What hardbaits/softbaits work for Chain Pickerel?

[BassFishingMachine]

I have been using hard jerkbaits and they have been producing well for me. But hard jerkbaits are becoming boring to use, and they seem to only catch me quantity not quality. I have heard zara spooks will work for nice pickerel. What do you guys usually use for pickerel fishing? If the zara spook works for good size pickerel im thinking of trying a buzzbait, anyone here ever try a buzzbait for picks?

[BucketmouthAngler13]

Pickerel seem to like the long, thin lures with a tight wobble. I have done great on jerkbaits and rapalas. Also they love spinnerbaits. In the summer they like the retrieve fast, and they will chase it down right to the boat. They are fun fish.

[Peter E.]

Have to agree that the rapalas are probably your best bet but I like flukes and spoons as well.

[Marty]

I don't fish deliberately for pickerel, but they occupy the same places as the bass where I fish, so you could say I'm fishing for either species when I'm in pickerel waters. They will take any lure that exists, from topwaters to bottom draggers and everything in between. If I had to choose one lure, I'd give the nod to spinnerbait, but not by much, as they will readily take anything.

They're fun to catch and I've always felt that they fight better than largemouth.

[volpster31]

im not a master pickeral fisherman,but ive done my fair share of cathing them over the years...my 2 favorite lures are a jitterbug for topwater & a 4" grub on a 2 or 3/0 hook...theyll kill a grub every time if its moving fast  

[kayl.]

In my experience, almost anything works for Pickerel

That said, spoons seem to be the best "producer" (of bitten off lures) for me...