jigging for big pike

[mcsquinty]

Planning on using big clackers, spoons and deadbaits jigging for 24" and up northerns. How heavy should I go?  Will a 36 inch medium action with 15lb braid and a leader be enough? Or should I get a 42 or 46" baitcaster with 30 lb? 80lb? I die a little inside when I lose a fish due to line breakage, and if I get a good hookup on a 50 inch fish, I dont want to loose it. So, how much is too much? I already have all three reels spooled, but which one?

[nitram]

Ive done a lot of jigging for pike and have gotten many well over 24" 15' test braided should do. But I know a lot of guys well say go heaver.,caught more large fish not jigging, dead bait under a float. I don't like to use tipups, I like to have a rod and reel.

[one last cast]

Started this set up last year, never got to use it though. Frabill 38 gussy rod (heavy) shimano Sedona 2500 reel and 10# spider(braid) and for leader Seaguar 25# fluoro. I plan on going after some big one this year! I also plan to use this for lakers with down sizing the leader to a 8# or 10# fluoro leader. Good luck. - olc

[tinyfisher]

I would say the rod and line need to be balanced with the bait you're using as opposed to the size of the fish you are expecting to catch.  If you are using large deadbaits, you are going to need some leverage to move hooks through that meat and into the fish's mouth.  I have seen people using open-water baitcasting setups, and I would suggest bumping up your line size a bit.  15lb braid would be fairly easy to snap on a good hookset.

[walleye tattoo]

50 pound spider line ice is sharp, I use a lite 20 lb steel leader you never know when the big fella is going to show up.

[mcsquinty]

Awesome, thanks for the replies.

[JBO112394]

Check out Arctic Warriors. They are a tip up type system that let you catch the fish on rod and reel. I caught a 16lbr on one two years ago using 30lb PowerPro as my main line with a steel leader at the business end. Its a blast 

[esoxeye]

I use a 36" Makinaw med/heavy with a calcutta 200 baitcaster spooled with 30lb braid and a 50lb fluorocarbon leader, I've landed pike up to 22 lbs with this setup.

[mcsquinty]

[mcsquinty]