Northern pike fishing lures (Esox lucius) are some of the most ferocious freshwater predators in North America and Europe. These fish are known for their keen teeth and quick strikes. They will eat just about anything they can fit in their jaws, even other pike. They eat perch, walleyes, panfish, and baitfish like herring and ciscoes. Because of this, picking the appropriate lures for northern pike fishing can make or break your success on the lake.Pike anglers need to think big when choosing lures, but not as big as what you’d toss for muskies, unless you’re fishing in isolated northern Canada or Scandinavian waters. In most places, big lures still work better than little ones, but the way you present them and the conditions are just as important.
How to Choose the Right Pike Lure
Northern Pike Fishing Lures ,Keep these two things in mind before you tie on a northren pike fishing lures:
The season and the state of the water— When the water is cold, you need to use spoons and spinnerbaits that move more slowly. When the weather becomes warmer, speed up your retrieve or switch to crankbaits and jerkbaits. When pike go to deeper water in the middle of summer and early autumn, deep-diving lures are quite important.
Leader strength: Always use a thick fluorocarbon or sturdy wire leader. Pike’s strong fangs can readily cut through regular mono.
Eppinger Dardevle spoons
The Eppinger Dardevle is one of the few lures that has lasted. Its bright wobbling makes it look like a hurt baitfish, which makes even the most wary pike bite. Red and white, Five of Diamonds, hammered silver, and chartreuse are all popular colours. Most problems can be handled by sizes between 3/4 oz and 1 1/2 oz. For the best results, cast towards the margins of weeds or troll around drop-offs.Popular color choices include red and white, the iconic Five of Diamonds, hammered silver for bright sunny conditions, and chartreuse for stained water.
Mepps Aglia Tandem In-Line Bucktail Spinners
Inline spinners are great for that are on the move. The blade that spins makes noise and light, which draws fish from far away. Gold and silver blades are conventional, but chartreuse and fire-tiger work nicely in dirty water. Get them back at a steady pace and change the speed until you find what makes them bite.For best results, retrieve them at a steady, moderate pace to keep the blade spinning smoothly, but don’t be afraid to experiment with speed changes or occasional pauses to trigger strikes from following fish.
Johnson Silver Minnow with Grub Trailer: Weedless Spoons
The Johnson Silver Minnow is the best choice for thick plants. Add a curly-tail grub to make it more appealing. You can move it through dense cover like cabbage, lily pads, and bulrushes without getting stuck because it doesn’t have any weeds.To increase its appeal, pairing the Silver Minnow with a curly-tail grub or soft plastic trailer adds extra bulk, movement, and scent, giving it a more realistic presentation.
Northland Reed-Runner Magnum spinnerbaits
Big spinnerbaits with willow blades look just like baitfish. The Northren pike fishing lures Reed-Runner Magnum is a reliable option, especially in colours likeorange and black and designs that look like perch. Add a trailer to make it more exciting. These baits work great in shallow bays and around the borders of reeds.One of the greatest advantages of spinnerbaits is their ability to cover water quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for locating active fish. The Reed-Runner Magnum excels in shallow bays, reed edges, and weedy flats, where pike often hide and ambush their prey.
Rapala X-Rap Magnum jerkbaits
The Rapala X-Rap Magnum works best when Northern Pike Fishing Lures are deep. It dives between 10 and 40 feet, making it excellent for trolling open water. It can handle big pike effortlessly because it is made with saltwater-grade hardware. It stays stable even when trolling at greater speeds.If you’re targeting trophy-sized pike in deep water, this lure is one of the best investments you can make. Its combination of depth capability, durability, and lifelike action makes it a go-to option for anglers who want consistent results season after season.
Swimbaits—Berkley Magic Swimmer
The Berkley Magic Swimmer moves like a real fish since it is made up of parts. This bait sinks slowly, which is great for fish that have been pressured and have seen regular spoons and spinners. Try a steady retrieve or add pauses to get extra strikes.Another advantage of the Berkley Magic Swimmer is its slow-sinking capability, which allows you to fish it at multiple depths depending on your retrieve speed and rod angle. This makes it an excellent choice for working shallow weed lines in early spring or probing deeper edges and drop-offs during the summer months.
Z-Man Big Blade Chatterbaits
The Z-Man Big Blade chatterbait makes a lot of noise. It works very well across weed beds and along margins. For the best effect, use it with a big curly-tail or paddletail trailer. Pike crush this lure when you stop, so don’t rush your retrieve.Another important factor is weight selection. Heavier chatterbaits (½ oz or ¾ oz) are great for deeper water or windy conditions, while lighter options excel in shallow, calm areas. This adaptability makes the Z-Man Big Blade a must-have in any pike angler’s arsenal.
Tips for Success with Pike (in Paragraph Form)
Always match the colour of your lure to the water’s clarity for the best results while fishing for Northern Pike Fishing lures. In clean water, natural hues like silver,white, or perch patterns are ideal, whereas in stained or muddy situations, brighter patterns such as chartreuse or fire-tiger perform well. Change the speed at which you retrieve and add pauses to your presentation. Many pike attacks happen when the lure stops for a time. Finally, pay attention to the best times to feed. Early mornings and late evenings are usually the best times, but cloudy days might keep the action going all day.
Last Thoughts
Northern pike fishing lures are active hunters who need sturdy gear and the appropriate way to offer the bait. These lures provide everything you need, from classic spoons and spinners to new swimbaits and chatterbaits. Fill your tackle box with a combination of these northern pike fishing lures, and change them as needed based on the weather. You’ll be ready to capture big fish.
