When it comes to catching northern pike, having the right arsenal of lures is essential for a successful day on the water. Whether you’re targeting trophy-sized monsters or looking for a thrilling fight with aggressive predators, this list of fishing lures offers a diverse range of options to suit any angler’s preferences. From the irresistible action of spinnerbaits to the lifelike swimming motion of soft plastic swimbaits, each lure brings its own unique appeal to the table. Join us as we dive into the world of pike angling as we explore what we think are the top four styles of lures that consistently prove their worth in enticing these apex predators to strike.
1. Spoons
Spoons aren’t the flashiest lures in the world but there is a reason that people use them today even though they were created hundreds of years ago. Their shape allows them to be cast very long distances. When in the water the spoon wobbles and vibrates in the water mimicking the way an injured fish would move making it irresistible to the pike. This pairs up well with the flashy metallic material that the spoon is made up of, creating a glint that catches the pike’s attention. The final X factor that puts this lure at number one on our list for pike fishing is the durability of the lure. This durability makes sure that anglers can fish with confidence, knowing their lure can endure repeated strikes without failing. For our recommendation for a spoon we choose the Daredevle, 5 of diamonds. It is versatile, big and flashy which will guarantee to put some fish in your boat.
2. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are similar to the way the spoon functions with its rotating blade creating flashes, vibrations that lure the pike in to take a bite. Two positives to this lure over the others is that most spinnerbaits have a weedless design so that you can fish in vegetated areas where pike like to hide without encountering many snags, the second positive is through the spinning of the blade, the lure ends up looking bigger to the fish enticing bigger catches even though it is made out of less material, making it cheaper then most options. This comes with a caveat though, it lacks the control that the other lures have. For our recommendation for spinner lures, we have had the most catches with the Mepps #5 Aglia and Black Fury
3. Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are made to be cast far allowing anglers to cover a lot of water from one spot. Jerkbaits are also designed to be suspended in the water column when the retrieve is paused. This can be particularly effective for triggering strikes from hesitant or wary pikes, as the suspended lure looks like an easy meal. This is amplified in cooler water especially in the later months of the fishing season where pike are sluggish and want to go for an easy bite. The lure we recommend is the Rapala Husky Jerk, one of the most reliable jerkbaits in the market.
4. Soft Plastic Swimbaits
Soft Swimbaits are the most realistic moving and looking lures you can have. These lures are very consistent and whenever someone goes out with them they are likely to catch a pike. But the biggest issue is that the Pike teeth tear up the lures so you will be lucky to have the lure intact after a day of fishing. Our recommendation for a swimbait is the Wildeye Live Pike, it looks like a pike, swims like a pike, and will overall catch pike.
