I'm heading to Cabela's this weekend to look for a fishing rod to use specifically with northern pike when fishing in the Boundary Waters. Does anybody have any recommendations on what I should be looking for in a two-piece rod? Any help would be much appreciated.

It all depends on how you intend to fish for them. A spring time rod, when the water is cold, the baitfish small and the weeds have not grown in, would be a very different choice than later on.

The other question would be is if you intend to use a spinning reel or a bait caster. Braid or mono?

Analyze what you intend to throw or troll and then get a rod which will do the job. If you are going to throw generally smaller type pike lures you could get a 7' bass flipping type rod. This would handle lures weighing up to a couple of ounces. I prefer a bit longer handle than shorter when using pike type rods.

My only hesitation is why get a 2 piece? A one piece rod fits very nicely delee under the seat and thwart and along the sides of your canoe. I just use nylon sleeves and can store up to 4 or 5 one piece rods like this and so far all have come through unscathed and remain in the boat on portages.

Match the rod to your chosen lures and lb test not vice versa.

I get your point on the one piece rod response. My concern would be what type of Rod would be best for casting super Shad raps with say 20 lb or 30 lb braid? I have a Pflueger president type spinning reel.

7 foot, 2 piece Fish Eagle 2.... medium heavy has done well for me for bigger pike and Lakers.

walllee: "7 foot, 2 piece Fish Eagle 2.... medium heavy has done well for me for bigger pike and Lakers. "

Sounds about right to me.

I really like the Super Shad Raps for bigger pike without having to have a broomstick rod. They are light enough to handle easily and yet big enough to move bigger fish. The Super Shad Raps will also take some very nice walleye. You can also fish them on spinning gear successfully as long as the reel isn't tiny. With 20 or 30lb braid I am assuming you intend to use spinning gear?

The Super Shad Raps dive to about 8' on a cast and 14' on a troll. Big Pike tend to slide up in the evening and get a snack before nightfall since they typically do not feed at night. Many guys will walleye fish in the evening but its prime time to bust a big pike.

This time of year bigger pike are more likely to relate to rock than big weed beds. That will definitely work in your favor with the lighter braid. Heavier weeds demand much heavier braid to handle bigger pike. After all, we dont want to talk about the "one that got away" but rather the big one that posed for a pic.

I like your approach. But you have to stay with it. Confidence is key. Pay attention and dont be surprised when Mr Big actually does decide to bite. Expectation is what often separates the guys who catch big fish and those who dont.

The Super Shad Raps require very little in hook sharpening. They are equipped with dura tin saltwater type hooks. If you do decide to sharpen the hooks be careful not to get the points so fine that they become weak and the tip breaks on a hook set.

For Pike & Bass i fish with a 2 piece ugly stik gx2 , model is USSP702M, and a size 30 spinning reel there is nothing subtle about a pike or SMB striking your lure.

i break down the rod during portages and secure the pieces together with a couple small bungees.

I usually use a 7'6'' medium heavy casting rod, mainly because it allows me to throw bigger lures (and troll and jig them, too, for both pike and lake trout).

You can certainly get tanker pike on lesser rods, but if you want to throw, jig, or troll dedicated "pike sized" gear, you'll probably prefer the heavier power rod. Just my .02.

I guess I would choose a pike rod that matches your potential lure size, line type/size. For me that would be a 7’ medium heavy rod with a fast tip that can handle at least a 1-2 Oz lure. You never know someday you might want to throw one of those huge Pike lures out at them. Big lures=big fish that takes a good sized rod.

I use an older Fenwick Techna AV 8' one-piece because I already had it for striper/rockfish. Seems like it was origionally advertised a muskey rod maybe, I cannot remember; but I like it. I works fine for cats too.

