Pikes are a top predator fish and one of the most sought-after gamefish in North America. If you’re looking to land yourself a big pike, you’ll need the right equipment – and that starts with the best rod for Pike fishing. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top-rated rods for pike fishing, and help you choose the one that’s perfect for your needs. So read on to learn more!
Best Rod For Pike Fishing Reviews
1# Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
The Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod is a great choice for anglers looking for an incredibly strong and reliable rod. Featuring 35% more graphite than the GX2, this rod is built to handle even the strongest fish. The exposed blank style reel seat and Ugly Tuff 1-piece guides provide maximum strength and durability, while the clear Tip fibreglass tip helps you detect even the slightest bites. The premium cork grip provides a comfortable and sure grip, even in wet conditions.
2# St. Croix Premier Series Spinning Rod
If you’re looking for a great quality fishing rod that won’t break the bank, the St. Croix Premier Series Spinning Rod is perfect for you! Made with SCII graphite blanks and aluminium oxide guides, this rod is incredibly lightweight and sensitive, making it easy to handle and cast. Plus, the integrated poly curve technology ensures a smooth, crisp casting experience every time. So don’t miss out on this affordable but high-quality fishing rod – order your St. Croix Premier Series Spinning Rod today!
3# Berkley Lightning Rod Shock Spinning Rod
Lightning Rod rods are designed to take the shock out of using superlines. They have an extra backbone and feel so you can handle them with ease, and the small-diameter blank construction with 1K Power Helix carbon fibre material makes them some of the most sensitive rods on the market. Plus, their Strike Amplifying Tip picks up every nudge so you’re never left guessing where a bite is coming from again. And if that wasn’t good enough, they also come equipped with Suspending Reel Seats for maximum energy transmission – making them perfect for both fresh- and saltwater fishing alike!
4# Shimano Teramar Southeast Spinning Rod
Shimano Teramar rods are perfect for inshore fishing! These beautifully balanced rods provide a great experience with Shimano Top Shelf componentry. The TC4 blank is highly responsive and combines a double layer of T Glass with inner and outer spirals of high modulus graphite, affording superior strength without added weight. The action is crisp and dynamic, enhanced with Fuji New Concept Hardloy guides, Fuji reel seat and Grade A cork handles with a hook keeper. Get out on the water today with a Shimano Teramar Southeast Spinning Rod!
5# Bass Pro Shops Graphite Series Spinning Rod
The Bass Pro Shops Graphite Series Spinning Rod is a versatile and hardworking fishing tool. It’s built with an RT1 Graphite blank, stainless steel guides, and aluminium oxide inserts for extreme durability. The full cork grip provides a non-slip hold in wet conditions, while the graphite reel seat ensures a secure fit for your reel. This rod is designed to cast far, set hooks deep, and handle big fish without breaking.
6# Fenwick HMX Spinning Rod
The Fenwick HMX Spinning Rod was designed with one goal in mind: to provide anglers with an exceptional fishing experience. From the Sea Guide stainless steel guide frames and Zirconium oxide inserts to the TAC and cork handle, this rod is packed with features that make it a top-of-the-line option for any angler. So whether you’re chasing trout on a mountain stream or bass in the open water, the HMX Spinning Rod is ready to help you bring home your next big catch.
7# G.Loomis Classic Trout and Panfish Spinning Rod
Looking for a quality spinning rod that’s specifically designed for trout and panfish? Look no further than G.Loomis’ Classic Trout and Panfish Spinning Rod. It features a premium-grade cork handle that provides great control and balance, as well as an ultra-light to medium power rating – making it perfect for small freshwater species. Additionally, it has a moderate to fast taper that makes it remarkably strong and comes in three blank options: GL3, GLX, and IMX.
8# Falcon Coastal XG Spinning Rod
The Falcon Coastal XG spinning rod is the perfect choice for anglers who want a top-quality, durable rod that can handle even the most challenging fishing conditions. This 100% graphite rod is designed with input from leading inshore captains and features extra-tough Fuji chrome-finish stainless steel guides and a premium Fuji reel seat. It’s also backed by Falcon’s limited lifetime warranty.
