Updated 2/13/2024
Any angler that’s fished in waters prowled by northern pike can attest to the unbridled aggression these fish bring to the table. They are more than happy to rocket out of the weeds and hit most kinds of baits. Pike are considered by-catch by many anglers trying to target bass, walleye, or musky, but don’t need to be! Trophy pike can exceed 40 inches and are a blast to catch with the right equipment for the job. All fishing setups hinge around the fishing rod so it’s important to have the best pike rod available.
We’ve done the hours of testing and research on the best pike rods assessing versatility, value for the price, material quality, and much more so you don’t have to. Read on to see our top picks.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Our Top Picks
- Best for the Money: St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting
- Best Under $100: KastKing Perigee II Casting Rod
- Best for Huge Pike: St. Croix Mojo Musky Casting Rod
- Best Spinning: St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinning
- Best for Beginners: Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod
The Best Pike Rods
The best pike rods have many similarities to bass rods. Rods marketed for bass fishing are great all-around choices to catch pike because they have the right length, action, and power to effectively target these fish. If truly seeking a trophy sized pike, we recommend heavier duty rods, like those marketed for musky fishing, because of their extra length and strength.
Read on to see our recommendations for the best pike fishing rods by category including best all-around, best for different price points, best for beginners, and more.
1. St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting
- Length: 6’8″ to 7’11”
- Rod Material: SCIII Carbon
- Guides: Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with Aluminum Oxide Rings
- Grip: Split premium cork grip
- Warranty: 5 Year
Pros:
- Great variety in available length, power, and action
- Premium rod at manageable price
- Excellent Warranty
Our choice for best pike fishing rod for the money is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod. We have found this rod line to be the perfect balance of quality components, versatility, and price point. The Mojo Bass rods are workhorses of the bass fishing world and offer the perfect range of lengths, powers, and actions to also target pike.
What sold us on this rod for the top choice is how much value you get for the price. Other rods on this list may be slightly lighter or more sensitive, but generally their price point will be significantly higher. We’re suckers for a great deal and the Mojo bass is a great deal.
The Mojo Bass Casting comes in a great spread of lengths, powers, and actions. The best choice for a first pike fishing rod is the 7’1″ medium power fast action variant. For targeting huge pike, size up to the 7’6″ medium-heavy power or 7’10” heavy power.
This rod line was updated in 2016. The rod blank is St. Croix’s proprietary SC III graphite fiber which is lightweight, durable, and sensitive with a higher strain rate than fibers commonly used by other rod manufacturers. It also includes St. Croix’s innovative IPC tooling technology that effectively eliminates transition points in the rod. The Mojo Bass rod line is on the lighter end of available bass rods with superior sensitivity without sacrificing strength.
2. KastKing Perigee II
- Length: 4’6″ to 7’6″
- Rod Material: Carbon Fiber
- Guides: Fuji O-Ring
- Grip: Split EVA Foam
- Warranty: Lifetime manufacturing defects only for handling fee. Lifetime accidental damage for 1/2 rod price plus handling fee.
Pros:
- Budget friendly
Don’t let the low price fool you. KastKing’s Perigee II fishing rod line provides surprising quality at a budget price which makes it our choice for best pike rod under $100. We like that the medium heavy and heavy versions of the Perigee II line have crossover for bass fishing.
We recommend the 7’4″ heavy power and the 7’6″ medium-heavy power casting versions of this rod for great budget pike fishing rods.
This rod is a breath of fresh air in the budget fishing space. A full carbon fiber blank keeps weight low and sensitivity high.
This is also one of our top choices for budget flipping and pitching bass fishing rods. We like for our equipment to work for multiple applications to save money. Check out our article on best flipping and pitching rods for further reading.
3. St. Croix Mojo Musky Casting
- Length: 6’10” to 9’6″
- Rod Material: SCIII Carbon
- Guides: Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with Aluminum Oxide Rings
- Grip: Split premium cork grip or foam depending on model
- Warranty: 5 Year
Pros:
- Perfect length and power options for musky
- Excellent Warranty
Our choice for best pike rod for huge pike is the St. Croix Mojo Musky Casting Rod. We have found this rod line to be the perfect balance of quality components, versatility, and price point. The Mojo Musky is essentially the Mojo Bass on steroids, offering much longer and heavier options.
