Northern Pike Rods & Reels

Baitcasting

6'6" or 7' medium/heavy casting rod, rated for 10-20 lb. test line, and heavier lure weights - Although one-piece rods offer superior casting control, feel, and hook setting properties, transporting these into the far north is a problem. Therefore, we suggest a high quality two-piece rod. Longer handle lengths are definitely an asset, as they provide increased leverage when it comes to fighting large fish.
High-performance, well-maintained casting reel, loaded with NEW 10-20 lb. test quality line - The ideal Northern Pike casting reel should have a large line capacity, with a heavy duty, smooth drag system. Gear ratio is not a major factor in Northern Pike fishing, as baits are seldom "ripped".

Spinning

6'6" or 7' medium/heavy spinning rod, rated for 10-20 lb. test line and heavier lure weights - As with baitcasting rods, longer handles are definitely an asset.
High-performance, larger-capacity, spinning reel, loaded with NEW 10-20 lb. test quality line - Line capacity and a smooth, responsive, heavy duty drag system are essential.

Northern Pike Tackle

Hard Baits

Spinners - such as Mepps and Bluefox. Bucktail and marabou dressed spinners are very effective. Larger sizes and an assortment of colours is a good idea.
Topwater Baits - such as floating Rapalas, Zara Spooks, Bomber Long "A", etc. Colors such as chartreuse, silver, and blue work well. Larger topwater baits fished slowly often attract big pike.
Spoons - medium to large spoons, such as Len Thompson, Luhr-Jensen, Eppinger, Williams Wobbler, etc. A selection of colors and patterns, such as "Five of Diamonds", "Red and White", silvers, golds, "Black and White", will serve you well.

Soft Baits

Slug-O's, Pork-O's, Berkeley Power Minnows - 6" (and larger) soft baits such as these, fished behind a single hook, allowed to drift and dart through sunken vegetation can be deadly!

Terminal Tackle

Wire leaders - an assortment of top-quality leaders, rated from 30-60 lb., in longer lengths (12-24"). Be certain snaps and swivels are constructed for heavy usage.

Northern Pike Fly-Fishing Tackle

9-10 weight rod, 8-12' in length. You will need enough "backbone" to be able to cast large streamers, often in windy conditions.
Good quality, higher- capacity reel, with plenty of backing to handle long runs.
Floating line for surface and sub-surface angling.
Weight-forward, sinking tip line, for deeper presentations.
30-60 lb. monofilament for shock tippets.
An assortment of colorful streamers, "poppers", and "flashy" flies with large profiles. As there are really no "classic" patterns for fly-fishing Northern Pike, almost any bright, undulating type presentation has the potential to trigger a strike from a trophy northern. Saltwater-type streamers, on single or tandem hooks, dressed in marabou, Flashaboo, bucktail, mylars, etc. are effective. Cork, rubber-legged "poppers", as well as classic minnow profiles work well.

Lake Trout Rods & Reels

Baitcasting

6'6" or 7' medium/heavy casting rod, rated for 10-20 lb. test line, and heavier lure weights. Longer handles are beneficial in doing battle with large Lake Trout.
High-performance, well-maintained casting reel, loaded with NEW 10-20 lb. test quality line - When it comes to taming a monster Lake Trout, greater line capacity, an efficient, heavy duty drag system, and higher gear ratios are most definitely an asset.

Spinning

6'6" or 7' medium/heavy spinning rod, rated for 10-20 lb. test line and heavier lure weights.
High-performance, larger-capacity, spinning reel, loaded with NEW 10-20 lb. test quality line - Line capacity and a smooth, responsive, heavy duty drag system are essential.

NOTE: Although we see many large Lake Trout taken on spinning gear, our recommendation is to fish lakers with baitcasting equipment, which tends to be a little more "rugged", and generally features more reliable drag systems.

Lake Trout Tackle

Large, flashy spoons such as a variety of Len Thompson patterns, and Williams Wobblers.
Large jigs, (1-4 oz.), tipped with plastics, such as 6" Berkley Power Minnows, or sucker belly, are very effective for vertical fishing in deeper water.
Rip jigs, such as Buzz Bombs in a range of colors.

Walleye Rods & Reels

5' - 6'6" light to medium action spinning rod, rated for 4-8 lb. test, and 1/16-3/8 oz. lure weights, in a higher modulus graphite, for increased sensitivity.
Light spinning reel, loaded with 4-8 lb. test line - Buying a light spinning reel able to accept interchangeable spools will allow you to spool up with varying test ranges of line. This will give you the ability to easily change lines to match conditions.

Walleye Tackle

Walleye jigs, 1/16-3/8 oz. - Tip these with an assortment of 2-4" soft plastic grubs, Berkley Power Baits, etc.
Small, light crankbaits, such as Fat Raps, Rattlin' Raps, Shad Raps, etc.

Arctic Grayling Rods & Reels

5' - 6'6" ultralight to light spinning rod, rated for 2-6 lb. test, and light lure weights. A high modulus, fast-tipped quality graphite rod will heighten your Arctic Grayling angling experience.
Light spinning reel, loaded with 2-6 lb. test quality line.

Arctic Grayling Tackle

Very light spinners, (#00, #0), by Mepps, Panther Martin, or Blue Fox, dressed bare, or with a tiny amount of bucktail or marabou.

Arctic Grayling Fly-Fishing Tackle

4-6 weight fly rod, 6 to 8' in length.
Floating line for surface presentations.
Light sinking tip line for small sub-surface presentations.
Light, long tippets - It is wise to pack an assortment.
Flies - standard, high-floating dry fly patterns, suggestive wet fly patterns, such as Wooly Buggers and Marabou Minnows. All should be in smaller sizes.

Additional Items

A sturdy, high quality rod case will protect your investment during the trip.
Extra spools of fishing line, in test ranges rated for your rods and reels.
Lubricating oil for reel maintenance.
A selection of small tools for emergency reel repair, etc.
It never hurts to pack one or two spare rods and reels.