​Winter Pike Fishing with Lures: Techniques and Top Lures

Winter is often regarded as a tough time for fishing, with many species slowing down or becoming less active. However, pike fishing during the colder months can be highly rewarding, especially if you're using the right lures. While pike are less aggressive in winter due to their slower metabolism, they can still be enticed to strike when presented with the right lure and technique. In this article, we’ll explore the best lures for pike during winter, as well as effective techniques to use in colder waters.

Why Winter Pike Fishing is Different

During the winter, pike enter a more sluggish state due to the colder water temperatures. Their metabolic rate slows down, causing them to become less active and less likely to chase fast-moving prey. However, pike still need to feed, especially if the weather has been cold for a long time. They are typically found in deeper, slower-moving waters, where they can conserve energy while still hunting for food.

Because pike are cold-blooded predators, they rely on the water’s temperature to regulate their body functions. In winter, they are less likely to expend energy chasing fast-moving baitfish, but they will still strike if they sense an easy meal. Therefore, the key to winter pike fishing is to use lures that offer a slow, steady presentation that mimics the behavior of injured or sluggish prey.

Best Lures for Winter Pike Fishing

The best lures for pike in the winter are those that can mimic injured or slow-moving prey. Larger pike are opportunistic predators, so they will take advantage of easy meals, especially when the water is colder and food is less abundant. Below are some of the top lures for pike fishing in winter.

1. Large Soft Plastics and Swimbaits

Swimbaits and soft plastic lures are excellent choices for winter pike fishing. They offer a realistic, slow-moving action that pike can’t resist, especially when they’re designed to mimic larger prey like perch or other fish species commonly found in pike habitats.

• Why They Work: These lures provide a lifelike action and, when retrieved slowly, simulate the movement of a wounded or sluggish fish, making them ideal for winter conditions. Larger sizes, ranging from 6 to 10 inches, are particularly effective as they imitate the size of prey that pike are hunting for.
• Best For: Fishing in deeper waters or around structure such as drop-offs, submerged logs, or weed beds.

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2. Hard-Bait Crankbaits

Crankbaits are effective winter pike lures because of their ability to dive to specific depths and their steady action in the water. These lures are designed to mimic the movements of baitfish, and their ability to create vibrations and flash can attract pike even when they are less active.

• Why They Work: Crankbaits are highly effective at reaching the right depth where pike are likely to be holding during the winter. Their tight wobble or erratic action can entice pike to strike, even in cold water.
• Best For: Casting over deeper areas, along drop-offs, or in weedy areas where pike are more likely to be hunting.

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3. Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are a go-to choice for winter pike fishing. They are typically long, slender lures that produce erratic, darting motions when jerked. The erratic movement mimics the action of a fish in distress, which is something pike find hard to resist, especially when food is scarce.

• Why They Work: The “jerking” action can be done with short, sharp pulls, allowing the bait to dive slightly and then pause, simulating an injured fish. In cold water, pike are often less likely to chase fast-moving prey, but they will strike at a wounded or slower-moving fish.
• Best For: Fishing in shallow or mid-depth areas, particularly when pike are positioned close to structures like submerged rocks, weeds, or along drop-offs.

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..4. Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are versatile lures that work well in winter for pike, especially when retrieved slowly. The flash from the rotating blades imitates the presence of smaller prey, and the slow retrieval helps keep the bait at a consistent depth where pike are likely to strike.

• Why They Work: The combination of the spinning blade and a slow retrieve provides a subtle vibration that pike find attractive, particularly in deeper water or around structures where the fish may be hiding.
• Best For: Areas with submerged structures like weed beds or fallen trees where pike like to ambush their prey.

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5. Large Spoons

Spoons are classic pike lures that continue to perform well in winter conditions. They are heavy and can be cast long distances, making them useful for covering a lot of water. The fluttering action of the spoon mimics the movement of a struggling baitfish, making them irresistible to hungry pike.

• Why They Work: Spoons can be used with a slow, steady retrieve, or a twitching technique to imitate a dying or injured fish. Their ability to catch light and reflect it underwater makes them highly visible to pike in murky winter waters.
• Best For: Deeper waters and open areas where pike are roaming in search of food.

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Techniques for Winter Pike Fishing with Lures

Using the right lures is crucial, but knowing how to present them is equally important. In winter, pike are less likely to chase after fast-moving prey, so it’s essential to use techniques that keep your lure in the strike zone longer and mimic the movement of injured fish. Here are some effective techniques for winter pike fishing:

1. Slow and Steady Retrieval

During winter, slow down your retrieve. Whether you’re using soft plastics, jerkbaits, or crankbaits, a slow retrieve will allow the pike to track the lure and strike when they are ready. In cold water, pike are often sluggish and are more likely to bite at a bait that’s moving slowly and predictably.

• How to Do It: Reel in the lure at a very slow pace, keeping it just above the bottom or near the submerged structures where pike tend to hide. Occasional pauses can help the bait sink slightly, mimicking an injured fish.

2. Jerking and Pausing with Jerkbaits

The key to using jerkbaits effectively is to jerk the rod tip sharply and then pause, allowing the lure to hover in the water. This action simulates the erratic movement of a struggling fish, which can trigger a predatory strike from pike.

• How to Do It: Use sharp, short jerks of the rod, followed by a pause. Let the lure sink and remain motionless for a moment before jerking it again. Experiment with the length of pauses to find what works best.

3. Fishing Deeper Water and Structures

During winter, pike tend to congregate in deeper water where the temperature is more stable. Look for drop-offs, submerged rocks, and weed beds where pike can find shelter while hunting for food. Focus on areas where the depth changes quickly, as pike often use these locations as ambush points.

• How to Do It: Use your fish finder to locate deeper sections of the lake or river. Cast lures like swimbaits or spoons and work them along the bottom or at mid-depths, allowing them to linger near structures where pike are likely to strike.

4. Use Electronics to Find Pike

A fish finder can be a game-changer when fishing for pike in winter. It helps you locate schools of pike and determine their depth, allowing you to adjust your fishing strategy accordingly.

• How to Do It: Once you've located a school of pike using sonar or a fish finder, drop your lure into the zone and experiment with different retrieves. Adjust your presentation depending on how active the fish appear.

Additional Tips for Winter Pike Fishing

• Fish During the Warmest Part of the Day: Pike tend to be more active during the warmest hours of the day, so aim to fish mid-morning or early afternoon when water temperatures are slightly higher.
• Be Patient: Pike fishing in winter can require patience, as bites may be less frequent. Be prepared to spend longer periods between strikes, but stay persistent.
• Watch for Weather Changes: Pike are more likely to be active before or during a weather change, particularly with rising barometric pressure.

Conclusion

Winter pike fishing with lures offers an exciting challenge and the potential for big rewards. With the right lures, such as soft plastics, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spoons, and the right techniques, you can entice pike to strike, even in the coldest water. The key is to present your lure slowly and steadily, mimicking an injured or sluggish fish, and targeting deeper water or structures where pike are most likely to be holding. By following these tips and using the appropriate lures, you can make the most of your winter pike fishing adventures.