Spinnerbait Fishing for Pike - Unforgettable strikes and tight lines with a spinnerbait!
Spinnerbait fishing is an effective method for targeting pike, especially during warm water conditions. Generally, the best time for spinnerbait fishing is from May to September. A spinnerbait is equipped with blades and hooks and resembles a "hanger," which is cast and retrieved straight towards the boat without stopping.
What is a spinnerbait?
A spinnerbait, or "hanger," is a bent lure that is almost weed-free. It is often made from materials such as tinsel, bucktail, or dyed silicone strips. Besides the material differences, hangers typically feature two types of blades. One is a long, narrow willowleaf blade. The other commonly used type is a much rounder blade known as a Colorado blade. It's important to consider this when purchasing, as the willowleaf runs a bit deeper and generates only a slight pressure pulse in the water but produces more flash. The Colorado blade, on the other hand, pushes the hanger closer to the water surface and creates significantly more pressure in the water. Both have their uses, depending on the depth and style of fishing (slow/fast). More on this in the fishing technique section.
Gear Essentials
For this style of fishing to be both fun and effective, the equipment must be correctly sized, especially with the looming threat of a big pike around the corner. A 30cm-40cm jerk leader can be used. The most important aspect, however, is that the leader is stiff to prevent the spinnerbait from tangling with it.
The thickness of the braided line should be between 0.30 mm and 0.40 mm, which allows the spinnerbait to be effectively pulled free from the reeds if necessary.
The optimal rod for pike fishing is a somewhat stiff, tip-action rod, approximately 240 cm to 280 cm in length. The rod’s lure recommendation should be chosen based on the weight of the spinnerbaits being used. Larger spinnerbaits can have a heavy retrieval resistance due to the size of the blades, whereas the smallest spinnerbaits can be cast with almost any pike fishing rod. Almost all jerk rods will suffice to start with, but a slightly longer rod will enable longer casts and better exhaustion properties.
A baitcasting reel is the best choice, although spinnerbaits can also be cast with a spinning reel. A high-quality and reliable reel is the Daiwa Lexa 300.
If the spinnerbait comes with only one hook when purchased, it is highly advisable to add an additional single-barbed hook. Choose the size of the added hook to match the original hook of the spinnerbait, e.g., sizes 3/0, 4/0, etc. To maximize the effectiveness of the spinnerbait, consider adding a large jig tail to the “tail hook”. Be bold in trying different sizes and color combinations. To start, having three different-colored spinnerbaits like the Savage Gear Da Bush 42g and the Rento Predator 49g will cover you throughout the fishing season. NOTE! Always carry a hook sharpener, as the spinnerbait only has two hooks which need to be exceptionally sharp. Spinnerbaits are conveniently carried in a wallet designed specifically for this purpose.
Fishing Technique
In pike fishing, as in fishing generally, it is crucial to pay special attention to the prevailing weather conditions. In spring, when the water is cold, most of the time should be spent on slow-paced retrieval. In spinnerbait fishing, this means casting the lure close to the reeds and allowing it to sink towards the bottom. Start reeling when the lure is near the bottom, reeling at a very calm pace towards the boat or shore. There should be no stops or jerks, as the spinnerbait only functions while reeling! If there’s no strike during the reel, perform a few back-and-forth movements near the boat. Sometimes a pike that has followed the lure might strike at this stage.
As the waters warm up, the effective fishing style becomes much faster-paced. Cast the lure to the base of the reeds or intentionally a bit beyond. Stop the cast just before the lure hits the water, allowing the spinnerbait to straighten out and be almost weed-free. Reel the lure back very quickly towards the boat, letting it occasionally break the surface. Finally, if no strike occurs, perform similar back-and-forth movements near the boat. Grip your rod tightly, as strikes in this style of fishing are brutal!
It's always good to carry a few spinnerbaits with you. Often, nothing seems to work until you try cranking the spinnerbait on turbo mode. This overload of stimulation is irresistible to pike. Unforgettable strikes and tight lines with a spinnerbait!
Text:
Petri Tallqvist / Neon Baits
