I consider northern pike to be akin to the “final boss” on any fishing trip. Large, strong, and armed with fearsome teeth, you’re going to need the proper tackle to bring them to the boat, and the best fishing line for pike is a huge part of that.
I prefer to use braided fishing line for pike as they aren’t particularly line shy and you’re going to need the strength of braid. The best fishing line for pike fishing that I’ve found is PowerPro Spectra Fiber Braided fishing line in anywhere from 20-50lb test, depending on what cover you’re fishing. You could use other braids as well, but I don’t know why you would as PowerPro is simply an incredible product.
While I prefer to use a solid braided line when fishing for pike, don’t worry. I’ll also talk about what monofilament, fluorocarbon, and even wire lines I’d consider for specialized applications. Sometimes they’re the best option depending on what you want to do.
Can Pike See Fishing Line?
Northern pike are sight predators and I promise you, they can see your fishing line. However, you shouldn’t worry about it, because pike don’t care. After all, they can also see your boat, you, and your rod figure eighting in the water right in front of them. They don’t care. They are neither line nor boat shy predators and often their aggression gets the best of them. Don’t believe me? Consider that some of the best pike waters are crystal clear lakes in Canada, and the pike grow so massive there that everyone and their brother is throwing a wire leader. Even though pike can clearly see this wire fishing line, it isn’t stopping them from biting now, is it?
The Different Fishing Lines for Pike To Choose From
There are several broad categories of fishing line on the market. While this may be old hat to some, if you’re new, here’s the major differences and also an explanation of when you should use these types of fishing line while fishing for pike. After all, the question of “what’s the best line for northern pike?” all depends on the situation.
Monofilament
Monofilament lines are what many of us started on. Their basically the go-to all around option for a host of fishing applications. They are relatively translucent, strong, and are quite affordable. They’re also significantly easier to handle than fluorocarbon lines of the same line test as they don’t have the same memory, or tendency to coil. One aspect of monofilament that you should be aware of is that they tend to stretch more than other lines. This can be a good thing or a drawback depending on what you’re looking to do.
When to Use Monofilament Fishing Lines for Pike
You’ll want to use monofilament line for for pike fishing when you’re using topwater lures, or other ones with thin treble hooks. Monofilament fishing line is ideal for both situations. It has a tendency to float, which means it won’t pull your topwater plug down and change its action. Further, the stretch it gives makes it less likely that you’ll pull a thin treble hook from the mouth of a pike while fishing with it. This can mean that monofilament is also a good fishing line for pike if you’re using crankbaits or other treble hook lures, at least in open water.
My personal favorite monofilament is simply Berkley Trilene XL. I’ve been using this as a kid and find that it has all the qualities I want in a monofilament line. While there are other brands out there that cost more (implying, right or wrong, that they might be “better”) I’ve never been let down by Berkley Trilene XL. Case in point, I actually received a letter of commendation, a pin, and a hat from them when I was seven or so and caught my first large northern pike while using their fishing line. I don’t know what that care package cost them but they secured a customer for life! If you want to try out the best monofilament fishing line for pike, pick up some Berkley Trilene XL today.
While monofilament fihsing lines aren’t renowned for their abrasion resistance, Berkley does offer another variation of their line which is tougher. Aptly named, “Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough,” this can be a good monofilament fishing line for pike if you’re fishing near heavy cover but still want the stretching and floating nature of mono vs. fluoro.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon lines are more difficult to use than monofilament as they have a high memory. This means that they will retain the shape of the spool on your reel and can be a pain to handle. You can, however, treat this with line conditioner such as Kevin Van Dam’s Line & Lure Conditioner. You should definitely do this, because once you tame it, flurocarbon is a great fishing line for pike. First, it’s nearly invisible underwater compared to other lines and also is very abrasion resistant. Many pike leaders are made with fluorocarbon for both of these reasons.
When to Use Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines for Pike
Fluorocarbon is the best fishing line to use for pike if you’re fishing near a bunch of abrasion-causing structure, such as rocks, or if the water is extra clear and the pike are spooky. While you will need to cut off line and retie after some time fishing near rocks and other sharp structure, chances are that fluorocarbon will at least last long enough to get your lure and your fish to the boat when hooked.
My favorite fluorcarbon fishing line for pike (or any species, really) is Seaguar InvizX. I’m kind of a meat and potatos guy and frankly the lines I’ve chose are ones that were recommended to me many moons ago over on ultimatebass.com. The guys over there really liked this stuff back when I was starting to really get into fishing as an adult. The reason I love it is I find it is much easier to use than other types of fluorocarbon, especially if you match it with that line conditioner I talked about above. I’m sure there are other products by now that also do the trick, but when I find a product I like, I tend to keep buying it forever.
You can also use regular fluorocarbon line as a leader, though I’d definitely up the pound test if you’re hoping to get past pike teeth. The more common reason to use fluorocarbon line as a leader is for situations where fish are line shy and you don’t want them to focus on your main line of braid or such. Since pike aren’t really too line shine of a species, this may not be a big deal for you.
