Species guide
Northern Pike Fishing: Gear and Setups
A toothy ambush predator. Every recommendation here is shaped by one thing: pike teeth go through ordinary line and leader, so bite protection is part of the setup rather than an accessory.
Northern Pike setups by technique
Generated by our recommendation engine for an average fish in water typical for the species. Adjust for your water with the Setup Builder.
| Technique | Rod | Reel | Main line | Leader | Hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinning | 6'6"–7'6" Medium Heavy power · Fast action |
3000–4000 Spinning reel |
30–50 lb Braided line |
20–40 lb Wire, or heavier fluorocarbon |
2/0–5/0 J hook |
| Baitcasting | 7'–7'6" Heavy power · Fast action |
300–400 Baitcasting reel |
25–30 lb Fluorocarbon |
20–40 lb Wire, or heavier fluorocarbon |
3/0–6/0 J hook |
| Trolling | 8'–9' Heavy power · Moderate action |
30–40 Conventional reel |
25–40 lb Monofilament |
20–40 lb Wire, or heavier fluorocarbon |
3/0–6/0 J hook |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Where to find pike
Weedy bays, cabbage beds and drop-off edges in northern lakes and rivers, from the upper Midwest and Northeast through the northern Rockies.
How they feed
Sit motionless against weed edges and strike from short range at high speed. They will follow a bait to the boat, which is why a figure-eight at boatside is worth doing.
Typical size
Most pike run 20 to 30 inches. Fish over 40 inches are trophies across their US range.
Through the year
Shallow and aggressive right after ice-out, in and on weed edges through summer, and shallow again in fall as they feed heavily before winter.
What to put on the end of the line
Baits and lures our engine has rules for, for the techniques pike are most often caught on.
Live minnow
Shiners, fatheads and chubs, fished under a float or on a bottom rig.
Hook size for thisLarge live shiner
Big baitfish for big fish, usually free-lined or under a float.
Hook size for thisCut bait
Chunks of bunker, mullet, herring, shad or other fresh baitfish.
Hook size for thisSoft paddle-tail swimbait
Swimming plastics on a weighted swimbait hook or a jig head.
Hook size for thisSkirted jig
A weedguard jig with a rubber skirt and a plastic trailer, for wood and grass.
Hook size for thisCrankbait
A diving hard bait with a lip that sets its running depth.
Hook size for thisJerkbait
A suspending minnow-profile bait worked with pauses.
Hook size for thisTopwater lure
Poppers, walking baits and buzzbaits worked on the surface.
Hook size for thisCommon northern pike mistakes
Fishing without bite protection
Standard leader gets cut. Wire handles it at 20 to 40 lb; if you prefer fluorocarbon for the lower visibility, published guidance starts around 40 lb and many anglers fish heavier still. Either way, run something in front of the lure in pike water, including when you are fishing for something else.
No jaw spreader or long pliers
Unhooking a pike by hand is how people get cut. Bring long-nose pliers and a cutter.
Undersized net
A pike thrashing at boatside in a small net is a lost fish and a hook in someone's hand.
Regulations
Several states manage pike with protected slots or encourage harvest of small fish to control density, and rules differ sharply between neighboring waters. Check your state agency.
Build a complete northern pike setup
Answer five short questions and get a complete setup: rod length, power and action, reel size, main line, leader and hook, each with the reasoning behind it.
Reference charts
- Fishing Hook Size ChartEvery size from #28 to 12/0 with what each one is used for, and why the same number differs between brands.
- Fishing Reel Size ChartSpinning, baitcasting, conventional and fly reel classes with typical line capacity and what each size is for.
- Fishing Line Size ChartPound test against typical diameter for mono, fluorocarbon and braid, and how to compare them fairly.
- Fishing Rod Size GuideWhat length, power and action each control, and how to read the specs printed on a blank.