7 Best Pike Rod & Reel Combos - (Full Guide On Baitcaster/Multiplier, Spinning & Dead bait Pike Fishing Combos)
Choosing a rod and reel can be tricky. When pike strike, you want to be sure that you've got a setup with enough 'grunt' to get them into the net.
So what's the answer? The best pike fishing rod and reel combos are already balanced straight 'out of the box' and are well worth looking at.
In this article, we will show you a range of the best pike rod and reel combos and offer some advice on what is right for you.
There are cheaper pike setups, beginner combos, premium combos and more. See If you can find one that suits your taste and budget.
Strapped For Time?
If you haven't got the time to read the full article. This is what this section is for. So the answer to the question is as follows...
The best pike rod and reel combos are:
Best Pike Multiplier/Baitcaster Rod & Reel Combo:
- Abu Garcia Black Max Rod & Reel Combo
- Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Combo
- Abu Garcia 6ft'6 Pro Max Baitcast Fishing Combo
Best Pike Spinning Rod & Reel Combo:
Best Pike Deadbait Rod & Reel Combo:
Best Pike Budget Rod & Reel Combo:
Best Pike Rod & Reel Combo For Beginners:
Read on to see more information on the best pike fishing rod and reel combos as well as more detail on our chosen 7.
The Importance of a Good Pike Rod and Reel Combination
A rod or your reel, which is more important?
The short answer?
Both.
You need a nicely balanced setup where both the rod and the reel complement each other. A reel that can't keep up with a powerful rod is no good.
Trying to cast with a wet noodle while having the best pike reel on the market won't yield any better results.
You ideally the rod and reel to match in terms of quality. Also, by choosing the best pike rod and reel combos, you can fish with confidence, knowing that both halves of the setup were custom-designed to work together.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some great options for you to consider…
Best Pike Multiplier/Baitcaster Rod & Reel Combo
Abu Garcia Black Max Rod & Reel Combo
Baitcasters are a smaller, lighter version of a multiplier reel and they can be a great option when fishing for pike.
Considering you get an Abu Garcia rod and high-quality reel, we think this is superb value for money!
At just under 7ft, this rod is ideal for moving around. Both the rod and the reel are really lightweight, making it a great choice if you like to chuck plugs and lures all day.
The reel is the perfect pairing for this rod. With 5 + 1 ball bearings, it is silky smooth in the retrieve and will also aid casting distance.
Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Combo
While similar to our previous suggestion, this rod, as the name suggests, is a little shorter, lighter and has a generally lower profile.
Again you are going to get that signature Abu Garcia quality. We really like the eye-catching black and red combination.
The reel is aluminium, meaning the weight is really low. You'll also find that it is very corrosion resistant, giving excellent performance and longevity.
The rod rings are stainless steel and coated with zirconium… or glass if we are being non-technical. This gives a silky retrieve and will also help get a long cast, even with lighter lures.
Abu Garcia Pro Max Baitcast Fishing Combo
Slightly more expensive?
Why?
This is a real professional setup that will handle any pike you are lucky enough to hook.
The reel is very lightweight. The spool is made from graphite, which is strong, and will prevent fatigue on those long day sessions. One great feature is the patented rocket line management system. This makes it suitable for several different types of line.
Which line is best to use?
Why not check out our guide on the best pike fishing lines right here?
Another in the sub-7-foot range. You'll find a medium-fast blank, just perfect for whipping out lures to a considerable distance.
One of the best rod and reel combos for pike on our list.
Best Pike Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
Berkley Cherrywood Spinning Rod & Reel Combo Set
If bait casters aren't for you, then a traditional spinning set will be just the ticket.
Don't let the red colour put you off. This pike rod and reel combo work like a charm.
At 10 feet, it is the optimal length to be manageable yet long enough to rocket a spinner a good distance.
The reel features an aluminium spool. This helps to keep the weight down and provides a high degree of corrosion resistance.
The entire setup is capped with a medium action. This will offer significant pulling power and also helps to get a good cast, especially with heavier lures.
Best Pike Deadbait Rod & Reel Combo
Fox Predator Elite X & Shimano Catana RC
If you've read our article on the best pike fishing rods, you'll already know how much we rate Fox's fishing tackle.
This rod might be a little to the upper end of the budget, but it is a joy to use.
With a 3.25lbs test curve its just perfect for those bigger pike.
This rod is surprisingly lightweight. When holding it in hand, it just feels quality, the EVA handle is premium, and the line guides are all lined to offer smooth performance.
But wait, we said the best pike fishing rod and reel combo?
Indeed, we did!
Pair it up with the Shimano Catana RC for the ultimate dead baiting setup...
This reel is in a class all of its own. If you are a regular coarse fisherman, you'll have undoubtedly heard of it before.
The Shimano Catana is a lightweight reel made entirely of stainless steel and aluminium. It looks and feels of great quality.
It is silky smooth in the retrieve, and there is absolutely zero play in any of the moving parts. It's crisp and clean, in both looks and performance.
You'll notice fewer ball bearings. This is a great sign that the internal mechanics are precision engineered and don't need extra to help them function smoothly.
Whether you are using braid, mono, or even fluoro, you'll find that the varispeed oscillation system gives a really nice line lay, allowing you tangle-free retrieval and casting.
It also means you'll get significantly more distance with each cast too!
Best Pike Budget Rod & Reel Combo
Kinetic Fantastica CC Spinning Combo
If you are just getting into pike fishing or aren't sure whether it will be for you, you don't want to be spending a fortune.
This is the answer.
There's plenty to like in both the rod and the reel.
First, the rod. We'd opt for the 8' version. This will offer a nice balance between portability, casting and pulling power.
The action is geared slightly toward the tip, giving you options with the size of lure you use.
The graphite reel seat will help to keep the reel snug and secure, perfect for repeated casts and retrieves throughout the day.
Speaking of the reel, we were amazed at how good it was for the money.
It has a lot of premium features, including a lightweight and strong graphite body. The rotor is also graphite, as is the spool, making it one of our list's lightest pike spinning reels.
And here's the best bit. You don't even need to worry about buying line, as it comes included as part of the combo!
Best Pike Rod & Reel Combo for Beginners
Mitchell Tanager Camo Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
There's often a misconception in fishing that beginners should start out with gear that is no good and have to 'earn their stripes' before they can 'graduate' to better quality tackle.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Proof?
This excellent pike fishing rod and reel combo. It isn't expensive, but it will be more than adequate, not just for beginners, but for those seeking to advance to a better level.
Mitchell has been around for years and used to be considered a very premium brand. The green camo finish on both the rod and the reel is pretty eye-catching and different.
Speaking of the rod, at 10 ft, this is the perfect length for someone just starting out. It will allow you to cast a variety of lure weights without the rod feeling too unwieldy.
The rod is made of fibreglass, so it will be pretty tough and resistant to accidental damage too!
The reel is smooth in the cast and the retrieve too, you'll even get a spool of line to help.
Final Thoughts
Pike fishing, while requiring a little specialist tackle, needn't be difficult. With our superb selection of the best pike fishing rod and reel combos, you are bound to find something that will get you out on the water and into some pretty decent fish.
Look for a balanced setup made by the same manufacturer to gain utter confidence that you are fishing in the best possible way. Remember, if you go even half decent with the rod, you could even upgrade your tackle once you advance.
A new reel makes all the difference. Be sure to check out our article on the best reel for pike fishing while you are here. Enjoy!
Thanks for reading.
Tight Lines!
All of the fishing tackle featured in this article can be found at one of the following online shops...
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