Braid
Braided fishing line is the best fishing line you can use for northern pike. They aren’t a line shy species at all, and so the fact that braid is so visible doesn’t matter. Braided fishing lines are exceptionally strong for their diameter, which makes fishing for northern pike with spinning gear viable. Since 20lb test braided line has the same diameter as 6lb monofilament, it easily can work on even 3000 series spinning reels. Braid has absolutely no stretch however, so it can be a poor choice when treble hooks. You can compensate somewhat by reducing your drag.
When to Use Braided Fishing Lines for Pike
Braided fishing line works well for pike in most conditions. It’s easier to talk about the times you shouldn’t use it than the times you should. I hesitate to use braid when I’m fishing with treble hooks as it has so little stretch that it can easily pull the hooks out of a fish’s mouth. You also don’t usually want to use braid in situations where the fish are line shy, though that usually isn’t a problem for northerns. If it is, you can always tie on a fluorocarbon leader to help out.
I like using braided line when trolling for pike or pickerel as I’m usually doing this near weeds. Braided fishing line does a good job of slicing through weeds and it can reduce the amount of times you get hung up and have to reset your approach.
Of all the braids out there, I’ve been fishing with PowerPro forever. Again, this is another thing I picked up over at ultimatebass, where it seemed everyone was tossing this stuff. Near as I can tell, they still are. It’s a great product that holds up well over the years. I don’t normally have to respool until my spool runs low due to retying lines. You don’t need to bother changing it out each year as it is still fine. I definitely recommend heading over to Amazon and picking a spool or ten up.
Should You Use a Leader for Pike?
The question of if you should use a leader for pike is, as most things, situational. Pike have a nasty habit of biting through many lines, especially if they’re large. Some lures like spinnerbaits have a bit of built-in tooth protection in their bent wire frames. Still, the bigger the pike the more likely it’ll inhale a lure to the point that it has a chance to cut the line regardless of what you’re fishing.
If you’re using a lure that you don’t want to lose, such as an expensive jerkbait, a wire leader can be a godsend when fishing for northern pike. You have a few different options for leaders. You can purchase premade leaders made of steel or fluorocarbon, or you can buy a knottable wire product and use your own knots.
What Line Strength is Best for Pike?
Northern pike aren’t generally buried in heavy cover like largemouth bass sometimes are, so I don’t know that you’d really need the same monster line strength braid as you do fishing frogs in the slop, for example. You should be just fine using 20 – 30lb braid when fishing for pike. This is strong enough to handle the largest pike you’re likely to encounter in North America. If you’re fishing in Europe, you may want to bump this up a bit.
The Best Pike Line for Special Situations
To further complicate matters, different types of fishing line will prove best when fishing for pike in certain situations.
Best Fly Line for Pike Fishing
I don’t fly fish, but if I was going to fly fish for pike, I’d check out this page by esoxonly to learn about the best fly line for pike. The author gives all sorts of recommendations for the best fly line for pike fishing depending on if you want a floating line or one that sinks. He’s pushing a brand of line called Scientific Angler and makes a good case for it. Go show his site some love and check it out. To be honest, it’s one of the best articles on line I’ve ever read.
Best Line for Trolling for Pike
I’m a big believer in using braided fishing line when trolling for pike. Usually when you’re trolling for pike or pickerel you’re doing so in a weedy bay. The braided line cuts through the errant weed here and there very well. Another benefit that makes braided fishing line the best for trolling for pike is how it doesn’t stretch. Pike will do a good job of hooking themselves on a trolling pass if you use braid.
As mentioned earlier, I like using PowerPro braided line for pike, and it’s no different when I’m trolling. I’ve had much success with this fishing line over the years and see no difference to change things up and try anything else.
Best Pike Line for Heavily-Pressured Waters
If you’re fishing for pike in heavily-pressured waters, you might want to try using fluorocarbon. While northern pike aren’t normally afraid of fishing line, and will bite lures right next to a boat, to the extent they’re heavily pressured, even they will (eventually) learn. When pike are spooky, fluorocarbon might give you an extra edge as it is more difficult fishing line for pike to see. Seaguar InvizX is a solid choice.
Best Pike Line for Night Fishing
When fishing for pike at night it can help if you can see your line even if the fish can’t. Power Pro makes a high visibility yellow version of their line that you might find useful for nocturnal pike fishing. This will help you detect bites when you are using lures that don’t make the bite obvious.
Best Pike Line for Ice Fishing
Those who ice fish for pike tend to recommend using a specially “ice braid”. Suffix 832 makes such a product that you can purchase here. This line is specifically designed to be used in icy waters because the braid has a tighter weave than traditional braid and also has a coating that is water-repellent. Because of this, the braid is less likely to freeze up and get ice chunks on it than regular braided lines would as it doesn’t have the microscopic nooks and crannies for water to collect in that normal braid does.
Conclusions: The Best Fishing Line for Northern Pike Is Situational
In conclusion, the best fishing line for northern pike is highly dependent on the situation. If you’re on a budget, or tossing lures with thin treble hooks, then monofilament line might work well for you. On the other hand, fluorocarbon is probably the best line for pike when fishing around obstructions. With all that said, my favorite line for fishing with pike is by far braid. It’s strong, reliable, easy to use, and doesn’t seem to scare pike away any. When I’m trying to catch the biggest predator in the lake, I’m tossing braided fishing line for pike, all day long.
I hope this article was helpful to you!
Thanks,
Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!
