Pike setup advice

Hey guys, I’m heading up to Canada with the wife at the end of June so I’m starting to get my gear ready. I’m well setup for all types of walleye fishing, but I definitely have a gap in my rod rotation for pike fishing. And we do want to do some pike fishing while we are up there, especially if walleye fishing is slow during the day.

I’d like to pick up two rods, so we each have a setup, I’m leaning towards casting rods with braid, I just can’t settle on the rod specifics.

I have found a few of the mid-level Fenwick rods that feel pretty nice, I want something light enough that we won’t get worn out if we do a fair amount of casting. Problem is the rods will probably be multi-purpose.

1. Casting spoons, spinners, small bucktails, larger crankbaits.
2. Trolling larger or deep diving crankbaits(large husky jerks, that kind of thing).

I’m leaning towards something in the 7′ range, medium heavy, what action though? I’ve seen moderate and fast, I’m thinking moderate would be good for trolling purposes since I’ll be using braid, but would fast be preferred for casting?

Also, trying to decide on what reel style. Low profile vs. a traditional style. Generally I like the low profile for casting, but the traditional style for trolling…

I have a Med Heavy St Croix with a fast tip that I really like, especially for trolling as the fast tip is easy to tell when your lure gets fouled up. I wouldn’t shy away from a spinning rod for the wife, if she isn’t familiar with a baitcaster, it could save you both some backlash headaches.

Just my opinion but I never over think northern fishing…especially in Canada. Medium to medium/heavy-moderate action is what I’m using. I use the same reel on ALL my rods so I can easily swap out spools to change line quickly…and you guessed it, I have president reels. What’s more important for me while catching northerns in Canada is that I have a large enough net. LOL

You can’t really go wrong with a 7′-7’6 MH rod, no matter what you get, it’ll probably suffice. Spinning will work just fine, however a casting setup will give you a little more drag and line capacity. As far as moderate vs fast actions, you’re right about moderate doing better for trolling and fast doing better for casting. If you cast larger baits, the fast action won’t matter as much, the size of the baits will load up even a moderate rod decently well. Vice versa, if you troll with lighter baits like Husky Jerks or other “non-musky” sized baits, a fast action shouldn’t have an issue with it. Basically the only situation I would really be concerned in is if you wanted to cast lighter stuff and troll bigger stuff. But again, you’ll probably be fine with whatever you do.

ClownColor wrote:

Just my opinion but I never over think northern fishing

X2

As a side note, I was at Joe’s last night looking at rods and what’s the deal with St. Croix’s ‘Legend Glass’ series of rods. ~$250 for a fiberglass rod? Can anyone explain why you would need such an expensive glass rod? Maybe there have been some advancements in fiberglass rod technology or something?

I’ve gone back and forth on spinning vs. casting for the wife, she has used a baitcaster before, and as long as she’s using heavier lures like spoons she’s been pretty good. I personally feel you get less fatigued using a casting rod vs. spinning if bringing in bigger lures, and I like the casting better for trolling, but spinning is less prone to issues…

Anyone have any suggestions for reels?

philtickelson wrote:

As a side note, I was at Joe’s last night looking at rods and what’s the deal with St. Croix’s ‘Legend Glass’ series of rods. ~$250 for a fiberglass rod? Can anyone explain why you would need such an expensive glass rod? Maybe there have been some advancements in fiberglass rod technology or something?

Some bass fisherman like the slow action of glass for crankbaits and they’ll pay more for a Croix that says “Legend” on it. I doubt there’s many factory glass rods out there built with mid-upper level components so the choices are limited. I’m sure they’re very nice rods for the right application.

philtickelson wrote:

Anyone have any suggestions for reels?

You got a price range for both rod and reel?

BigWerm wrote:

I have a Med Heavy St Croix with a fast tip that I really like, especially for trolling as the fast tip is easy to tell when your lure gets fouled up. I wouldn’t shy away from a spinning rod for the wife, if she isn’t familiar with a baitcaster, it could save you both some backlash headaches.

Big Werm nailed it.

nhamm wrote:

Just my opinion but I never over think northern fishing

Not me, I can overthink this like a champ. That said 6’6″ or 7’0″ Med Heavy Fast action in a mid-quality rod will do anyone just fine. There’s a few threads over in the Pike/Muskie forum with more details.