Thanks for all the help guys. My trip to Cabellas tomm. should be fruitful. I will also look for some of those big Pike lures that Masterangeler talks about.

oth: " I use an older Fenwick Techna AV 8' one-piece because I already had it for striper/rockfish. Seems like it was origionally advertised a muskey rod maybe, I cannot remember; but I like it. I works fine for cats too."

you may want to quit using that rod ?? could have some value

shock: "

oth: " I use an older Fenwick Techna AV 8' one-piece because I already had it for striper/rockfish. Seems like it was origionally advertised a muskey rod maybe, I cannot remember; but I like it. I works fine for cats too."

you may want to quit using that rod ?? could have some value
"

Old rod still doing what it was designed to do, means you don’t have to spend funds or time or energy worrying about finding a new rod that you’ll like. That’s my definition of value!

7 ft med. heavy fast action. One with a softer tip but a lot of backbone.

mgraber: "7 ft med. heavy fast action. One with a softer tip but a lot of backbone. "

+1

drrick: "Thanks for all the help guys. My trip to Cabellas tomm. should be fruitful. I will also look for some of those big Pike lures that Masterangeler talks about."

Its "Tangler" not angler........common mistake. I am still working on the whole master angler thing ;-)

Most of the pike lures I really like are not at Cabelas or any of the big box stores. First on the list for me of course is the Shadzillas or the Shadzilla jr which might be a better overall choice considering safety concerns while fishing out of a canoe. They are a very tough lure to beat when it comes to pike fishing IMO unless a bit of stealth is in order. Then I like an 8" Kalin black grub on a Hogy style sand eel jig head. Slick set up. The Jensen black bunny jigs also have quite the reputation for trophy pike.

The Super Shad Rap is a fine lure however and you should be able to get one or two or three at Cabelas. I am sort of partial to the perch color.

I'm going to second Tyh's recommendation for a 2 piece ugly stik gx2. While either the 7' medium (USSP702M) or the 7' medium-heavy will work (USSP701MH), I tend to prefer the MH version. These things are only about $40 and work great when paired with 30 lb braid.

I'll use the above set-up for throwing "small" sized musky/pike lures such as Williams Wabler spoons and Mepps #5 spinners. I always take a handful of big 6"~9" musky baits that I use with a baitcaster spooled with 80# braid.

I really like 2 piece rods for BWCA trips as I find it much easier to break down the rods for portaging and also when not in use in the canoe.

Dave

Drrick, I'm curious what you ended up purchasing for your big pike rod! I know I missed the boat on your timeline but I'll add that I use a 7' MH Fast Baitcaster for big pike throwing smaller muskie baits etc. I am considering going to a bigger Heavy Action Rod in order to land the fish faster and throw bigger baits (and double as a bass setup for heavy cover). Strongly considering this one as I've heard its fantastic for the money. 6.4.1 Ratio on the reel is a good versatile speed IMHO.
Sick Stick Combo

I'm with MT on the 1 piece rod. Just my personal preference. I'll keep it in a sleeve when not in use. In addition to the Super Shad Rap I'll add that the X-Rap was a good producer for me as well. Twiched it over leafy vegetation and it was lethal. I like the Orange/Gold Combo.

GickFirk22: "Drrick, I'm curious what you ended up purchasing for your big pike rod! I know I missed the boat on your timeline but I'll add that I use a 7' MH Fast Baitcaster for big pike throwing smaller muskie baits etc. I am considering going to a bigger Heavy Action Rod in order to land the fish faster and throw bigger baits (and double as a bass setup for heavy cover). Strongly considering this one as I've heard its fantastic for the money. 6.4.1 Ratio on the reel is a good versatile speed IMHO.
Sick Stick Combo


I'm with MT on the 1 piece rod. Just my personal preference. I'll keep it in a sleeve when not in use. In addition to the Super Shad Rap I'll add that the X-Rap was a good producer for me as well. Twiched it over leafy vtegetation and it was lethal. I like the Orange/Gold Combo. "

I was quite disappointed with the selection at Cabela's in Greenville South Carolina. They had several hundred rods and maybe a half-dozen two-piece rods out of the whole lot. The head fishing guy there said they catered to Bass fisherman. I may have to stick with the medium-heavy 7 Foot Ugly Stik I've had kicking around for a few years. Maybe one of the Outfitters in Ely will have something in a two piece profile.

Once you go Fly, you never go back. Get an 8 wt! :)