I always wondered what pike tastes like and how can I catch one. If you are just like me, when I started pike fishing, you might have already lost a good rod or two to the battle. A northern pike can grow extremely large and fight very hard which can cause rods to break.
Choosing the best rod for pike fishing for your pike fishing needs will not only help you save tons of money over the long run, but you’ll also never have to tell the story about the big fish that got away!
Best for Beginners Rod For Pike Fishing
Ugly Stik has some of the best pike fishing rods on the market because of their high quality at an affordable price.
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The Ugly Stik GX2 seven-foot, one-piece rod is an excellent starting point, especially if you are looking for a spinning rod.
Review
Length
- 7 feet
Casting Weight
- 1/4 to 5/8 ounces
Rod Power
- Medium Heavy
Material
- Graphite and Fiberglass
Style
- 1 Piece
The GX2 series 7-foot, 1-piece rod is excellent for pike fishing, especially for beginners, as the length of the rod allows them to handle it with relative ease.
This fishing rod is light, weighing only 0.6 pounds, and with the EVA foam grips allows maximum comfort.
Beginners are often worried about their rods breaking or being defective but the added 7-year warranty will help put them at ease.
In general, this pike fishing rod allows beginners and experienced anglers alike to go after some decently sized pike without feeling worried or uncomfortable.
The rod power, length, and casting weight make this medium heavy rod great for most of your pike fishing needs.
Best Budget Rod For Pike Fishing
KastKing is a brand known for its good quality and affordable rods for pike fishing.
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The Brutus range is one of the most durable KastKing models on the market that is made for even the toughest predator species.
Review
Length
- 7 feet
Casting Weight
- 1/4 to 3/4 ounces
Rod Power
- Medium Heavy
Material
- Graphite, Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber
Style
- One Piece
The KastKing Brutus 7-foot, 1-piece spinning rod is an excellently built budget pike rod.
The length of the fishing rod and the power allow you to handle the medium heavy action with ease so you can battle even the toughest of northern pike.
The EVA foam grips give you more comfort than cork grips, and the medium heavy power range with fast action provides more sensitivity which allows you to fight the large fish with ease.
Though this rod might not be enough to catch the biggest pike, it is a good quality medium heavy rod for many types of bait fishing. It is a good pike fishing rod that also allows you to catch more fish of decent sizes without the added worry of losing or breaking your rod.
Best Overall Rod For Pike Fishing
Abu Garcia is a highly recommended brand by a ton of pike fishing enthusiasts.
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Abu Garcia is trusted by generations of anglers for good-quality rods that work great while being lightweight and comfortable to use.
Review
Length
- 7 feet
Casting Weight
- 1/4 to 3/4 ounces
Rod Power
- Medium Heavy
Material
- 24 ton Graphite
Style
- One Piece
The Abu Garcia Vengeance is a brilliant lightweight 7-foot rod that comes highly recommended for pike fishing.
The 24 ton graphite build and the EVA foam grips make this rod a pleasure to use and easy to handle.
This rod enables you to go after big pike without sacrificing quality, durability, and comfort.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Rod For Pike Fishing
Naturally, there are quite a few things to consider before buying a new pike fishing rod.
These aspects will depend on whether you are fishing recreationally or commercially, and your preferred style of fishing. Find out all the necessary considerations to catch pike so you can make the best choice for your next fishing adventure.
The Rod Length
Finding the right fishing rod length is a learning process for many pike fishers as pike fishing rods might differ in size and performance.
I usually recommend using a rod between 7 and 9 feet long for beginners. This length allows you to handle the rod easily while allowing maximum control once you get a nibble on the fishing line.
Some anglers use longer or shorter rods depending on their fishing needs. You will learn this in time as pike fishing rods can vary depending on the lure and the size of the pike you are going after.
Casting Weight
The casting weights of pike fishing rods indicate the power of the rod and the higher the weight, the more powerful the fishing rod will be.
I would recommend using a rod with a casting weight range of between 1/4 and 3/4 ounces for beginners. The 1/4 to 3/4 ounce range is a good casting weight as it allows you to cast most general-purpose lures while still giving you enough power to take on pike strikes.
Rod Power
The rod power of a pike fishing rod describes the force needed to flex a rod, and can significantly impact how successfully you land a big pike.
It usually determines the lure weights and line sizes that you can use with that specific rod. Moreover, the rod power can also help you gauge the size and strength of the fish you are looking to catch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though you might now have some idea of what makes a great pike fishing rod, there may still be some things you are unsure of. Below are some commonly asked questions, answers, and rod tip to help you.
What Is The Best Rod Action For Fishing Pike?
When hooking pike, you want to be able to use as little time as possible to get your pike on the line. For this reason, I recommend using fast action rods.
Fast action rods allow you to hook a pike quickly and effectively. If you use a slower action rod, there is a greater chance of the pike swallowing the bigger and heavier lures and them getting stuck in the pike’s throat. This is because of the added latency when using a slower action rod.
What Is The Best Rod Power For Pike?
Since pike isn’t exactly small fish, I recommend using a medium heavy power rod. This power level means that you will be able to catch large pike by getting optimum resilience from your rod.
Generally speaking, higher power rods are better for heavier lures that you would use for pike or bass which is the reason medium-high power is my recommended happy middle ground.
Is A One-Piece Rod Better Than A Two-Piece Rod?
For the most part, the choice between a one- or two-piece rod is dependent on the person fishing for pike.
I prefer a one-piece rod, as do many beginners, for the extra peace of mind of not having to worry about a potential weak connection.
Though it isn’t guaranteed to happen, and though it doesn’t happen often, some have lost rods due to the pieces coming apart while fighting a fish or casting out.
However, if you are looking for the best travel fishing rod, you might be better off with a two-piece configuration that you can safely store in a fishing rod case.
Conclusion
Finding the right rod for pike fishing will save you money and effort in the long run.
That said, since fishing styles and techniques differ when fishing for pike, your personal rod preference will vary too.
The most important things to remember are the action and power of your rod while ensuring you use the suitable lure types and line with the rod you buy.
Trying to catch that large northern pike at the right time will be much easier when you have the best gear – including the best pike fishing rod.
Geoff started fishing as a child in the gorgeous lakes of Mammoth, while on family vacations. His fishing experience includes the use of fly rod and reel. Guided trips along the Madison and Gallatin rivers in Montana, the Frying Pan and Animus in Colorado, and the Deschutes river in Oregon have all paid off and helped make Geoff the angler and writer that he is today.
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