9# Eagle Claw Trailmaster Series Pack Rod
The Eagle Claw Trailmaster Series Pack rod is good for the angler who wants a lightweight, durable rod that can handle any situation. The IM-7 Complex Composite blank ensures strength and sensitivity, while the aluminium oxide guides provide smooth operation. The contoured cork handle provides a comfortable grip, and the fighting butt gives you extra leverage when battling big fish. Plus, the included travel case keeps your rod safe and secure when you’re on the go. And with a Manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty, you can be sure that this rod will last for years to come.
10# Offshore Angler Power Plus Trophy Class Surf Spinning Rod
The Offshore Angler Power Plus Trophy Class Surf Spinning Rod provides you with a quality, value-priced option for surf fishing. The long, stout fibreglass blanks make it easy to cast heavy baits beyond the breakers and battle hard fighting fish. The stainless steel guides with aluminium oxide inserts reduce line friction and minimize wear. With its EVA grips, the Power Plus Trophy Class Surf Spinning Rod provides a secure grip even when your hands are wet.
11# Abu Garcia Veritas PLX Spinning Rod
Looking for a high-quality spinning rod that’s built to last? Look no further than the Abu Garcia Veritas PLX. Featuring advanced Powerlux 100 construction, this rod is strong yet lightweight, making it perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Plus, with its titanium alloy guides and Zirconium inserts, it offers superior durability and performance. Don’t miss out on the Abu Garcia Veritas PLX – order yours today!
12# St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
This Triumph Spinning Rod from St. Croix is a powerful, sensitive, and durable tool for serious anglers. It features a double-cured premium SCII carbon blank for great performance, Sea Guide Atlas Performance SS304 stainless steel guides for smooth action, and a Sea Guide XDPS reel seat for a solid connection between rod and reel. The cork handle provides a comfortable grip, and the manufacturer’s 5-year warranty gives you peace of mind.
13# Piscifun Torrent Spinning Rod IM7 Carbon Blank Freshwater
Introducing the Piscifun Torrent Spinning Rod – perfect for anglers looking for a lightweight, strong rod with consistent power. Constructed with a high-level IM7 X-shaped, Japanese Toray Carbon Fiber Blank, the Torrent is 10% lighter and 50% stronger than other rods. It’s available in power from ultra-light to medium-heavy and 6′ to 7’6″ in length, making it perfect for any situation.
14# KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rod
KastKing Perigee II Twin-Tip rods give you the best value for your money. Choose from a range of power options, all fitted with Fuji O-Ring guides and ergonomic graphite handles. Whether you’re looking for a light or heavy rod, KastKing has you covered. So don’t waste any more time – get yourself a KastKing Perigee II Twin-Tip rod today!
15# ABU GARCIA Beast Pro All-Round Pike Spinning Rod
ABU GARCIA’s Beast Pro Pike Spinning Rods are the perfect choice for serious anglers looking for the very best in pike fishing gear. Featuring high-quality 36T carbon blanks, X-WRAP technology, Fuji rings and seats, and grade A cork handles, these rods are designed to provide maximum power, responsiveness, strength and balance. So if you’re looking to land that big one, don’t settle for anything less than BEAST PRO.
FAQ
Conclusion
If you want to find the Best Rod For Pike Fishing, it can be difficult. There are so many different rods on the market that all seem to offer their own unique benefits and features. This article has taken care of some of the legwork for you by providing reviews for three top-rated products in this category: these include a quality product from Ugly Stik; an affordable option from Abu Garcia; and our favourite high-end rod with great performance – The Fenwick Eagle Spinning Combo. We hope that after reading through our comprehensive guide, you’ll have more information about how to choose your Best Rod For Pike Fishing!
I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).
