Pike fishing is one of the most exciting big game fishing experiences in North America! The sheer size and power of these fish holds many fisherman in awe, almost to the point of intimidation. These fish will attack a fishing lure with an unbridled fervor that many fisherman can't resist. So how do you catch these lake-dwelling titans? Luckily, pike fishing lures tend to fall into only three major categories. If you can figure these out, and when to use them, you too can catch a trophy northern pike!

Pike Fishing Lure Types

Unlike many freshwater fishing, or even other big game species, pike tend to be caught on only a handful of lure types. Northern pike have a pretty specific diet consisting of other fish. If a fisherman can figure out what species of fish the pike are feeding on, he can change his fishing lure accordingly. Of these types of pike fishing lures, three major groups tend to stand out:

• Spinners, which merely consist of s spinning blade rotating around a metal shaft with a treble hook at the end, are a truly classic pike fishing lure. Many of these fishing lures feature "skirts" consisting of buck-tail, feathers, or strands of plastic or rubber. The central wire is also usually dressed with beads or other flashy coverings, adding to the lures appeal. Some spinners even feature double treble hooks, allowing for more sure hook sets!
• Jerks Baits, or plugs as they are also known, are also a very classic, and very effective lures for pike. These fishing baits are designed to resemble and behave like large, frightened or wounded bait fish. Constructed of heavy wood or hard, durable plastic, with an internal wire which connects the hooks to the bait (which there can be up to four!) these fishing lures are made to take a beating. Another feature usually incorporated into the jerk bait is a lip on either the front or back which aids in it's dying fish action.
• Lastly a new kind of lure is quickly becoming popular among northern pike fisherman. The Swimbait features a body often constructed of durable soft rubber with a wire core much like a jerk bait. These fishing lures also feature the plug's diving lip. What sets these pike fishing baits apart however, is their highly mobile tails which impart an incredibly life-like swimming action to the bait. Also contributing to their increasing popularity is the simple retrieve used with the lure which is simply cast out and reeled back in.

Pike Fishing Lure Selection

Now that we know that some of the most popular pike fishing lures are, it's time to learn when and how to use them. Just like any other game fish, northern pike can be temperamental. It's important to know what lure to throw and how to present it when pike are being choosy. Pike also enjoy ambushing their prey from thick cover, which can also effect your lure choice when targeting these powerful predators.

• In early season, in-line spinners can be your best bet for attracting and catching aggressive northern pike. To use a spinner, simply cast the lure out and reel it in, it's that simple! Many spinners also feature wire deed-guards which are incredible for targeting fish in dense vegetation. Also consider adding a scented plastic trailer, such as a curly tail, to your spinner. The added bulk and scent will attract more, larger fish.
• Jerk Baits are a great option for when pike are sluggish or unresponsive to other fishing lures. Cast the lure out and bring it in with a jerk/pause retrieve, alternating the number of jerks and the length of the pause until the fish respond. This technique can be deadly for sluggish pike as the lure can remain within the "strike zone" for a much larger period of time. Jerk baits can also be trolled behind the boat, allowing for the coverage of great amounts of water when searching for patrolling northerns.
• Swimbaits can be fished in a truly wide variety of situations. While a simple cast and reel presentation can be deadly for active pike, a more subtle, or more erratic retrieve may be necessary. Consider using the swim bait like a hyper-active jerk bait, with long sweeping pulls and sudden stops. Or perhaps pike are lying deep, you can even use some swimbaits like large jigs, allowing you to fish deep water effectively.