Pike have teeth, and a spoon flashes like a wounded baitfish. Put a foot of wire between them and you have the northern pike rig. It casts a mile, wobbles at any speed and trolls beautifully behind a canoe. From Lake of the Woods to the Eastmain, this is the first cast of the trip.
What you need
- Leader9–12" of 20–30 lb nylon-coated wire or 60–80 lb fluorocarbon, with a swivel at the top and a snap at the bottom
- Spoon3–5" casting spoon, 1/2–1 oz (red/white, five of diamonds, silver)
- Ball-bearing swivelReduces line twist from the spoon
- Main line12–17 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid
How to tie the wire leader and spoon rig
- Tie the main line to the swivel end of the leader with an improved clinch or Palomar knot.
- Open the snap and clip on the spoon; close it fully.
- Check the spoon's split ring and treble; sharpen if needed.
How to fish it
Cast along weed edges, points and bays. Let it flutter down a few feet, then retrieve steadily with occasional pauses — most strikes come on the pause. Trolling, let out 50–100 feet and run at 2–3 mph along drop-offs.
Tips
- A single hook in place of the treble makes release much easier and hooks fish nearly as well.
- In clear water, black or silver spoons outfish red-and-white.
- Retie or check the leader after every big pike; teeth fray coated wire.
Common mistakes
- Snaps that don't close — pike find them.
- Retrieving too fast in cold water; slow down until you feel the wobble.
FAQ
Wire or fluorocarbon leader for pike?
Wire (20–30 lb coated) is the safe choice for spoons and bait. 60–80 lb fluorocarbon works for fast-moving lures in clear water and is nearly invisible, but inspect it after every fish.