Jerkbait and Big Lure tackle for Pike
May 2004
I'm not going to waste much time trying to convert anyone to big lures for pike fishing. Quite simply lures in the 5" to 10" size range will catch big (i.e. 10lb+) pike far more consistently than smaller lures. This article is about the tackle and lures that I use and can recommend. For the rest of this piece the word "bait" means any lure.
Rods first, I use three rods to cover all my big lure requirements. Two are made by DLST (Dave Lumb Specialist Tackle). The basic all-round big lure rod is the Prowler Plus, 6 feet long and capable of casting and working baits in the 3/4oz to 4oz range, it will cast heavier lures but will not work some of them effectively. For heavier baits or those that require a stiffer action to work them I use the Sledge Hammer 2, this will cast from 1oz up to just about anything you could want but does have enough give to make playing a lively fish at boatside reasonably comfortable, although not as sweet as with the Prowler Plus. Recently (2003) I've used the Harris Angling LurePro Bulldogger for casting heavy lures, its stiffness does make hurling heavy lures a lot easier. I always use the Prowler Plus if I can, but there are plenty of times when I have to switch to the stiffer gear.
Reels are of course multipliers and I've settled for now on ABUs either 6501c3 or 5501c3. They keep the line tidy, cast well and are reliable enough, but I confess to one or two problems with both of mine. I keep them oiled and clean them periodically, but they are not as smooth as they were new, they seem to lose their "new" smoothness quickly and settle down to an acceptable but definitely worn feel, they seem to go on for a long time after this initial loss of smoothness, but things do wear out, the return spring for the freespool and the level wind need replacing periodically. I have them serviced every year or so at Reel Value, it's not difficult to learn to service them yourself, but I always seem to end up with bits left over if I take them to pieces! After 6 years practice I don't give much thought to casting now and the learning problems are all behind me, I can get better distance now with the multipliers than I can with a fixed spool reel, using the same lures, and even minor birds' nests are extremely rare.
ABU Spares are available from
Abu Garcia Service
Unit 5, Aston Way
Middlewich
Cheshire
CW10 0HS
Telephone: (01606) 738483
Line has to be braid, either, Mason Tiger Braid in 50lb b.s. or Power Pro in 80lb and 100lb. The Powerpro is 100% Spectra while the Tiger Braid has a polyester yarn twisted into the Spectra. The Tiger braid is much thicker than the Power Pro, reducing casting distance slightly, and retains more water when retrieved, in the winter your hands notice the extra cold spray compared to the Power Pro. The Tiger Braid is very reliable and perhaps a little tougher than the Power Pro. The water absorbed by the polyester means that Tiger Braid sinks, but its extra thickness stops lures going as deep as they might. I know that such strong line sounds absurd for pike fishing, but if you try to reduce the strength you will have problems with crack-offs when casting. I've tried thinner braids, 50lb and 65lb Power Pro are OK for trolling, but wholly inadequate for belting out a big lure a long way.
Leader wire has to be reliable, the casting forces will break thin wire exactly as they will break weak braid. I use 90lb test Malin Seven Strand from Rok-Max(UK), this is heavier than my friends, who seem to have settled on the 60lb test version. I have no plans to change, my leaders last a long time, and I have not a shred of doubt that the pike could not care less. I have made some 60lb leaders that I will use on a few surface baits where the lighter weight improves presentation. Swivels in 100lb test and duolock clips of either 50lb or 80lb test complete the leaders. I have yet to make my mind up whether I really need the heavier clips, although I will probably go that way. I always twist rather than crimp the ends and then tidy up with a piece of shrink tube to keep frayed ends from gathering weed. With such thick wire it is easy to spot damage and I usually find the clips are worn out before the wire is. Long and painful experience means that I check the leader regularly, I find I do it without really thinking about it, it's a great habit. Now in 2004 I've used titanium leaders for a season or so, desite the expense they are worth the money, they last indefinitely and in low-risk (as regards snagging) situations they are the number one choice. You can catch dozens of fish on the same leader without having to change it, they work out cheaper in the long run plus you don't waste fishing time changing leaders after a fish has wrapped the leader around the lure.
The tackle comes under a lot of strain from constantly casting and working baits and any weak links will soon become apparent. The answer is to upgrade in strength any component that shows a weakness and keep checking line, leaders, swivels, clips, hooks and splitrings.