Pike and predator tackle

What Pike and Predator Tackle Do You Need?

Pike fishing splits into two main methods, lure fishing and deadbaiting, and each needs its own rod and reel. Whichever you choose, a wire trace, a big landing net, an unhooking mat and long forceps are non-negotiable.

Lure fishing is the easier way in, as you can travel light with one rod, a small bag of lures and a few traces. Deadbaiting takes more kit, but it's a great way to target bigger fish through the colder months.

Lure Rods and Deadbait Rods

An 8ft to 9ft spinning rod with a casting weight of around 20g to 60g covers most pike lure fishing. Heavier rods rated up to 100g or more are built for big jerkbaits and large soft shads.

So, what about deadbaiting? A 12ft rod with a 2.75lb to 3.25lb test curve is the standard choice, with enough power to cast a mackerel tail a good distance and set the hooks at range.

Baitcasting rods paired with a small multiplier reel are a good shout for heavy lures, as they make repeated casting less tiring. They take a bit of practice, so a spinning setup is the simpler place to start.

Reels, Braid and Mono

A 3000 or 4000 size fixed spool reel suits most lure fishing. For deadbaiting, a freespool reel lets a pike take line without feeling resistance, just as it does in carp fishing.

Braid is the go-to mainline for lure fishing, usually 30lb to 50lb, because it has no stretch and gives you a direct feel for the lure. For deadbaiting, 15lb to 20lb mono or a similar braid works well.

Wire Traces and Terminal Tackle

Here's the thing with pike: they have a mouthful of sharp teeth that will cut straight through mono, braid and fluorocarbon. That's why a wire trace is essential every time you fish for them, even if you're targeting perch or zander on a water that holds pike.

For bait fishing, use a trace of at least 18 inches with two semi-barbed or barbless trebles, and 20lb to 30lb wire covers most situations. Lure traces can be a little shorter, and plenty of anglers step up the wire strength for heavy lures.

Pike floats, running rings, leads and drop-off indicators then complete a deadbait setup. A bite alarm with a drop-off indicator tells you straight away when a pike picks up the bait, so you can strike before it swallows it.

Lures and Deadbaits

Which lures should you start with? Soft plastic shads, spinners, spoons, jerkbaits and crankbaits all catch pike, and a handful of each in natural and bright colours covers most waters.

Lures of around 10cm to 20cm suit pike, while smaller ones work better for perch.

Sea deadbaits are hard to beat, with mackerel, herring, sardine and smelt all catching well. Their oily scent spreads through the water, which helps a pike find the bait in coloured water.

Perch and Zander Tackle

Perch fishing calls for lighter kit, such as a 7ft to 8ft lure rod casting around 5g to 20g with small soft plastics, spinners or a drop-shot rig. It's fun fishing that works on canals, rivers and lakes all year round.

Zander are shy biters, so low-resistance rigs with small fish baits tend to work best. Where pike share the water, a wire trace is still the sensible choice.

Unhooking Tools, Nets and Fish Care

Long forceps of around 10 to 12 inches let you reach the hooks safely, and a pair of wire cutters deals with any awkward hook holds. A large landing net with a soft rubber mesh and a padded unhooking mat protect the fish on the bank.

Strike runs quickly so the hooks don't go too deep, and never leave rods unattended while deadbaiting. Pike tire easily in warm water, so most anglers stick to autumn and winter, and many waters have their own predator season.

Pike and Predator Tackle Prices and Reviews

There are 618 pike and predator products here, and 59 of them have a full eTackle review. Every listing shows the lowest in-stock price from reputable UK online retailers, with prices checked every day.

Our reviews look at how predator tackle handles real fishing, from casting heavy lures to playing a big fish. Rods are the natural starting point, and the best pike rods guide compares lure and deadbait rods side by side.