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Spinning is an ideal tool for lovers of active fishing. With its help, you can not only hunt for a predator, but also train your body, making your way through the bushes and thickets of cattail. Spinning fishing allows you to enjoy different natural landscapes, learn about new places, get a lot of positive emotions from live bites.
Rod Selection Criteria
Pike is considered one of the most desirable objects of spinning fishing. Spotted beauty reaches an impressive size and provides decent resistance. Aggressive bites of the “toothy” force anglers to go to the reservoirs in any weather, because the adrenaline from a sharp blow to the bait is incomparable to anything.
For pike, a rod with certain characteristics is selected:
- test load;
- the order of the form;
- the material of the butt and the fishing rod itself;
- type of reel seat;
- length and blank-to-handle ratio.
For catching pike, spinning is chosen not only by the weight of the lures, but also by the conditions of fishing. The most popular test load of a pike rod is within 10-30 g. This gap allows you to catch depths from 0,5 to 6-7 m. Also, with a rod with a test of up to 30 g, you can explore the rapids.
10-30 g is the weight range in which a wide range of artificial baits can be used: wobblers, edible rubber, oscillators, turntables, spinnerbaits, etc. However, only the test, as one of the main parameters of the pike “stick”, is not enough.
Each rod has its own action, which you can check as follows. At the end of the spinning, a sinker is tied, which is twice the maximum test load. Then gradually you need to raise the blank until you know the bending point.
Build happens:
- Fast and ultra-fast – this is the best option for jigging. Due to the sensitive tip, the rod transmits touches of the bottom with the bait, informs about bites and is able to set different types of animation in the thickness. Pike fishing often requires playing in one place, and thanks to the fast formation of the blank, such wiring becomes possible. The bend point is in the upper quarter of the spinning blank. The ultra-fast model has a bend point closer to the tulip, the fast one is a little further away from it.
- Medium and medium fast. Such products are designed for fishing on edible rubber, turntables and spoons. They work great with monotonous wiring, as well as with a weak twitch of small lures. Medium and medium fast action has a bend point in the second quarter of the blank.
- Slow. Bend point in the third quarter, closer to the hilt than to the tulip. This type of spinning is used for fishing on wobblers, active twitching of large models.
- Progressive. Relatively recently, this type of rod appeared, which combines the characteristics of fast and slow blanks. When casting, they show themselves as fast products, having a flexible tip, and when fighting, especially large trophies, such models behave like parabolic “sticks”.
For pike fishing, “sticks” with a monolithic or one-piece handle are selected. Long work with a spinning rod in your hands forces the handle to rest against the body, because its length is just as important as the material. Spaced handles are inherent in perch models; they are much less common in pike products. When fishing with large baits, there is no point in a spaced handle, it is inconvenient if you put your forearm on the butt.
Butt – the lower part of the rod. It is made from cork or polymer materials such as EVA. Both options are quite durable, have an attractive appearance. Polymers are recommended for winter rods, cork for summer rods. There are also models with a combination of materials, but this does not affect the functions of the rod, only the appearance.
Budget models have a simple reel seat. It is made in the form of one or two nuts, which are screwed along the threads on the plastic part of the fishing rod. More expensive models are equipped with closed-type holders that work like a clip, fixing the coil leg with a top cover.
Pike models can be divided into short, medium and long. Spinning rods with a height of up to 210 cm are considered short. The average edge is between 210 and 270 cm. Long rods start their height from 270 cm. For fishing from the shore, it is recommended to select long blanks if the vegetation allows. From a boat, they prefer to fish with short rods, since they are more convenient to control if several people are fishing on board.
Long sticks are more effective when catching large fish. With their help, you can pump out the trophy, prevent the pike from entering cattails or snags. Long models are more accurate in casting, and due to the increased swing, they can deliver the bait much further.
Materials from which spinning rods are made
Modern rods are made from graphite, fiberglass and a composite of several materials. The most expensive models have extreme flexibility, minimum weight and maximum strength, they are made of high modulus graphite. Less expensive products are also made from graphite, which is popularly called “charcoal” or “CFRP”. Among anglers, you can also find the designation “carbon”. All these words are synonyms meaning the same thing.
Graphite, with all its qualities, has one significant drawback: it does not withstand impacts and gives chips and cracks when tackle falls, the form hooks on a tree, and other incidents. That is why the tackle requires careful handling, it is not recommended for beginner spinningists.
The first carbon fiber rods had a high modulus, but had little elasticity, due to which they lost their sensitivity. However, even then it became clear that graphite is the future, which replaced fiberglass. Modern “coal” is much more sensitive than fiberglass, so its price is much higher. Fiberglass is an elastic material that has a larger mass and good flexibility. Fiberglass rods are recommended for beginners, as they are not demanding for neat storage and are affordable.
