How to catch pike with a wobbler
The key to successful fishing of this type is not only the correct choice of gear, but also a good knowledge of the characteristics and capabilities of your lures. Despite the huge number of models, wobblers can be classified according to several general characteristics.
By immersion depth:
- superficial;
- subsurface;
- deep-sea.
By buoyancy:
- floating
- drowning
- suspenders (according to the manufacturer’s plan, such baits should hold quietly and hang in the water column)
Finally, according to design, wobblers are divided into bladed (minnow, shad, fad, crankbait, crawler) and bladeless (poppers, stickbaits, rattlins, propbaits, jerkbaits, walkers).
For confident fishing, it is enough to have 5-7 wobblers for different occasions. For example, minnows imitate fry as realistically as possible and are excellent for summer fishing, and in the fall it is better to use cranks, especially in rivers and reservoirs.
The optimal wobbler size for pike fishing is 7-12 cm.
You will also need a certain rod - a fast-action spinning rod with a fairly rigid, well-responsive tip and a reliable butt. For fishing from the shore, a rod 2.4 m long is sufficient.
More information about fishing for pike using spinning wobblers in the video:
Popular wobbler models
Each fisherman has his own preferences for types of bait, so we can name only a few models that are recognized as the best wobblers for pike in 2013.
Wobbler “Salmo Slider” is designed for twitching and jerking. When it stops, it makes oscillatory movements and begins a slow dive, thereby attracting pike.
For maximum distance casting, we can recommend the “Lucky Craft Gunfish” model, which has excellent aerodynamic properties.
Lucky Craft Gunfish Model
The “Creek Chub Pikie” is a wobbler consisting of two parts that is suitable for trolling fishing. In general, everyone chooses what they like and goes on a “pike hunt.” The catch will be worthwhile, no doubt, because the pike goes for the wobbler.
The best color of wobbler for catching pike
We must immediately make a reservation that there is no wobbler color that is guaranteed to provoke predatory fish. When choosing gear, it is necessary to take into account the weather, time of year, water transparency and fishing location. You will have to experiment often, even within the same body of water. The only universal rule is that the wobbler should be as noticeable as possible.
In clear weather, when the sun's rays clearly illuminate the water column, it is better to choose dark colors, such as “olive”. On cloudy days, on the contrary, you need to use light colors. Wobblers with bright, acidic colors perform well in muddy water.
The best wobblers for pike
We present to your attention the 10 best options for pike fishing.
Zip Baits Orbit 110 SP
Zip Baits Orbit 110 SP is a wobbler that has proven itself around the world. Agile and playful - that's what you can say about him. Wobbler depth - 0.8 - 1 meter, weight - 16.5 grams, length - 110 mm, equipped with two hooks. The bait should be placed right next to thickets, reeds, grass, etc. The best colors of Zip Baits Orbit 110 SP are acidic, namely: 070R, 313R, 830R.
Pike often prey on wounded and weak fish, so an aggressive twitch is considered the best bait: the bait will swing from side to side, hitting everything, that is, pretending to be a sick fish. Suitable for fishing in cloudy weather. The quite inexpensive price is consistent with the quality of the wobbler.
Lucku Craft Pointer 100 SP
Wobblers for pike Lucky Craft Pointer comprise a huge variety of species and subspecies. And here is one of them - Lucku Craft Pointer 100 SP - 10 cm of death for pike with a calm retrieve and a small amplitude. The color is neutral. Suitable for catching pike in bright sunny weather in open areas, preferably without thickets; it is best to fish in late autumn. The long blade allows this wobbler to penetrate 1 - 1.5 meters into the water, and is equipped with three hooks.
The wobbler is suitable for catching medium-sized pike in Russian reservoirs. When you go fishing, you can use it to check whether there are any fish at all. It makes quite a noise and flies excellently. Overall, an inexpensive wobbler with good quality.
Megabass Vision 110
The Megabass Vision 110 lure was originally designed for bass fishing, but then with further development a variety of colors were created that made it possible to catch almost anything you want, including pike. The wobbler weighs 14 grams, the length is 110 mm, which is small, and is equipped with three hooks. It can be cast with any rod.
Thanks to two iron balls located inside, it is suitable for experiments with wiring and flying. The result: a multifunctional bait with an interesting game. Good quality and great price.
Jackall Tiny Magallon
The Jackall Tiny Magallon body consists of two parts. Made of strong plastic, it has a smooth silicone tail that strongly attracts pike. Creates a small amplitude but wide turns in the water. Casting range and accuracy are good. The length of the different types of bait of this model ranges from 88 to 130 mm, weight on average 14-15 grams, equipped with two hooks. The best color is tiger so that the pike is sure to react to the wobbler.
The wiring is slow and leisurely. It is best to use this wobbler in grass thickets and small rivers. Bottom line: great appeal, good functionality and average price.
