Pike set ups

[clayton86]

what would be a cheap pike set up I have a Abu c4 that I use for catfish but I dont go for catfish that often. so i thought of taking that off the rod and spooling with 50# braid but what about a rod. I dont want to break the bank just want a set up to tag along for the pike bite. All the spots I fish are loaded with giant pike so I figured Why not set up a combo for the toothy guys and buy some big fat lures.   

[ww2farmer]

I wouldn't use any thing more than a H powered bass rod, and a good lp reel spooled with 50lb Power Pro and leader of your choice (I would use heavy fluorocarbon over wire, but that's just me). If you do hook into a fish of a life time with that gear you'll be well equiped to handle and land it, plus you'll have a combo to fish for bass in the heaviest nastiest cover you want to. Your not going to tangle with many if any, 20+ lb pike around here that need super heavy Muskie type tackle. I have caught multiple 10 and 12lb class fish on M and MH power bass tackle and it handles them just fine.

[clayton86]

I did just order my Revo Sx and 7'3 veritas I planed on spooling with 50pp. I could always just take my jigs off that and throw some bigger pike baits.

[J Francho]

I have caught multiple 10 and 12lb class fish on M and MH power bass tackle and it handles them just fine.

Me too.  This fish came on a my wimpy light cranking rod:

Invest in some Cortland Toothy Critter in 10 and 15# size, and some titanium snap swivel leaders in 20#.  Toss 'em your box, and when you getting bit off, tie them on.  The Toothy Critter is tieble, and good for T-rigs, whereas the snap leaders are for hardbaits.  8-12" is plenty for the typical pike around here.

[WanderLust]

Last year I used tieable wire leader when I'm fishing for pike exclusively. But if it threatens my bass presentation, I will risk losing my lure.

My largest pike last year was 41" and while that was quite a fight. 40# braid on a 7' MH Avid using a Curado was more than enough to bring it in.

[clayton86]

the largest pike landed was maybe 28" but last year I had one that was 40+ almost half the length of the canoe that i lost at the canoe well we debated how to land it with out a net. It bit a T1 spinner I had resting on the edge of the canoe on my pole almost went in I snatched it just in time under the water a few inches. It woulda went on the wall if I landed it but my nephew doesnt know how to grab them plus he was scared lol

[B A S S E R]

I use the C4 as a musky reel. Its a nice reel. But for a pike setup I agree with everyone else. Low profile wiht 50-65# braid and a H rod. Maybe XH, or MH if you plan on chucking some heavy/light baits.

[detroit1]

Geeez J., looks like you got the "death-grip" on that one! Or is that your hand that's bleeding?

[J Francho]

A little of both.

It looks like I have the front gill in my grip, but it's the gill cover closest to me.

We did revive this fish, though it took some time. I recall it taking off for a shelf out of current, and babysitting it for while, before it took off. Had I been prepared to deal with bigger fish that day, it wouldn't have been a big deal.

A better tool for handling than fingers:

[BassThumb]

How big are the lures that you plan on tossing?

I think that for the most part, your average spinnerbait and flipping/pitching tackle work very well for northerns. They can easily handle a 10 lb fish or throw 1 oz lures.