A composite is a combination of several materials. In general, adding graphite to fiberglass improves the performance of the raw material from which blanks are made. They become more sensitive, have a lighter weight, good elasticity and are not demanding on the wearer’s accuracy. One of the most popular materials for a long time was IM-6, but today there are better quality graphites.
Advantage of graphite rod:
- bottom and bite sensitivity;
- accurate transfer of animation;
- light weight;
- high degree of flexibility;
- blank strength.
As a rule, carbon fiber rods have a plug-in design. Telescopic models lose their integrity and cannot accurately convey the action and test, they are not sensitive and are rarely used by professionals. Along with products consisting of two parts, there are hiking options that can be disassembled into 3-4 elements. Of course, such spinning rods lose some of their characteristics, but they are easily transported during long journeys.
In addition to traditional rod handle materials, plastic and graphite are also used. These models are less common, but they do exist. Not the last role is played by access rings. All spinning rods can be divided into summer and winter. The latter are distinguished by a softer blank structure and wide rings, on which ice does not freeze so quickly. Fast action models in cold weather are used with extreme caution as they are prone to whip fracture.
Rings are on one, two or three legs, made of steel, aluminum, titanium and other metals. Titanium products are light in weight, they are strong, but they quickly cut the cord if they do not have inserts. The ceramic core prevents cord fraying. One of the inexpensive but popular rings that are installed on pike rods are still Sic and Fuji. Properly spaced rings distribute the load on the form without overloading its parts.
The arrangement of the rings and their number depends on some features of the fishing rod:
- building;
- length;
- thickness;
- type
On the summer versions of the rings, as a rule, there are more. Unfortunately, you rarely see “seasonality” among rod markings in stores, so you need to select winter spinning according to the basic principles: the number of rings, their width, the type of handle and reel seat.
Choice of reel and line for pike
If saving on a rod is sometimes justified, then it is impossible to save on a reel and a braided line. For classic spinning, a spinning model with perfect laying and a spool size of 2000-3000 units according to Shimano classification is perfect. The spinning reel got its name from the way the mechanism works. When casting, the angler folds back the bow and swings the rod. The fishing line is freely etched from the spool without her participation. The absence of inertia allows only the cord to work, nothing is spinning in the coil at this moment.
The pike prefers smooth wiring, so you need to monitor the operation of the reel. The main pair of bearings is also responsible for smooth running. For fishing with twitching and wiring that require the participation of a reel, a power model is selected. All products are equipped with a front or rear clutch. During testing by professional anglers, the first option turned out to be more convenient. The length of the clutch rod determines the tuning speed. The longer this element, the more detailed the brake can be adjusted.
Main parameters of spinning reels:
- product weight;
- material;
- number of bearings;
- spool size;
- type of handle and its fastening;
- manufacturer.
Many manufacturers patent their developments, so high-quality technologies can only be found in branded products. Such advanced solutions include a beveled titanium spool collar, which increases the casting distance by 20-30%. Every year products are improved, lighter alloys are used in their production, new functions are being developed.
If even 10 years ago the coil handles had a screw on the reverse side, now they are screwed into the structure directly.
Casting rods have a non-standard mount, which is only suitable for working with a multiplier reel. Multipliers come from sea fishing, they have proven themselves as improved products with high power and protection from salt water. To work with the multiplier, practice is required, since the tackle is significantly different from the “inertialess classics”.
The spool size of 2000-3000 units is enough to hold more than 100 m of quality line. It is important to pay attention to the depth of the spool. If it is too deep, then a backing must be installed before winding the braid.
Backing is a fishing line that is used to level the depth of the reel spool. When winding, the cord should not protrude beyond the sides, its amount should not exceed more than 2 mm from the edge of the spool. In this case, the flight will maintain its range.
The cord for the pike should have the following parameters:
- lack of memory;
- optimal diameter;
- smooth texture;
- number of lived;
- color palette;
- no noise during casting and rewinding.
High-quality material does not twist, does not take loops, it can be straightened by hand. When leaving the spool, the braid straightens under its own weight. If the line gets tangled during casting, it is worth changing the reel. Many budget models are not designed to work with braid.
The optimal line diameter for a rod with a test of 10-30 g is 0,12-0,13 mm. High-quality products have a breaking load of more than 9 kg, which is enough for catching “toothy”. Fishing line is not used for pike fishing, since it has a larger diameter with a lower breaking load. Also thick nylon reduces casting distance by 50%.
