night. Whether it is...
- As a slow sinking bait, the bait can be used to attack the entire...
- The glide bait has a unique S-wave action and big profile, and it...
- With eight stainless steel balls (ball dia. 0.28in, 0.24in and...
- Natural color imitation; Vivid 3D laser eyes; Textured, soft...
- AERODYNAMIC DESIGN & STREAMLINED SHAPE: With aerodynamic design,...
- LIFE-LIKE SWIMMING ACTION LURES: Fishing Spoons produce a wild...
- ATTRACTIVE FLASH SPOONS: Fishing spoon surfaces buffed to an...
- VERSATILE & EASY TO USE SPOONS: Extremely versatile and easy to...
What is the best rod for pike fishing?
I love fishing with the Fenwick HMG 7′ medium-heavy action rod.
It’s great for small lures of around 1 to 1.5 ounces, including spinnerbaits, inline spinners, smaller crankbaits, and shades or soft baits.
The Fenwick HMG rod is made from quality materials and has great medium-heavy action. It’s durable, sensitive, and lightweight. If you want to look for a good fishing rod under $100, this is definitely the one to get!
What pound line should you use for pike fishing?
Every pike angler has caught a multitude of northern fish, most commonly from 4 to 10 pounds. They captured most in shallow water with the right equipment and techniques.
For a reel that has at least 15 pounds of drag, we recommend using a braided line between 20 and 40-pounds. To attach the leader to your mainline, use 3 feet of fluorocarbon lines from 30 to 40-pound strength.
- 【Superior Abrasion Resistance and Durable】Piscifun Onyx...
- 【Faster Cutting Water】Unparalleled smoothness and consistent...
- 【Highly Sensitivity and Minimal Stretch】Minimal stretch...
- 【Strong Knot Strength】Unmatched strength fiber material,...
- MONOFILAMENT FISHING LINE - Designed for multiple species in...
- 8 POUND (Lb) BREAKING STRENGTH - Our 8lb test weight sports a...
- 400 YARDS (Yds) LENGTH - Pure monofilament fishing line made on a...
- DESIGNED BY FISHING GUIDES - Our nationwide team of fishing...
- Item Package Dimensions: 3.3 L X 25.4 W X 30.5 H (Cm)
- Product Type: Fishing Equipment
- Item Package Weight: 0.091 kgs
- Country Of Origin: Japan
- 【High Strength & Low Stretch 】 Goture fly backing line comes...
- 【Smooth Line & Long Casting】With smooth coating and low...
- 【Small Diameter Line & More Reel Capacity】Goture fly backing...
- 【Attach Two Line Together Easily】The fly fishing backing line...
- Rio's pike/musky line has been specifically designed to Meet the...
- A range of densities are available to cover a multitude of...
- All fly lines are made with pride in our Idaho Fall facility
- It features a short head and a powerful front taper that has no...
Do you need a wire leader for pike?
We know Pike for their strong jaws and sharp teeth, so when fishing with live bait or smaller lures, it’s best to use wire leaders. For larger baits like soft baits and trolling for pike, you can get away without using a leader by choosing thicker fluorocarbon instead.
It’s a good idea to have a leader of at least 30-pound strength because pike often swims with their heads pointing downwards. That means they’ll go for the bait first, and it will more likely get ripped or torn off by a hooked fish.
If you plan on fishing in deep water, use a wire leader that’s 50- to 80-pound strength. This will prevent your baits from getting caught at the bottom of the lake or river if you get a big one!
How to start pike fishing?
It is always recommended to start off fishing with live baits, which are the best way to catch pike. If you want to know how to catch pike using live bait, watch this video tutorial by Pro angler!
A word of advice: it’s best to fish in shallow water when you’re just beginning pike fishing. This way you can get a feel for how pikes move and how to correctly set the hook on them.
How to use pike lures?
Using lures can be the best way to catch pike. The problem is that many people don’t know how to use them properly, especially spinners and spoons.
When using these types of lures, you want to use a separate rod with light action or even ultralight equipment. See the below video to learn how to use pike lures.
The best way to use lures is by casting them far enough so that your lure can sink deep down into the water. When you reel it back, make sure to slow and steady pulls! This will attract more pikes to your lure, increasing your chances of catching one.
If you plan on using spinners or spoons, you can jig them similarly. Just remember to lock your reel after each pull so the lure doesn’t get lost. when you have a strike, it’s best to set the hook hard and fast even if you miss the fish at first.
Best trolling lures for northern pike (big pike lures)
Fish are not stupid. They know what lures they like to eat and which ones they don’t. If you’re using the wrong bait or lure, then your catch will suffer.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best trolling lures for northern pike (big pike) that will help you catch more fish in less time with greater accuracy than ever before!
- Size: Hook 2/0, Length 6.5"-7.5" , Assorted Colors
- Fishing Fly for Bass or Muskie, Pike, Steelhead, Salmon...
- The Dragon Tail Fishing Fly feature the right bright flashy...
- 10 Fishing Lures In One Box
- Trolling connectors are great accessories for boat and sea...
- Lifelike Simulated squid design fishing lure, 3D holographic...
- 2 sharp Treble hooks, degree tin enhancement durability and high...
- Widely targeting at predator fishes, such as Lingcod,...
- Made with premium quality components. Shell made with durable...
- Automatically ON and OFF. With its advance design this LED light...
- This deep drop light will keep flashing and blinking even under...
- Up to 400 hrs of life span. Much durable than a glow stick and...
Best fall pike lures
The fall is the best time of year for catching pike, but it’s also a busy time of year. There are so many things to do and you don’t have as much free time as in summer.
If you want to catch more fish this fall, your fishing gear needs to be top-notch, and that means using the right lures. You need lures that will attract those big pike now!
Professional anglers who know exactly what works for attracting these fish developed these premium lures. Plus, they’re proven effective in many water conditions. Order yours now!
- Sport type: Outdoor Lifestyle
- Demands attention
- Wide wobble and loud rattle
- Drive fish wild
- As a slow sinking bait, the bait can be used to attack the entire...
- The glide bait has a unique S-wave action and big profile, and it...
- With eight stainless steel balls (ball dia. 0.43in, 0.39in and...
- Natural color imitation; Vivid 3D laser eyes; Textured, soft...
- 🐟【Saltwater Jigs】: Goture lead vertical Jigs will resist...
- 🐟【Luminous Effect】: The saltwater jigs with fluorescent...
- 🐟【7-Layer Coating Process】: Multi-layer coating with UV...
- 🐟【Good Performance】: Full Lead Stream-line Body, With...
Conclusion:
If you want to learn more about pike fishing, please check out our Ultimate Pike Fishing Guide. It includes everything you need to know in order to catch pike, from the tackle you need to the best places to fish for them.
In this article, we’ve discussed different ways of fishing for pike, from spinning and trolling scorpion fishing lures to live bait fishing. We’ve also spoken about the best tackle that you can use for both methods. We’ve provided you with all the information you need to know about pike fishing. How do you plan on using your new knowledge? Let us know in the comment section below! If you have questions, please ask us. We’d love to hear from you!
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