Best Pike Fishing Lures
When it comes to pike fishing lures, there are many different kinds, makes and models with dozens of different colors.
Different lures work better on different lakes and there is no one lure that is the magic lure that is going to catch every fish in every type of body of water, with the exception of one lure that I talk about below.
When you're trying to stock your tackle box with the best lures for pike on the lake you're going to fish, there are many different things to consider:
1. Is the water dark or clear?
2. Will you be in moving water or calm lake?
3. Is it a sunny or cloudy day?
4. What is the depth of the water?
5. What is the water temperature?
...and the list goes on and on but the #1 THING TO CONSIDER when you go to get that lure out of the box is the LOCATION of the pike at the time you are fishing.
Examples:
- If you are fishing in a shallow bay, you need to use a lure that is light or runs shallow so you don't touch the bottom and pick up old dead weeds.
- When fishing 10 feet deep cabbage weeds and the pike are holding tight to the bottom, ripping a lure across the surface is not going to be the most effective...you need to get to where the pike are. A lure that will get down into the cabbage is what you need to find.
- When fishing a 10-15' deep underwater hump you need a lure that can bounce off the rocks in that depth.
I have made a list of some of the best and most common pike fishing lures that are used up on our lakes.
This selection should cover you in all fishing conditions that you will come across on your trip.
By Jerry Dunlop
"Blue Fox" - Super Vibrax #6
In-Line Spinner
Over all the years of guiding for pike I would have to say this is my all time best "go-to" lure!
I perfer the #6 for pike fishing because of the larger hook size. The bigger hook works best for getting a good hook set into the jaw of the pike.
The bigger blade throws a lot more flash and the grinding wheel inside of the bell gives off a low frequency vibration that drives pike crazy!
When the pike are not biting as hard, you can always downsize to a #5 or #4.
As for color, the same goes for most lures- silver on sunny and copper or gold on cloudy days.
When fishing this lure in shallow water, never let the lure hit the surface as you're retrieving it. The surface of the water will cause the lure to not spin properly. Slow down your retrieval to keep it below the surface and remember to keep it in the water all the way to the boat where the pike then like to strike.
Len Thompson #2
Spoon
The Len Thompson spoon comes in many different colors and a few different sizes. I prefer the #2 as it is the perfect size spoon for pike fishing.
This spoon can be used any time of the year but it does carry a treble hook so it will pick up weeds if it touches them. Although available in an assortment of colors, the yellow and red 5 of diamonds is probably the most popular.
The Len Thompson has a different shape to it so when retreiving it through the water it gives a different wobble than the "Daredevil" spoon. This lure can be used in water ranging from 2 to 10 feet deep depending on how high/low you keep your rod tip and how fast/ slow you retrieve it.
This spoon is a tough, well made lure! Hundreds of pike could be caught on the same lure and it will not fall off get ripped apart. If anything, only the paint is scratched from the pike's teeth. This spoon is a must have for northern pike fishermen.
Daredevil
Spoon-1 oz.
Info coming soon...
Swim Bait
Info coming soon...
Rat-L-Trap
Rattle-bait
This lure was a favorite of mine when I was pike fishing as a young boy. I used it as often as I could because it always caught fish for me.
The Rat-L-Trap has a few different applications but its ability to work a rocky drop off into deeper water is when this lure works best. Being able to run deep has made this a really effective lure during the summer months when Northern Pike are on the windblown shoreline.
The Rat-L-Trap runs a little too deep for fishing bays in June up at Lake Waskaiowaka but along the rocky shorelines with a good drop off, this lure is a killer!
Johnson Silver Minnow
Pictured above is the 1-1/8oz lure that I prefer to use. It comes in sizes ranging from 1/4 - 2 oz but I prefer this one for big northern pike.
The Johnson Silver Minnow has been around and catching fish for as long as people can remember.. In fact, this lure was first invented in 1920 and to this day still belongs in everyone's tackle box.
With the wobbling back and forth motion and the fixed single hook facing up, it cute through the weeds easily. The Johnson Silver Minnow can be used any time of year but is designed to fish in the weeds and I believe this is when this lure preforms best.
Jerry's Tip- Add a white twister tail to the tip of the hook to make this lure even more irresistable!
Syclops
1 oz.
These spoons have a narrow design that give it a unique "wobble" that attract both walleye and pike.
The Syclops is an easy and accurate casting lure. This is a simple lure to use and results are undeniable.
Storm Flatstick
6 1/4" Loud Rattle
The Storm Flatstick is a great Big Pike Bait! You need to work this lure using both hands. One reeling and the other hand on the rod causing twitching motion as its being retrieved.
Keep an eye on this lure as you work it. If there's a big pike in the area, chances are his eye is on it as well!
Large Spinner Bait
2 oz. Spinnerbait
Looking to get through the cabbage weeds? The Pearson Grinder is the lure for you!
On our lake, I use this spinnerbait any time of the year but especially in July and August when fishing in the weeds.
The Pearson Grinder preforms best when I need to get down 8-10 feet in cabbage that is in 10-12 feet deep of water.
From experience I have found that silver works best on sunny days or I'm only working the lure in shallow water or near the surface. When it's cloudy or I'm fishing down deep, I like to use the darker colours such as dark orange or gold.
Mepps Giant Killer
The Mepps Giant Killer is the perfect size for pike. This In-Line spinner has some good weight to it so it's east to cast.
The Mepps Giant Killer can be used any time of the season but because of the treble hook it will pick up some weeds in late July and August. Keep your cast shorter and your fishing rod tip pointed up, you can walk it between the tops of the cabbage weeds.