It should be no surprise that using a rod meant for the northern pike’s larger cousin, the musky, would be a great option to target the largest pike in the lake.
The Mojo Musky Casting rod comes in the perfect spread of lengths, powers, and actions. The best choice for a pike rod to target huge pike is either the 7’6″ medium-heavy power or 8’6″ heavy power variant.
The rod blank is St. Croix’s proprietary SC III graphite fiber which is lightweight, durable, and sensitive with a higher strain rate than fibers commonly used by other rod manufacturers. It also includes St. Croix’s innovative IPC tooling technology that effectively eliminates transition points in the rod.
4. St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinning
- Length: 6’8″ to 9’6″
- Rod Material: SCIII Carbon
- Guides: Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with Aluminum Oxide Rings
- Grip: Split premium cork grip
- Warranty: 5 Year
Pros:
- Premium rod at manageable price
- Excellent Warranty
Our choice for best pike spinning rod is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinning Rod. Many anglers prefer to use spinning rods and reels when they fish. For targeting pike with spinning gear, it’s important to have enough rod backbone to effectively reel in medium to large fish.
The 7’1″, medium power, fast action version is perfect for a spinning pike fishing setup.
Just like with the Mojo Bass casting line, the rod blank is St. Croix’s proprietary SC III graphite fiber which is lightweight, durable, and sensitive with a higher strain rate than fibers commonly used by other rod manufacturers. The Mojo Bass rod line is on the lighter end of available rods with superior sensitivity without sacrificing strength.
We also recommend this rod for anglers uncomfortable using casting reels. Baitcasting setups are more difficult to cast, but can be cast more accurately than spinning rods by proficient anglers.
This rod comes with St. Croix’s 5-year warranty. As mentioned with the casting variant, this rod line is the perfect balance of quality and rod sensitivity for the price.
Check out our article on the best bass spinning rods for additional options if truly interested in a spinning pike setup.
5. Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod
- Length: 6’6″ to 7’11”
- Rod Material: Carbon
- Guides: Titanium alloy guides with zirconium inserts
- Grip: Split EVA Foam
- Warranty: 3 year limited
Pros:
- Solid quality for manageable price point
Our top choice for best pike rod for beginners is the Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod. The Veritas is an excellent value proposition for new anglers that balances quality components with a reasonable price point.
The 7’6″ medium-heavy or heavy power versions are a great starting point for beginners trying pike fishing. This rod is also a good option for bass fishing. Versatility of equipment should always be a consideration for anglers that don’t have a huge selection of fishing rods.
The rod blank includes Abu Garcia’s PowerLux 100 which they claim delivers a 15% stronger and 5% lighter rod. The rod has higher end guides than we’d expect on a rod of this price point and the 3 year warranty is solid.
We think this rod is a great value proposition for beginners and expert anglers alike looking for a quality rod at a decent price.
Check out our article on the best beginner fishing rods for other great options.
Best Pike Rods Comparison Table
Check out this handy table comparing some of the key features of the rods on our list.
| Rod Name | Length | Rod Material | Guides | Grip | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting | 6’8″ to 7’11” | SCIII Carbon | Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with Aluminum Oxide Rings | Split premium cork grip | 5 Year |
| KastKing Perigee II | 4’6″ to 7’6″ | Carbon Fiber | Fuji O-Ring | Split EVA Foam | Lifetime manufacturing defects only for handling fee. Lifetime accidental damage for 1/2 rod price plus handling fee. |
| St. Croix Mojo Musky Casting | 6’10” to 9’6″ | SCIII Carbon | Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with Aluminum Oxide Rings | Split premium cork grip or foam depending on model | 5 Year |
| St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinning | 6’8″ to 9’6″ | SCIII Carbon | Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with Aluminum Oxide Rings | Split premium cork grip | 5 Year |
| Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod | 6’6″ to 7’11” | Carbon | Titanium alloy guides with zirconium inserts | Split EVA Foam | 3 year limited |
Conclusion
Pike fishing requires some of the heaviest duty equipment available on the market. Medium sized pike are best fished with medium to medium-heavy power gear like many bass fishing rods. For targeting the biggest trophy pike that could exceed 40 inches long and 20 lbs, anglers can need heavy duty rods to handle both these massive fish and the big baits used to catch them.