The color of the braid plays an important role. For pike, as well as for perch, you can use bright colors: pink, canary, yellow, red, etc. Between the bait and the cord there is always a leash with a length of 30 cm or more. A colored braid is installed for the angler to see where the bait passes, watch the bites, circle the artificial bait past the snags.
Expensive branded cords have a smooth texture, so they do not break at the most inopportune moment in the middle of unwinding. Budget models are often uneven, their manufacturers sometimes overestimate the cross section so that it is possible to increase the breaking load. You can measure the diameter using a special device. Also, expensive products are painted in a waterproof palette that does not wash out for a long time.
When using a cord, it is worth remembering that its texture has an expiration date. All the roughness that appears on the braid indicates that it is being tested: it loses elasticity, breaking load, etc. Pieces of broken cord should be removed immediately with scissors.
Noise is a parameter that not every spinning player knows about. A noisy line can scare away fish, it interferes with fishing. You can determine the degree of noise on the first two or three casts and windings. This parameter cannot be determined indoors.
Modern cords are:
- three and four-wire;
- six and eight-core;
- twelve and sixteen strands.
In a word, there are stranded and non-stranded products. They differ in the method of weaving, as well as the number of fibers in the texture. The more cores a braid has, the higher its resistance to abrasion.
A large number of strands make the material more dense and rounded, due to which it becomes even along the entire length, and gets an excellent reach. Also, stranded cords are more sensitive, which should not be forgotten. However, the line of sensitivity between the eight-core and twelve-core cord is so small that it is practically not noticeable.
Abrasion resistance and abrasion resistance are not the same thing. Three-core cords work much better in difficult areas. Such models are used when fishing with a jig on a shell rock and a rocky bottom. Models with fewer cores are more functional when working with rings, water and air.
The main material for the production of cords is Super PE, which has high flying qualities, a dense texture and a wide range of advantages. From it produce inexpensive cords and products of the middle class.
The following materials are also known:
- High Grade PE. A more advanced material with positive buoyancy, which is important when fishing for pike in a water lily. This material is more rigid and durable, has an average resistance to abrasion and abrasion.
- High Grade PE Type 2. This is a combination of two materials: Super PE and High Grade PE. The combination of materials made it possible to create sinking products with high abrasion resistance and a softer structure.
- Excellent P.E. The novelty, developed on the basis of Super PE, has a higher rigidity and whip, the breaking load with the same diameters is increased.
- Ultimate P.E. Another development branch of Super PE, also has higher wear resistance, strength, resistance to abrasive surface. These cords have a more rounded structure than their predecessors.
The rig may also contain a fishing line in the form of fluorocarbon leashes. They are used in the summer, when the bite of the predator noticeably weakens, as well as in late autumn, with high water transparency. Fluor is not used with wobblers, since there is always the possibility of a cut and loss of expensive bait.
Types of artificial baits for pike
Most artificial baits are suitable for catching a spotted predator, since pike have a good appetite and often attack even their own kind.
The main types of baits for pike:
- wobblers;
- edible rubber;
- turntables;
- oscillations.
Various types of wobblers are used to catch a spotted inhabitant of fresh water: cranks, fats, minows, etc. Along with baits that work in the thickness, there are surface models that do not have a blade: poppers and walkers. Surface nozzles are used in summer in dense vegetation, reeds and water lilies. Minow is the best bait for fishing in places with a clean surface area. Minows are led over pike shelters at a depth of up to 2-3 m, they are popular in the warm season.
Photo: dacha365.net
Fats and cranks imitate a broad-bodied fish swimming at depth. These models are developed with large blades for deep penetration. Wobblers are equipped with sharp tees in the amount of 1-3 pieces.
All wobblers are divided into three types:
- floating;
- sinking;
- suspenders.
Also, baits can be classified by color: natural and provocative tones.
For angling pike, large turntables with a narrow blade of steel color and wide-bodied oscillators, both painted and metallic tones, are used.
Mepps Aglia Long is considered one of the best turntables, and the Atom is considered a oscillator.
Among edible rubber, both passive models such as Sexy Impact are popular, as well as active ones – vibrotails, twisters, crayfish with soft claws. The softer the silicone, the more it looks like a live fish. When biting, a pike keeps it in its mouth much longer, but breaks it at the first catch.
They equip the rubber with the classic method using a jig head or a collapsible sinker, as well as various spaced rigs – a retractable leash, drop-shot, caroline and Texas montage.
The collection and assembly of a spinning kit requires certain knowledge about the types of gear and lures, so before buying, you should evaluate the available products according to their characteristics, and then choose the best option.