All of my advice is based on practical real-world experience and will be useful to both novice anglers and professionals. Read more about the author.
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As someone who’s been fishing before but is new to buying their own gear and engaging with the sport, I’m looking for advice on what kind of rod/reel/line setup I should be getting to catch moderately-sized pike. While I doubt I’ll be catching any monsters at my usual spots, I still want to be prepared.
My current setup includes an Abu Garcia Cardinal 302i reel with a 5.1:1 ratio, 6 bearings, and an LBS/YDS rating of 6/175 8/140 10/115. My rod is a Shakespeare Outcast with a length of 6’6″, medium power, and slow action. For line, I’m currently using 10lb mono.
In addition to my setup, I’ve inherited a tackle box with a decent selection of Mepps spinners, Thompson spoons, and Rapala lures, although I’m still learning about the different types of lures. I also have a bunch of barrel-swivel braided steel leaders (6″, uncoated) and a spool of 20lb braided line. Any advice or suggestions on how to improve my setup for catching pike would be greatly appreciated!
As a fishing enthusiast who has caught my fair share of pike, I highly recommend using a medium-heavy power rod with a fast or extra-fast action for pike fishing. A length of around 7′ to 7’6″ is ideal, as it allows for good casting distance and control over the fish.
When it comes to specific brands and models, I’ve had great success with the St. Croix Mojo Pike rod. It’s designed specifically for pike fishing and has all the features I look for in a rod, including high-quality components, a comfortable grip, and excellent sensitivity.
Another great option is the Shimano Sellus spinning rod. It’s a bit more affordable than the St. Croix Mojo Pike but still offers great performance and durability. Plus, it has a sleek design that looks great on the water.
I completely agree with the previous post. As an experienced angler who loves pike fishing, I highly recommend using a medium-heavy to heavy power rod with fast action for pike fishing. A rod that is at least 7 feet in length will give you the leverage you need to handle bigger fish and make longer casts.
Some of my favorite pike fishing rods include the St. Croix Mojo Pike, Okuma EVX-C-751H-Tb, and Shimano Clarus 7’6″ Heavy. All of these rods are designed specifically for pike fishing and have the sensitivity, strength, and power to handle these big predators.
It’s important to pair your rod with a quality reel that has a high line capacity and a sturdy drag system. I personally like using the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ and Penn Battle II for pike fishing, as they are both durable and reliable.
Finally, make sure to choose a line that is strong enough to handle the weight and power of the pike. I recommend using a braided line with a test weight of at least 30 lbs. This will give you the strength and sensitivity you need to feel the bite and set the hook effectively.
As someone who has been fishing for a while, I would recommend using a medium-heavy rod with a matching reel for Pike fishing. For beginners, a fast-action or moderate fast-action rod is better. Brands like Penn, Daiwa, Shimano, and a few others offer reasonably priced combos that include a decent reel.
While your current rod is okay for live bait fishing for many species, you will need a better setup for lure fishing. If you can, post a picture of your lures with something for scale to help with suggesting a rod.
It’s important to note that the rod, line, reel, and lures need to fit into a certain range for the best performance. The rods are rated for specific lure and line sizes, and you should add a reel that matches the rod for balance and line rating. Using a lighter line that fits with the rod and reel will help your lures cast better.
For inexperienced anglers, I suggest getting a combo that includes a rod and reel. As far as braid goes, the line is usually stronger than the rod’s rating. To set the drag, base it on the lower rating between the rod and line. For instance, if you are using a 20 lb braid that exceeds the medium power rod’s rating, set your drag at 10-12 lbs, which is the maximum the rod is rated for in mono line.
I have found that my Fenwick HMG rods in Medium power have performed exceptionally well when handling large pike over 20 lbs and carp up to 25 lbs. I believe that the drag system plays a crucial role in ensuring that the fight with the fish goes smoothly.
I would also like to add that when it comes to pike fishing, using a steel leader is crucial as 10lb fluoro is often too thin and can easily break when a pike bites. If I choose to use fluoro for pike, I usually opt for at least 30lb or even 50 or 70lb.