Our top choice for pike rods is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod. Bass rods on the medium to medium-heavy side are perfect for pike fishing. St. Croix’s mid-west roots really shine with their superior selection of freshwater fishing rods applicable for pike.
Check out our articles for great reels to pair with these rods:
Check out our related rod articles:
- Best Musky Rods
- Best Trolling Rods
- Best Bass Spinning Rods
- Best Flipping & Pitching Rods
- Best Frog Fishing Rods
- Best Walleye Rods
- Best Ultralight Fishing Rods
Read on to see our breakdown of important factors to consider when picking a pike fishing rod.
How to Choose The Best Pike Fishing Rod
Selecting the best pike fishing rod includes considerations for rod powers, lengths, actions, and materials.
For even more reading, check out our article on how to choose any fishing rod.
Length
Rod length is an important consideration for pike anglers. Longer rods allow for longer casts with less effort while shorter rods allow for improved casting accuracy. The best pike rods are between 7′ and 8′ which is a great balance of casting distance and comfort for the angler.
Longer rods are easier to cast heavy pike baits long distances. This is important to consider if you don’t want to be exhausted by the end of a day fishing!
Additionally, like with experienced musky anglers, some pike anglers like to perform what is called a ‘figure-eight’ at the end of a retrieve. This is simply moving the bait by the boat without reeling in a motion that resembles the number 8 to see if a pike is following the bait but hasn’t decided to strike yet. Figure eights are much easier with longer rods.
Power
Rod power is the fishing industry’s terminology for rod stiffness. Rod powers range from ultralight to extra-heavy.
Medium to heavy power rods are great all-around rod powers for pike fishing. For smaller bucktails, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits, medium power is a perfect. For massive swimbaits or the largest lures, go with heavy or even extra-heavy power. Angler be warned, heavy rods and huge baits can be tiring to cast all day long!
Action
Rod action refers to how far down the rod will bend when pressure is applied to the tip. Rod actions range from extra-fast (bends near tip) to slow (nearly the whole rod bends).
The faster the action, the more sensitive the rod will feel. The slower the action, the more casting distance you can get (the rod will feel like it whips more when you cast).
The best pike rod action depends on the fishing technique. Single hook techniques that require a firm hookset, like spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, are best with fast or extra-fast actions to allow for a firm hookset. Sweeping hooksets with treble hooks on cranks baits are great with moderate-fast and fast actions.
Check out our article on fishing rod actions for even more information.
Portability
Portability is an important factor for any fishing pole. Anglers purchasing a pike fishing rod should consider how they are going to transport the rod. Ensure the length rod will fit in your boat or vehicle. Seven foot rods will fit in most vehicles but anything above 7’6″ may not fit in boat rod storage or smaller vehicles. Additionally, think about getting a 2 piece rod if portability is a major concern.
Handle Material
Rod handle feel is an important factor to consider when picking a pike fishing rod. Common handle types are full cork, partial cork, rubber shrink tube, cork tape, or EVA foam. Rubber shrink is usually considered a more budget option, whereas full cork feels better to grip and handle. Some people consider foam easier to grip when wet.
Rod Guide Material
Rod guide material is important because lower quality materials are heavier and will rust quicker and could potentially fail.
The highest end rods have titanium or silicone carbide (SiC) rod guides whereas middle end or budget rods will have some variation of aluminum oxide or stainless steel.
Higher end rod guides are made with lighter materials with lower friction that will either rust slower or not at all. Less expensive rod guides are heavier and will succumb to the elements more quickly.
