Novice fisherman-going in August. As a novice, I will be happy with 20-24" pike and smaller. Do I need to buy three inch long spoons (3/4 oz Dardevle is just under 3 inches (my rod is rated for 1/4-3/4oz lures) or will the 2 1/4 inch work better for these more moderate-sized pike?

Will I possibly catch more fish with smaller lures?

The focus for this trip will not be fishing--I will be casting from a canoe (not trolling if that matters) and I will likely be shore fishing in evenings (is it even worth it to cast for pike from the shore in August?)

I thankyou in advance--I have been reading many of your posts for months now and I get the sense that bigger is almost always better with pike--but with my limited time--I wondered if I would be more successful--(catching any pike at all)--with something a little smaller (maybe you guys consider 3 inch Dardevle small?)

You should be fine with 3/4oz to 1oz daredevils for Pike in that size range. I only use the colors, black/white, red/white, yellow five of diamonds. Use a titanium leader and braid line.

#5 Mepps spinners are good, too.

Savage Voyageur: "You should be fine with 3/4oz to 1oz daredevils for Pike in that size range. I only use the colors, black/white, red/white, yellow five of diamonds. Use a titanium leader and braid line. "

+1 but braid isnt necessary , mepps musky killers are a great option (some new trebles on these) same with 1/2oz white spinnerbaits. my blk&wht daredevil has been my most productive spoon in the BW

Remember to bring a few metal leaders. Didn't want to assume that is obvious.

I wouldn't assume you'll only get into snot rockets just because you're using smaller lures. I don't specifically target pike a lot, because I don't do well compared to the ones I hook incidentally when I'm fishing for something else. I caught my biggest (34") jigging for walleye with a fathead minnow on a normal ball head jig (IIRC it was white or maybe glow), and my second biggest (~30") on a 1.5" impulse grub on a 1/16oz roadrunner while I was crappie fishing.

Thankyou guys!

This is great! I already have leaders purchased.
I was planning to get the classic Red White mostly because I stared at that lure and its little devil picture everytime I looked at lures as a kid.
I also plan to get a skirted black fury #5--same reason--the name captivated me as a kid.
If I think I have space-may add a black and white too!

I fish with mono. I seem to get a lot of line twist when I fish with daredevils. I use a snap swivel, but still get line twist. Should I be adding another in line swivel or something?

shock: "

Savage Voyageur: "You should be fine with 3/4oz to 1oz daredevils for Pike in that size range. I only use the colors, black/white, red/white, yellow five of diamonds. Use a titanium leader and braid line. "

+1 but braid isnt necessary , mepps musky killers are a great option (some new trebles on these) same with 1/2oz white spinnerbaits. my blk&wht daredevil has been my most productive spoon in the BW "

I suggested Braid line because of I can get way deeper hook sets on those toothy jaws. It’s also better when pulling treble hooks through heavy cover like weeds and branches. If you get it caught on a small rock there is a possibility you can pull it off with braid too. Mono line is like elastic and is stretchy, braid zero stretch. I’ll stick with 50# braid on my Pike and Musky rod. Braid is also more forgiving when it gets rubbed against rocks. Sure I’ve caught lots of Pike on mono, but in my opinion Braid is the way to go.

I really like your dressed spoons, I’m going to tie some on my treble hooks. Those Mepps are deadly on Pike.

^^^ i also use #50 braid on my modest musky set ups , i got my dressed treble from a seller on ebay , quality stuff , easy to find just type in dressed treble hooks ;) & yes the Mepps should be called PIKE KILLERS not musky killers as they are small for musky's but fantastic on Pike.