Pike fishing enthusiasts know the thrill of landing a massive predator, and the right swimbait can make all the difference.
From realistic designs to enticing swimming actions, each of these lures is tailored to tempt even the most cautious pike.
Join us as we delve into the world of the best swimbaits for pike fishing.
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of different pike swimbaits out there. And more or less, they all do the same thing.
In my experience, these 6 lures have the best combination of quality, easy of use, and price.
Price: $16.99
Based on a 3D scan of an actual gizzard shad, the Savage Gear 3D Gizzard Line
Thru Swimbait delivers unmatched realism and a swimming action that puts lunkers in the livewell.
Built with a multi-segmented design and reinforced nylon mesh joints, the 3D Gizzard Line Thru Swimbait produces a natural s-shaped swimming action that slithers through the water just like a live gizzard shad.
The anatomically correct details and 3D fins also add another layer of secondary action that will fool any big wary bass into biting.
Offering multiple rigging configurations, the 3D Gizzard Line Thru Swimbait features an internal harness system that allows anglers to run the hook on the top or bottom depending on the type of environment they’re fishing.
The hook hanger wire also allows for the treble hook to be tucked into the body for a stealthier approach or left to freely swing for increased hook up ratios.
Price: $18.99
When it comes to imitating the freshwater perch, the Savage Gear 4D Line Thru Multi-Jointed Perch Swimbait is the true pinnacle of lifelike realism for deceiving notorious gamefish like pike and musky.
With its astonishingly detailed photo chrome skin print and irresistible strike-inducing scent, perch-eating predators won’t be able to resist the multi-sensory, bite-triggering allure of this swimbait.
Crafted to perfection, each color design has undergone meticulous testing for maximum drawing power.
The larger line-thru channel facilitates easy leader changes, and it comes pre-rigged with a Carbon49 wire trace equipped with the line modifier clip so it’s ready to fish out of the box for toothy predators.
Enhanced with DNA scent and a slot for additional attractants, this lure boasts an authentic s-curve swimming action, closely mimicking an oblivious real perch that doesn’t know it’s about to become a meal.
Price: $14.99
Combining an adolescent body profile and anatomical details with LIVETARGET’s signature oscillator tail, the LIVETARGET Juvenile Pike Swimbait creates an incredibly life-like presentation that accurately mimics the swimming action and natural movements of a juvenile pike.
The tighter, more subtle action of this swimbait is ideal for colder water.
Maximizing hook up ratios against toothy predators as well, the LIVETARGET Juvenile Pike Swimbait is equipped with twin extra strong double hooks that are held against the body by rare earth magnets to increase hook setting performance and provide better balance without having to re-tune frequently.
The hooks can also be switched forwards for open water applications or backward for enhanced weedlessness as well.
Offered in multiple sizes and colors, the LIVETARGET Juvenile Pike Swimbait gives anglers the upper hand on fisheries where young pike and big predators collide.
Price: $9.99
Made of durable and phtalate-free plastics, the BangerShad is a bait full of life. It has a waggling action with lots of belly flash and can be retrieved at any speed.
The paddle tail kicks at extremely slow retrieves and the bait has an amazing action on the drop.
Featuring a detailed scale exterior, the BangerShad can be rigged any way you prefer, but we recommend pairing it with our RockerHead Dive Stinger L, which gives you an unreal and previously unseen paddle tail soft bait action.
Price: $9.99
Combining erratic and evasive movement and a wiggling jointed curly tail to give you the liveliest possible swimming action.
This wild and erratic swimming action works best during the warm summer months when pike are the most aggressive.
The Headbanger Tail works well with just a simple straight retrieve, but excels when used with pauses and twitches.
Available in three different buoyancies for different depths and styles of fishing, it is typically used to target northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout.
The lure is made of ABS plastic, has a full wire-through-body construction and is equipped with rattle balls of different sizes for a fuller sound.
The lure is lead-free and the weights inside are made of stainless steel.
Price: $34.99
Deliver quality and performance at an outstanding price, the 6th Sense Trace Swimbait is a highly realistic baitfish imitator that will generate ferocious reaction bites.
Featuring a 4-piece body construction and available in two sink rates (floating and slow sinking) to target the whole water column, the 6th Sense Trace Swimbait produces a seductive “S” swimming action that maintains its balance at any retrieve speed.
Unlike any other swimbait on the market, the 6th Sense Trace Swimbait features a soft, yet incredibly durable plastic tail that can be interchanged via a hidden screw lock, ensuring that your bait will function perfectly fish after fish.
Covered in convincing details as well, the 6th Sense Trace Swimbait features checkered scales, 3D eyes, 3D fins, 3D gill plates, and a custom air brushed paintjob that adds a layer of depth to bring it to life in the water.
Armed with two premium EWG style treble hooks that keep fish pinned while fighting them back to the boat, the 6th Sense Trace Swimbait is the ultimate shad profile swimbait.
Yes, swimbaits are one of the best lures for catching big pike. Because of the size of these lures, you will tend to get less bites, but the bites you do get will be from very big pike.
The realistic and enticing action of pike swimbaits make them fantastic lures all year round, but they work especially well when the water is warm.
From April to September, it is hard to beat a big swimbait for catching Northern Pike.
You’re going to need some pretty heavy duty gear to effectively use swimbaits for pike. First of all, these swimbaits are big and heavy.
You will need at least a heavy action casting rod and 30+ lb line to cast and reel in these baits.
When using these lures, you are targeting very big fish. And a 10-20 lb northern pike puts up a huge fight.
A heavy or extra heavy action rod will give you the strength to bring in these monsters.