For me it’s lighter lures on spinning and heavier lures on casting rods.

Reels? Good question, so much personal preference going on here.

I’ve been running Ambassadeur 6500 series for many years. Not the most popular but they work. I am a mono guy for pike so the extra line capacity is nice. Might be too big in the hand for some and low pro reels would be a better choice.

Spinning: I run a discontinued Pflueger Purist 40 series but would be fine with a President.

tswoboda wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>philtickelson wrote:</div>
As a side note, I was at Joe’s last night looking at rods and what’s the deal with St. Croix’s ‘Legend Glass’ series of rods. ~$250 for a fiberglass rod? Can anyone explain why you would need such an expensive glass rod? Maybe there have been some advancements in fiberglass rod technology or something?

Some bass fisherman like the slow action of glass for crankbaits and they’ll pay more for a Croix that says “Legend” on it. I doubt there’s many factory glass rods out there built with mid-upper level components so the choices are limited. I’m sure they’re very nice rods for the right application.

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>philtickelson wrote:</div>
Anyone have any suggestions for reels?

You got a price range for both rod and reel?

I think I have the rods more or less picked out, a few of the Fenwick HMG/EliteTech type rods seem to fit the bill nicely. As for reels, if I do end up getting a spinning setup then I’m find with a Sahara or something in that 60-80 price range. My past experience with baitcasters though is that it’s worth paying a bit more. I’d probably go up to 80-120 per reel on the baitcaster side. Right now I’m thinking low profile as I’ll probably go braid and those are just lighter/less fatiguing to use.

And yes, I realize 8-120 is nowhere near the ‘high’ price range on a baitcasting reel :).

I fish Pike alot. I use Abu Garcis reels. Mostly 5500’s. Unless you are a dedicated Pike guy there is no reason to blow big bucks on the rod or reel. Spend your money on quality line & leaders.

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philtickelson wrote:

I’ve gone back and forth on spinning vs. casting for the wife, she has used a baitcaster before, and as long as she’s using heavier lures like spoons she’s been pretty good. I personally feel you get less fatigued using a casting rod vs. spinning if bringing in bigger lures, and I like the casting better for trolling, but spinning is less prone to issues…

Anyone have any suggestions for reels?

One thing that cannot be overlooked is the superior accuracy of baitcasting vrs spinning reels. While thumbing the spool on a baitcaster, you can put on the brakes instantly. So you can confidently cast full throttle towards shoreline structure, docks, weeds, without hooking the trees, brush, rocks, dock, or whatever else.

And by thumbing the reel towards the end of the cast, that also allows you to straighten your bucktail or tandem spinner as soon as it hits the water and have the blades spinning immediately as you begin your retrieve.

With a spinning reel you’re just kind of flinging your lure in the general direction and hope you don’t over-shoot your target.

I like the Abu Garcia like Dutchboy suggested but I have only the 6500c’s being that I target muskie a lot. Once you get used to them, they cast like a dream.

I’ll challenge any bass guy with a baitcaster with my spinning.

nhamm wrote:

I’ll challenge any <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>bass guy with a baitcaster with my spinning.

How about an old muskie hound?

Careful Nick, us baitcaster guys don’t play fair. While you are tossing your 1/8 th to 1/4 oz jigs we will be bombing away with stuff starting at 3/4 oz and moving up as needed.

I like spinning setups…3500 series Penn Battle reel with a medium heavy fast action rod. 25# braid is usually the ticket for me. I like throwing a variety of baits and I don’t like big baitcasters for plastics.

I’m like Nick…..bring on the baitcaster accuracy challenge!

Dutchboy wrote:

I fish Pike alot. I use Abu Garcis reels. Mostly 5500’s. Unless you are a dedicated Pike guy there is no reason to blow big bucks on the rod or reel. Spend your money on quality line & leaders.

Yup. 5500’s is where it’s at for pike!

MNdrifter wrote:

Yup. 5500’s is where it’s at for pike!

And 6500c’s for muskie…which works well for big pike too. BTW, where is bigpike? Or Mr. Pike?

Matt Moen wrote:

I’m like Nick…..bring on the baitcaster accuracy challenge!

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Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
I’ll challenge any <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>bass guy with a baitcaster with my spinning.

How about an old <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>muskie hound?

Sign me up for that challenge! I can close a bail about as fast as hitting the thumb brake.