A pike outfit has to do two things that don’t always agree: cast heavy lures or baits, and stop a fish that may weigh over 20lb. You can buy a combo for the price of a few lures or spend the price of a decent second-hand car, and the cheap end does catch pike. What matters is that the rod and reel suit the way you fish.
Some product links in this post are affiliate links to Total Fishing Tackle and Fishing Tackle & Bait. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How that works.
Two outfits, not one
Most pike anglers end up with two types of rod, because lures and deadbaits ask for different things.
Lure rods are rated by casting weight in grams. For most UK pike lure fishing, 20 to 80g covers the usual shads, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, and bigger lures need a heavier rating. Length is typically 7 to 8ft for accuracy on rivers and canals, and 8ft or longer for distance on open water. Our lure fishing for pike guide covers this.
Deadbait rods are rated by test curve in pounds, as with carp rods, and are usually longer, around 11 to 12ft, to cast heavy baits and control a fish at distance. 2.75 to 3.5lb is the typical range. Our test curve guide explains the system.
Lure rods to consider
- Entry level: the Daiwa Predator-D Pike Lure rod (9ft, 15-50g) is an affordable way into lure fishing. The Fox Rage Warrior Shad and Spin (210cm, 20-60g) is a similar price range.
- Mid range: the Fox Rage Warrior Pike Spin (240cm, 50-120g) handles a wide range of larger lures. The Fox Rage Prism X Pike Cast (230cm, 40-140g) is a heavier casting option.
- For long sessions: the Fox Rage Prism X Lure and Shad (270cm, 15-70g) is long and light enough to fish all day for finesse and larger shads.
- For jerkbaits: a short, stiff rod like the Fox Rage Warrior Jerk Rod (180cm, 30-80g).
Deadbait rods to consider
A deadbait rod needs a through action to cast large baits and absorb the pull of a running fish. Two sensible places to start are the Daiwa Predator-D Pike Deadbait (12ft, 3.5lb) and the Fox Rage Warrior 12ft Deadbait Rod (2.75lb). The Fox Rage Predator Elite Pro Deadbait Rod is a step up if you plan to fish regularly. If you fish from a boat, shorter 10ft rods rated 3.5lb exist for that, so check the rod description before you buy.
Reels: spinning or baitcasting?
Fixed-spool (spinning) reels are the easy, forgiving choice. They cast light and heavy lures, they’re simple to use, and a size 4000 to 5000 reel holds enough 30 to 50lb braid for pike work. Look for a smooth drag and a solid body. Options include the Daiwa BG 4500A, the Savage Gear Thoriz C3000 and the cheaper Okuma Revenger 4000A. Our top 10 spinning reels page has more.
Baitcasters let you cast heavy lures accurately and retrieve them with power, and they suit jerkbaits and big swimbaits. They take practice because you control the spool with your thumb to prevent birds’ nests. If you want to try one, the Fox Rage Prism X Baitcast Reel is built for predator fishing. Our top 10 baitcaster reels page covers other options. Pair it with a rod built for baitcasting, because a spinning rod won’t sit properly with one.
Matching rod and reel
The rod’s casting weight should cover your heaviest lure with some margin. The reel’s line capacity should hold at least 100 to 150m of your chosen braid. Balance matters too. If you hold the rod at the handle and the reel pulls the tip down, you’ll tire quickly.
If you’re on a budget, I’d spend more on the rod than the reel. A good rod improves casting and fish control for years, while a mid-priced reel from a known brand will usually last as long as your attention to maintenance does.
Looking after pike gear
Rinse reels after use, especially in wet autumn conditions, and check guides for cracks that could fray braid. Keep your rod tubes or sleeves dry.
Gear that fits this
If you’re kitting out for this, these fit.
For lures, Salmo Slider 10cm, Strike Pro Buster Jerk 15cm and Savage Gear 4D Line Thru Trout 15cm are all worth carrying.
Bait-side picks: Allcock Pike Slider float, Holy Mackerel Predator Syringe Kit and Fox Rage Deadbait Kebab Kit.
Gear that fits this
Some options that match this approach, grouped by type.
Lures worth adding: Salmo Pike Crank Bait 11cm Hot Pike.
Questions anglers ask
What rod do I need for pike lure fishing?
A 7 to 8ft rod rated 20 to 80g handles most pike lures, and heavier ratings suit bigger lures and jerkbaits.
What size reel for pike?
A 4000 to 5000 size fixed-spool reel holds enough 30 to 50lb braid and has a drag to match. Go larger if you cast big lures regularly.
Do I need separate rods for lures and deadbaits?
Ideally yes. Lure rods are rated by casting weight and are shorter, while deadbait rods are rated by test curve and are longer. A rod built for one doesn’t suit the other well.
Dan Whitfield grew up in Liverpool and started fishing aged seven on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at the end of his road. He never really stopped. He spent his twenties and thirties on the match circuit – club level rather than national – before deciding he’d rather catch one decent fish than a net of small ones.
These days he mostly fishes the River Dee for barbel and chub (barbel personal best 14lb 2oz, from the Trent on a trip south), the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for roach and skimmers in winter, and the occasional gravel pit when tench are spawning and the surface fishing is too good to miss. He’s a former club secretary and coaches children on Saturday mornings at a junior section of a Liverpool angling club, where most sessions start with a float, a tin of maggots and a lot of patience.
At The River Bend, Dan writes the coarse species guides, river fishing technique articles, and the match and pole content.
Covers: Barbel, bream, roach, tench, carp (coarse context), river fishing, canal fishing, feeder, float, match/pole