Here in Michigan, most anglers try to avoid northern pike when bass fishing whenever possible. They’re bait stealers, day ruiners, and often a slimy reminder of why many anglers don’t enjoy handling them. Other times, however, we target them on purpose. From the initial strike to the fight at the boat, pike offer a unique and adrenaline-inducing catch. Most of the time they’re caught on standard bass fishing gear, and if you’re lucky, you might even get your bass bait back when a pike shows up in your spot.
There are also days when I specifically target pike for their aggressive bite and exciting fight. If you’ve never fished for this tooth-filled species before, the strike alone may startle you with how quick and sudden it can be. Once hooked, pike often thrash, roll, and sometimes seem to give up… until you get them close. Then the fight can start all over again. Whether it’s your first time targeting pike or just another day on the water, one thing is certain: pike fishing is fun and never dull.
Pike Facts
Northern Pike are unique to the northern parts of the country…sort of. There are many variations. Pike are a member of the genus Esox. They are categorized into several species and subspecies, most commonly the Northern Pike, Musky, and various pickerels.
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Northern Pike are ambush predators with an average weight of 5 lbs but can grow to over 45 pounds. Males can weigh an average of 11-27 inches by 5 years of age while female Pike can average between 19-30 inches by 5 years of age. Pike are very aggressive due to being territorial. They will usually be inactive until they find prey. Mostly hiding on the bottom of lakes and rivers using structure or vegetation to hide from their prey, Pike will aggressively come out to attack prey and then return to the bottom. These fish will strike most moving baits and with their quick and aggressive bites, they will give you one heck of a jump if you aren’t paying attention.
Baits
For a predator fish like a Northern Pike, nothing can beat live bait. A live or dead baitfish will attract pike with less effort than an artificial bait. If you choose to use artificial instead, they will take notice of you use a large spoon, spinner baits and jerk baits. Flashy, noisy and movement are important to attract these fish. I choose bright colors and something that moves loudly such as a thunder cricket, chatter bait or similar.
Gear
When targeting Pike, a good rod, reel and line is imperative to a successful day on the water. I always suggest a rod with a nice solid backbone to manage the aggressive pike as they fight and pull into vegetation and cover. A medium/heavy or a heavy is perfect for the strength needed. I prefer a bait caster set up for pike for better casting and handling of the rod, but spinning can also work.
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The most important part is the line. I usually will use 10-20lb braided line with a 70-100lb mono leader. The reason for the leader is obviously for the teeth of the pike so they do not cut my line easily when attacking my lures. A lot of anglers will use steel leaders for the thin diameter and strength. I usually steer away from steel due to it being able to cut into the mouths of the fish. The thin steel wire can cause damage to the fish as it rolls and thrashes. This is why I suggest a think mono leader instead.
When catching pike, my pro tip is to always check your line and leader after every bite. A lot of times a pike’s teeth with cause damage to your line and if you do not notice it and re-tie your line, then you could snap off on the very next catch.
Lastly, when holding these fish, use a fish grip of carefully hold the fish under the mouth near the gill plate and the body. Never grab the mouth or you will pay the price with their teeth. They are slippery due to their protective slime on their smooth narrow body, so hold one hand near the tail and the other under the mouth safely away from the teeth. Good luck and be safe when catching and handling these aggressive and fun fish!
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