For additional information on rod guide considerations, check out our article that explains fishing rod guides in detail.
Rod Material
Rod blank material affects rod strength and how the fishing rod deforms during casting or reeling in a fish. Common rod materials are graphite, fiberglass, and composite. Check out our deep dive on rod blanks for more information.
Graphite
Graphite rods have incredible sensitivity in lightweight packages. They are great for detecting subtle fish strikes. Graphite rod disadvantages are that the rods can be a little weaker than the other options and more susceptible to breakage, especially around nicks or scratches.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is strong, durable and flexible but weighs more than graphite. They are less sensitive than the other types of rod materials.
Composite
Composite rod materials are a mix of graphite and fiberglass that seek to have the light weight and sensitivity of graphite rods with the strength of fiberglass rods.
Reel Seat
Reel seats are the component where the fishing reel is secured onto the fishing rod by tightening a locking nut. The basic parts of a reel seat are the body, hood, locking nut, and barrel threads. Common reel seat materials are either graphite or aluminum which are both lightweight, corrosion resistant materials. Reel seats are sized to match the power of the rod. For example, a reel seat on an ultralight fishing rod won’t fit a massive 10000 size spinning reel.
Most freshwater applications utilize fully graphite reel seats due to graphite’s light weight. For heavier duty saltwater applications, reel seats are commonly upgraded to machine-grade aluminum for increased strength. For targeting the largest fish on the planet, the complete rod butt and reel seat can be aluminum for maximum strength.
Maintenance and Care
Maintaining your fishing rod ensures its longevity and performance. After each use, rinse it with fresh water to remove dirt and debris, especially if you’ve been fishing in saltwater. Dry it thoroughly before storage to prevent rust and corrosion. Occasionally check for any signs of wear or damage. Store your rod vertically or horizontally on a rack, avoiding extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
Explore our ultimate guide on fishing rod maintenance and care for comprehensive insights into maintaining your pike fishing rods, avoiding common causes of damage, and mastering preventative strategies to ensure your gear remains in prime condition.
Pike Fishing Rod Frequently Asked Questions
What type of rod is best for pike fishing?
Casting rods are considered the best for pike fishing because of their casting accuracy and comfort for prolonged sessions compared to spinning rods. Pike fishing uses big baits that are perfect for casting setups. Also, any minor improvements to comfort when casting heavy baits will add up over a long day fishing. Casting rods around 7’6″ feet long with medium to heavy power and fast action are perfect all around choices for pike rods.
What reel to pair with pike fishing rod?
Pike fishing rods are best paired with high-quality reels that match the rod type. Most pike anglers use baitcasting reels on casting rods. Higher end reels will have smoother drag and better brake systems which can make them easier to fish for extended periods of time.
Check out our article on the best pike reels for our top recommendations for reels to pair with casting rods.
What is the nickname for pike?
Northern pike have many different names depending on where you live. The most common names in the Midwest are northerns, shakers, and snot-rockets. In Canada, northern pike are commonly called jackfish.
What is the best length pike fishing rod?
The most versatile, all around best length pike fishing rod is 7’6″ feet long. This length rod is a perfect balance of accuracy, casting distance, and comfort for the angler. It’s also long enough for most anglers to comfortably perform a figure-eight alongside the boat to check for fish following the bait.
What pound test line for a pike fishing rod?
65 pound braid is the best all-around line rating for targeting huge pike. This line has enough strength to handle reeling in huge pike, pulling baits out of snags, and dealing with the forces involved with casting massive pike baits. For multi-purpose fishing, like bass and pike, 15 to 20 lb braid main like with an optional 40 to 60 lb fluorocarbon leader is a great option.
Is mono or braid better for pike fishing?
Braided fishing line is preferable for pike fishing because it has significantly smaller diameter for the same strength line when compared to mono. Braided line can be cast further and also has less tendency line twist than mono. Pike anglers may use heavy duty line, and the ability to fit more braid than mono on the reel spool is an important consideration.
Written By: Andrew Juran
Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught hundreds of pike using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.
For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram
