Northern Pike Lures: Northern Pike Fishing With Jigs

Jigs are not normally associated with Northern Pike fishing, but that does mean they are not a viable choice to employ while trying to land a lunker. These non-traditional Northern Pike lures are great during specific seasons and weather events.

It is best to use jigs during times when pike are less active, because they are a slow-moving lure, unlike spoons and spinners, which are virtually constantly in motion. A lethargic pike will be more likely to hit a lure when it is also sluggish. Try fishing with jigs in early spring or late fall, when the water is cold. You may also have some success with jigs after a cold front has passed through.

One of the most important considerations when using jigs is the weight of the jig. A good jig weight is anywhere between 3/8 oz. and 7/8 oz. A jig that is too light will not stick around the bottom of the lake. Conversely, a overly heavy jig will sink too quickly. Pike make the decision to strike as the jig is descending; if a weighty jig plummets to the bottom too fast, the pike will not have enough time to decide whether or not to strike.

There are several types of jigs that work well for Northern Pike fishing. Round jigheads can be used in clean, weed-free areas. Brushguard jigs will work well in weedy areas. Another jig that can be used in weedbeds are swimmerhead jigs; they remain above the weeds. As previously explained, jigs do not provide much movement, and it is their shape that determines how they will move in the water, if they happen to supply any motion at all. The way in which jigs move is up to the angler, who creates movement during the retrieval process and also by twitching the rod.