While it’s true that a big bait season can attract the larger fish, I have also had success with a smaller bait. For instance, I once caught a 17lb pike on a 1/8oz jig head with half a minnow, and have also caught 20lb and 22lb pikes on 4-inch husky jerks. I have even witnessed a 23lb pike being caught on a 4” curly tail grub.
In my opinion, price doesn’t always equal quality when it comes to fishing rods. I have personally had great experiences with the Ugly Stik brand. One time, I accidentally left my rod behind on a long-distance fishing trip and decided to splurge on a more expensive rod and reel combo, which cost me $100.
Unfortunately, the rod ended up breaking on the first large fish I caught, and the reel only lasted two seasons. This was especially frustrating for me since I typically fish from a kayak, which can be tough on equipment.
A similar thing happened to me on my honeymoon recently when I only had five rod and reel combos with me, but my wife was with me, and NY allows only three per person. I decided to go with a cheaper option and purchased a $40 Daiwa rod and reel combo. While I was happy with the reel, the rod ended up snapping like a pencil when I caught a lake trout while bass fishing in Schroon Lake.
I’ve been using Ugly Stik rods for about 30 years now, and they’ve never let me down except for the time I accidentally slammed one in a trunk lid. I’m convinced that the Ugly Stik 300X is practically indestructible.
I completely agree that the price of a rod doesn’t necessarily indicate its quality. I’ve had both expensive and budget rods break on me, and it’s almost always due to user error. However, I do believe that a more expensive rod can last longer if you take care of it properly, and manufacturers are usually meticulous with their construction. In fact, if something does happen to an expensive rod, the manufacturer will usually replace it for free.
In my personal experience, I’ve broken several $300+ rods, but because I spent the extra money, the companies have always replaced them. Of course, there are cases where a rod breaks due to bad batches or manufacturing defects, but a warranty will usually cover it if you’ve invested in quality gear.
That being said, I also believe that Ugly Stiks are a great option for those on a budget. I’ve owned one for years and it has been through a lot of abuse. It’s a sturdy rod that can take a beating and still perform well. But, it’s not fair to say that expensive rods don’t hold up or that $100 rods aren’t worth it. It really depends on your personal experience and fishing style.
When it comes to pike fishing, the ideal rod is on the medium-heavy to the heavy side, typically around 8-9ft. This is because big baits require big rods for catching big fish, and a steel leader is also recommended. On the other hand, for trout fishing, a med-light to ultra-light 7ft rod is ideal for more delicate fishing with smaller lures/spinners.
In terms of sensitivity, the length of the rod doesn’t typically play a role. It’s more about the material and building quality of the rod. However, it’s important to note that these two different setups will likely require two different reel/line setups.
Using a medium-light rod with a light line is perfect for trout, but it won’t have the backbone or breaking strength needed to reel in a pike. So, unfortunately, two different rod/reel setups will likely be necessary.
Alternatively, you could opt for an Ugly Stick and two different reels. While it may not be the most sensitive or have the most backbone, it’s certainly durable and reliable. And with the right setup, you can have a great time fishing for both trout and pike.
I agree with the previous commenter that the lure weight is a major factor when choosing a rod for pike fishing. As someone who uses Muskie gear for pike, I often throw lures weighing up to 8oz. Using a heavy bass rod with a lower weight rating of around 1-1.25oz for these big baits is not a good idea and can lead to a frustrating experience.
Even an extra heavy rod typically has a weight rating of only around 2oz. Therefore, if you are looking for a budget option for handling heavy baits, I recommend the Shimano Sojourn Muskie and the Bass Pro Graphite Series Muskie rods.
These low-budget options have the capability to cast big, heavy baits with their longer butt length, providing a more comfortable and efficient experience. Using a short butt rod for casting heavy baits on a bass rod can become very tiring and uncomfortable quickly.