In this article we’ll dive into the world of northern pike rods and highlight the seven best northern pike rods available for anglers today.
7 Best Northern Pike Rods
Northern pike can be found all across the northern portion of the Untied States, throughout Canada and spread across Northern Europe and Russia. Pike are voracious, ambush predators that feed on a variety of baitfish like perch, ciscos, bluegills, shiners, and roach. Due to the northern’s aggressive nature there are a wide variety of baits you can use for pike. For those anglers looking to target big pike you’ll want to use larger presentations like large spoons or swimbaits. Big northern pike, like big baits. In order to throw and work large baits properly you need to have the right fishing rod.
There are several key qualities anglers need to consider when choosing the best northern pike rod. Strength, comfort, durability, length, action, and versatility are just a few of the important attributes that make up a quality fishing rod. The following list is the seven best northern pike rods available for anglers looking to target big northern pike.
St. Croix Legend Tournament Pike
While the St. Croix Legend Tournament pike rod comes in a wide variety of lengths, powers, and actions there is one rod in the series that can throw any kind of bait. Dubbed the “Versatile Special” the St. Croix Legend Tournament pike rod in a 241cm length, heavy power, and moderate action is the most universal rod out of the group. It’s perfect for throwing large swimbaits, spinnerbaits, spoons, rubber baits, or any other big pike bait you have. It’s incredibly comfortable to handle allowing the angler to fish all day long without fatigue. The St. Croix Legend Tournament pike rod is one of the best northern pike rods on the market.
Abu Garcia Zenon
The next rod on this list is one of the lightest on the market and is ideal for burning baits with blades. The Abu Garcia Zenon in a 7-foot, 5-inch, medium heavy power is one of the premier pike rods available. Featuring premium carbon blanks, the Zenon delivers a powerful, ultra-light rod that can handle big fish. The Abu Garcia Zenon features a fuji reel seat that improves comfort for all-day fishing. Paired with titanium alloy guides with nitride silicon inserts and a carbon handle split grip design, the Abu Garcia Zenon rods were designed for the serious northern pike angler.
Dobyns Fury Swimbait Casting Rods
Engineered to exceed the expectations of dedicated swimbait anglers without straining your budget the Dobyns Fury Swimbait Casting Rods is one of the best northern pike rods out there. At 7-foot, 9-inches, with a medium-heavy power and fast action, the Dobyns Fury is ideal for working big plastic swimbaits. Crafted with high modulus graphite blanks, the Fury Swimbait Casting Rod is balanced to maximize sensitivity, ensuring even the softest bite is felt. Reinforced with Kevlar wrapping, the high-quality guides provide both durability and smooth line management allowing the angler to make long, accurate casts. If you like throwing big swimbaits for northern pike, then the Dobyns Fury Swimbait Casting Rod is the rod for you.
Fenwick Elite Predator Casting Rod
No matter what big baits you like to throw for northern pike the Fenwick Elite Predator Casting Rod in a 8-foot, 6-inch, heavy power, moderate fast action can handle them. It’s one of the best northern pike rods available and deserves to be on this list because of its versatility. This rod was designed to handle the strain from casting a big bait and the force a big pike can produce on a strike. It’s full handle and palm style reel seat allow help prevent fatigue. Its moderate action also makes the Fenwick Elite Predator a solid trolling rod.
St. Croix Legend X Casting Rods
The St. Croix Legend X casting rod in a 7-foot 6-inch, medium-heavy power and moderate-fast action is one of the best northern pike rods out there. The medium-heavy power and moderate-fast action has enough backbone to handle big fish, but also has enough give to absorb big head shakes keeping the fish pinned. It features silicon nitride guides with titanium frames for unrivaled, 100% corrosion-proof performance. The St. Croix Legend X also has a split grip handle and is made with a super high-modulus SCVI carbon for maximum power and strength with reduced weight. If you are a serious pike angler and want one of the best northern pike rods, you need to check out the St. Croix Legend X.
Zilla Pike Casting Rod
Designed specifically for big northern pike the Berkley Zilla Pike Rod is one of the best northern pike rods available. These pike rods are designed by fanatic northern pike anglers and cover a wide range of applications. While there are a number of lengths, powers, and actions, the best one in the lineup for throwing larger sized baits for pike is the 2.29-meters, heavy power, fast action. It features stainless steel anti-tangling guides and effortlessly handles big rubber baits and crankbaits. It also breaks down into two pieces making it very convenient when traveling.
Trika 6X Series
The Trika 6X in the 7-foot, 5-inch medium-heavy casting rod is a great northern pike rod that can handle some really big fish. What sets the Trika 6X apart is the groundbreaking EkkoChamber and Axial Weave technology which makes it one of the lightest and most sensitive rods out on the market. The rod allows the angler to feel the slightest bump and softest strike, while still having the backbone to handle northern pike exceeding forty-inches. Pair this with a low profile baitcaster and you’ve got one of the best northern pike rods money can buy.
FAQ’s
1. What are some of the best baits for northern pike?
Spoons, spinnerbaits, inline spinners, swimbaits and crankbaits are all good options for northern pike.
2. What is the best color bait for northern pike fishing?
Northern pike tend to favor brighter colored baits. Chartreuse, firetiger, chrome silver, and perch.
3. Where is the best place to catch a big northern pike?
Alaska, as well as many lakes throughout Canada are home to trophy pike exceeding forty inches. Many countries in Europe produce giant pike as well.
4. When do northern pike spawn?
Northern pike spawn in the spring when water temperatures are between forty and fifty degrees.
5. What did the world record northern pike weigh?
The world record northern pike weighed fifty-five pounds and was caught in Germany in 1986.
Conclusion
If you haven’t targeted big northern pike I suggest you give it a try. Between their large size and aggressive nature, northern pike are one of the funniest freshwater fish to target and catch. With the proper gear and a hand full of baits you can catch a ton of big pike throughout the open water season. Hopefully this list helps you when selecting one of the best northern pike rods.
