Gear Advice - Pike Fishing

[Michigan Piker]

I have an Ontario trip planned for the fall, and am looking to upgrade my Pike fishing outfit. I don't get to fish Pike as much as I'd like (few time per year). I currently use an 8'6" MH Eagle Claw with a Shimano 4000 series. It has always done the job, but I think I'd like to get something a little lighter.

 

From my research so far, it seems that I have a choice of Muskie rods (6'6" Heavy Action casting) or a few "pike" rods (9'5" - 11'). Neither option seems very appealing. I think I'd like to stay in the 7.5' - 8.5' range.

 

Does anyone have a particular outfit that they really like for Pike. The only requirments I have is that it can handle 1.5 oz - 2.0 oz lures, and doesn't cost more than $120.

 

Your insights would be greatly appreciated. There seems to be a lack of advertised "pike" outfits.

 

Also, We're headed to Shaol Lake in Ontario, so if anyoone has had experience fishing it, I'd love to hear what it is like.

 

Thanks!

[BillM]

I use a bass rig with 20lb braid and a decent leader.

 

Shimano Citica 100DSV and a Clarus 7' MH rod. Had no issues with the fish in my avatar (25lb range)

[cranks bait]

I also like to use a 7' MH baitcast setup. Lined with 50lbs Power Pro. I fish Pike and smallies. Never broke off, or lack for senitivity.

[trapshooter]

whatever you do, don't get a muskie rod. it will be too heavy (not much flex) and you won't be able to throw pike sized baits very far with it.

 

I agree with cranks bait, go with something in the 7' range, MH power, fast action, bait caster set-up.

 

Look around on-line, you should be able to get a decent combo from bass pro or cabela's.

[mepps]

I think the Pete Maina combos at BPS are a good choice at a fair price. My fishing partner used one last spring for pike ( I think he had an 8 foot rod) and was very impressed with the quality.

[Markystang]

I'm running a 7"MH baitcaster(BPS Bionic Blade), Abu C4 with 50lb PowerPro. I think it's perfect for pike.

[SlowPoke]

I have a St. Croix Triumph 7' MH Casting Rod that is ideal for Pike. It'll chuck 1.5oz lure just fine and has a lot of backbone without losing sensitivity. I would imagine you could find a spinning equivelent in the Triumph line and it will be around $100.

I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

-Brian

[FishHeadRic]

Do you want to spend 120 on both rod and reel or just the rod? Also do you want to stay with a spinning set up or move onto a bait-casting one? Is this rod going to be used from your/a boat? Or primarialy from shore? Are you looking fo a 1 or 2 piece?

 

If you want to spend 120 on just the rod you'll have a a lot of rods to choose from. The St Croix Triumph series that Slow Poke suggested is a good one. There's also their premier series. Fenwick, HMG series, HMX series is also right in that ball park. Shimano V-rods have been popping up on sale for right around 120... All Star also has a few in that range. Rogue, Diawa, Seeker,Berkley, Quantum... All have great rods.

One of my favorite outfits is an 8'6" St Croix, Wild River Heavy power, fast action paired with a Quantum Catalyst 40. I also run a 10'6" Berkley Series One, Medium power, with a Abu Ambassadeur 1st gen Morrum.

 

FHR

[Michigan Piker]

Thanks for the responses. Looks as though most folks use a baitcast set-up, with a rod that will double for bass fishing. Seems reasonable to me.

 

To and FHR's question, I would prefer to stick with a spinning reel, as that is what I've used my entire life. I boat fish, and would prefer a 2-piece for travel purposes (not a must).

 

Looks as though the Quantum Energy comes in a 7'4" M, F, up to 1.5 oz.lure - priced at $99, which may be somethign to look at. Unfortunately FHR, the the 8'6" Wild River costs a little more than I want to spend on a rod alone. Looks nice though.

 

Any further suggestions welcome, and thanks again for your insights!

 

p.s. Noone has comments on Shoal Lake?

[linweir]

For casting, any good bass gears are enough.

[BFSC Kevin]

For casting, any good bass gears are enough.

 

ditto.

[capt bruce]

keep the rod you got and maybe upgrade the reel to something a little lighter , Shoal lake is a great place for pike , Ontario Out of Doors Magazine rated Shoal Lake as the number 1 drive to northern pike lake in Ontario. The lodge is first rate and I know theres lots of Kesagami fans here (also a great place ) but if I had the choice I would go back to Shoal before kesagami , but booth are great trips . imho

[FishHeadRic]

For the price range you're looking at you can't go wrong with a St Croix Primier series.... http://www.stcroixrods.com/rods/default2.a...mp;section=spin (Just clict the "ROD SPECS" tab under the pics of the rods) With out a doubt they're one of the best rods you can in the 100$ range. I have an ultra lite and just bought the 8' Primier Surf this winter. Great rods! My next suggestion would be a Fenwick HMG. Mayby a bit more but well worth it. I have 3 Fenwicks and love them all. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/prod.php?k=7...%20%20(1117412)

 

 

FHR

Edited March 6, 2008 by FishHeadRic

[sharper]

I'm using a MH spinning rod with 10lb fireline. Haven't had any troubles yet, just remember to use a leader.

[trapshooter]

If shoal lake compares to Kesagami then you're going to want something a little more substantial then bass gear with 10lb test. Fishing a lake like Kesagami, you could easily tie into a pike of a lifetime and you want to be ready. If you're willing to spend hundreds or into the thousands of dollars on the trip do yourself a favour and pick up a quality rod and reel. A spinning combo is fine but look for something MH and a reel with a larger line capacity and good drag. Braided line is the way to go with spinning reels since you don't want to put over 12lb test mono on a spinning reel.

[BFSC Kevin]

curado 201DHSV with 20lb stren super braid on a mh cruical

[urbanangler1990]

7 MH quantum catalyst, with a abu c3 baitcast, 30 lb power pro