OSP Asura Rudra
OSP Asura Rudra is distinguished by its enormous power and impressive size. The length of the wobbler is 13 cm, equipped with three hooks, very light, as a result of which it floats higher to the surface of the water. The refined shape of the body promotes good flight and reduces water and air resistance.
This bait creates a very large amplitude, as a result of which it attracts an active, rather large pike. This specimen balances the best features of wobblers of other models. The only small drawback: the paintwork of the bait partially comes off after 3-5 successful fishing trips. The cost is low, the quality is good.
ZipBaits Rigge 90F
The ZipBaits Rigge 90F has a signature profile with a slight hump. The body of the wobbler in cross-section has the shape of a triangle, which contributes to the best reflection of light in all planes, as a result of which the pike notices prey much faster. The length of the fish is 90 mm, equipped with two hooks, weight about 6 grams, depth 0.5-1 m.
Made of hard plastic that even the largest pike will not chew through. In terms of wiring, the wobbler is only twitch. The casting of the bait is perfect. It has a balancing system. The quality and application are excellent, the price is above average.
Yo Zuri L Minnow 66
Yo Zuri L Minnow 66 is a wobbler that does not contain additional weighting balls, but is still perfectly maneuverable. The paint does not peel off even after 10 fishing trips. The length of the wobbler is small - 66 mm, it is equipped with two hooks.
Suitable for catching small pikes. Excellent for rivers. The wobbler is sinking, and it sinks quite quickly, as a result of which you can fish not only in shallow water, but also at great depths of reservoirs. flight performance is above average. One of the disadvantages is the lack of a long-distance casting system. Result: excellent performance and low price.
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Strike Pro Inquisitor 110SP
Strike Pro Inquisitor 110SP - new for 2014, is a copy of the Zip Baits Orbit 110 SP wobbler described above. Not a long casting range. The bait is easily and simply controlled and controlled when retrieving. High-quality fittings help to firmly and firmly hold the fish on the hook when hooking.
There are about 35 different colors that help you choose a wobbler for fishing in clear weather and cloudy weather, in good visibility and fog, in daylight and at night. Mainly used for twitching. Bottom line: good quality and characteristics, low price.
Kosadaka Ion XS 90F
Kosadaka Ion XS 90F is another top wobbler for pike with a modern magnetic balancing system.
The size of the bait is 90 mm, equipped with two hooks. Plays great when twitching. Develops a small amplitude and sinks during pauses. There is quite a loud noise, which greatly attracts predators.
The wobbler is designed for catching medium and large predators at any depth: from shallow water to wide depths. The color range contains options for the taste and color of the consumer; acidic ones are best suited so that you can monitor the bait during wiring. Bottom line: good functionality and reasonable price.
Deps Balisong 130 SP
Deps Balisong 130 SP is the most catchy wobbler for pike. It is 130 mm long and equipped with three hooks. Weight about 24-25 grams. There are a lot of color options. For example, color 06 is best used in muddy water when the bait is difficult to see. And colors 21 and 25 show up best in the fall.
This wobbler allows options for almost any wiring. During pauses, the bait sways. The paintwork is good. One of the main advantages is the long-distance casting system; with the right spinning rod, casts of tens of meters are quite possible. However, the price is also quite high.
There are certain wiring rules. In the upper layer of water it is necessary to carry out uniform smooth movements with a slight twitching of the rod tip. When the predator is deep underwater, sinking models of wobblers are used. The wiring should be stepped with short pauses. You must try to imitate a sick, wounded fish. The best time for catching pike in the summer is the morning, as at this time the pike comes out to hunt frogs in shallow water. The most successful time of year for pike fishermen is autumn, as at this time the pike begins to prepare for winter and search for food.
Types of wobbler wiring
There is no universal wiring for pike fishing, however, several methods can be distinguished:
| # | Wiring type | Peculiarities |
| 1 | Uniform | The simplest wiring, after casting, wait until the wobbler dives to a certain depth, you need to start winding the fishing line. The method is simple, but the result greatly depends on the performance of the wobbler itself. |
| 2 | Stepped | After casting, you need to wait until the tackle is at depth and make a couple of turns of the reel. After that, lightly but sharply pull the spinning rod, so the wobbler will quickly rise in the water column, attracting the attention of the predator. The main thing in such wiring is to try to keep the tackle within the required depth. |
| 3 | Aggressive | This type of wiring differs from the stepped one only in the sharper movements of the rod. |
| 4 | Demolition | For drift fishing, you need to choose a place with a good, even current. A suspended wobbler is used, which hangs in the water column at the same depth. After casting, the current should carry the suspender away, providing animation without effort on the part of the fisherman. |
| 5 | Stop and go | After casting, you need to slowly make a few turns of the reel, wait a while, then sharply jerk the tip of the rod. Often the fish bites during a pause, so the jerk can also become a hooking movement. |
| 6 | Twitching (twitch) | This is quite a dynamic, flexible and exciting wiring. The bait moves in the water due to jerks with the tip of the rod and subsequent pauses. Twitching imitates the behavior of prey well, so predatory fish willingly join the game and grab the bait. In addition, twitch allows you to experiment with the strength of jerks and the frequency and duration of pauses. This way you can depict both active fish and sleepy fry, depending on the fishing conditions. |
About
Catching pike with a wobbler and features of seasonal fishing
Let's look at the specifics of fishing with wobblers depending on the time of year.
