How to Rig Live Bait for Pike
The experts agree--live bait is the very best tool for catching hungry northern pike. Whether you're just getting started pike fishing or are ready to wrestle a hard-fighting game fish, knowing how to rig live bait is a skill you must acquire.
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Things You'll Need
- Heavy duty steel leader
- Treble hook
- Crimp sleeves
- Bait hook
- Bullet weights
- Spinner (optional)
- Heavy duty barrel swivel
Instructions
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Start with 2 feet of heavy duty steel leader. Crimp a treble hook on the end. Which size hook you use depends on what size pike you're fishing for.
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Slide a crimp sleeve over the line, then add a live bait hook. Decide how far you want it from the treble hook and crimp it in place so that it won't moved when the fish strikes. Usually the distance from treble hook to bait hook should be a little shorter than the bait fish.
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Add another crimp sleeve, then some bullet weights, up to 2 ounces.
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Put a spinner on above this and crimp it into place if you like; this step is completely optional.
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Crimp a heavy duty barrel swivel onto the line, and you are done. It is now ready to be attached to your fishing line and used to catch pike. Just impale the live bait fish on the bait hook, usually through either the mouth or the nostril, and you're ready to go.
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Tips & Warnings
You can purchase tackle for a live bait rig. Buy complete kits, like those offered at Musty Bill's Tackle. Just follow the pictured rigging instructions they include and you're good to go.