in spring
After the spring meal, the pike becomes quite lethargic. During this period of time, the fisherman must very carefully select bait in order to interest the inactive predator. You may have to spend a lot of time traveling on foot or by boat to find a pike quiet in the seaweed.
In summer
In summer, pike tends to move away from the shore, as it does not like too warm water. At this time, the predator prefers deep holes, so you need to use sinking wobblers.
About
Wobbler selection
In general, most types, types and shapes of wobblers are suitable for catching toothy fish. These can be deep-sea deeps or surface poppers and walkers. Composite and solid baits, floating, sinking or hovering in the water. All of them are invented for certain conditions. Pike do not like too high-frequency bait play. Therefore, long or medium-length wobblers are suitable. When guiding, they make sweeping, amplitude movements. This is exactly what toothy likes.
There is a rule that in muddy water or at significant depths you need to place bright, acidic colors of bait.
In shallow and medium depths with clear water, it is preferable to use bait of natural colors and imitation of forage fish. Probably the rule works in about half the cases, but there are too many exceptions. For example, a predator begins to grab a bright green, acidic bait on a sunny day, in clear water. Moreover, “natural” minnows, roaches and squints are clearly inferior in terms of performance, even if we are talking about wobblers with the same characteristics.
One can only guess what caused such a love for very bright colors. Freshwater fish do not have coloring even close to this brightness. Some fishermen believe that pike attack not out of hunger, but in order to drive away an impudent competitor. Others believe that she bites simply out of curiosity. Be that as it may, the angler’s arsenal should contain both those and other colors of baits. You just have to accept it as a fact.
Recommended reading: Diversion leash
Wobblers for spring
Spring is not the best period for fishing with a wobbler. The spring feeding period for pike occurs before the snow completely melts, before spawning. This period is quite short, although at this time the probability of catching a trophy “mother” is high. The fish are weakened after wintering, and their bellies are filled with caviar or milk. You shouldn’t cast large wobblers at this time; it’s better to put a bait 5-8 cm long. This will be enough to tempt a pike weighing 2-3 kilograms or more. You should not use surface baits or those with small depths. The predator practically does not rise high at this time, which means the wobbler must be positioned at the bottom.
For summer
The frog bait can also be classified as a surface wobbler.
Thanks to the special arrangement of the hooks, the frog has good maneuverability in water thickets. In the summer, with the appearance of underwater vegetation, the spawned and already recovered pike begins to feed normally. At this time, the range of baits used expands significantly. The range of sizes is also getting larger. With the appearance of underwater vegetation and until the end of summer, surface baits begin to work well. Fishing with poppers becomes very spectacular and exciting. Their gurgling sounds and splashes attract attention from a long distance. Sometimes in shallow water, with the help of polarized glasses, you can even see how the pike moves towards the splashes of the bait.
With the advent of heat, the predator prefers to stay in deeper and colder layers of water. This applies to medium and large sized fish. This is where “Deep” class wobblers, equipped with a massive blade for deepening, come to the rescue. The depth of such baits reaches 4 - 5 meters and deeper. However, to dive to such a depth, the bait needs to travel a considerable distance. As a rule, during normal casting they do not reach their maximum depth. Therefore, deep-sea fish are used mainly in trolling fishing.
For autumn fishing
In autumn, as the water gets colder, fish activity decreases. Underwater creatures are trying to gain more fat before a long winter. To do this, you need a lot of food, but spend less energy. For this reason, pike begins to feed on larger fish than in summer and spring. As for wobblers, the size can already be safely set to 10 - 15 centimeters. This is quite a normal size even for a small autumn pike.
Surface and near-surface baits already work only during the days of autumn warming. In other cases, the pike goes deeper. The most popular wobblers in cold water are deep-sea lures or lures with medium depth.
The closer it gets to winter, the closer the pike stays to the wintering pits, finding a comfortable temperature and oxygen regime.
Recommended reading: What kind of bait does carp like?
Spinning fishing using wobblers is a very exciting activity. Which models and brands of these baits to buy is up to you to decide. One thing is for sure, thanks to the appearance of numerous clones on the market, the choice has increased significantly. You can search both in the expensive segment and in the middle and even cheap ones. I think many will agree with me, because tightly hooking a wobbler for a thousand or one and a half thousand is not the most pleasant event.
