Fishing for pike in lakes is a popular and rewarding pursuit for anglers, offering the chance to catch one of the most thrilling and aggressive freshwater species. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, one of the best ways to target pike is by using topwater fishing lures. While high-quality lures are often recommended, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that can perform just as well.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the best cheap topwater fishing lures for pike in lakes, explain why they work, and provide tips on how to use them effectively. With the right technique and affordable lures, you can increase your chances of landing that trophy pike without breaking the bank.
Why Topwater Fishing Lures Are Effective for Pike in Lakes
Topwater fishing lures are designed to float on the surface of the water, mimicking prey such as small fish, frogs, or insects. The key advantage of using topwater lures for pike is their ability to create exciting surface strikes. These strikes are not only visually thrilling but also provide instant feedback, making them perfect for anglers looking for an interactive fishing experience. Here’s why topwater lures are effective for pike in lakes:
1. Aggressive Strike Response
Pike are known for their aggressive hunting behavior, and topwater lures are ideal for triggering these strikes. When a pike attacks a topwater lure, it often explodes out of the water with force, providing an exciting visual and tactile experience for the angler.
2. Mimics Natural Prey
Pike feed on a wide variety of prey, including smaller fish, frogs, and insects. Topwater lures, particularly poppers, walking baits, and frog imitations, can mimic these types of prey effectively. By using these lures, you can make your offering appear like a wounded or struggling animal, which naturally attracts pike.
3. Effective for Shallow Water
Pike often patrol shallow waters in lakes, especially in the spring and summer when they are feeding aggressively. Topwater lures are particularly effective in these conditions because they stay on the surface, making them the perfect choice for targeting pike in shallow lake environments.
4. Exciting Fishing Experience
Topwater fishing is highly engaging because of the immediate visual feedback it provides. The thrill of seeing a pike strike at your lure is unmatched and adds a whole new level of excitement to the fishing experience. This makes topwater fishing particularly enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned anglers.
Types of Cheap Topwater Fishing Lures for Pike in Lakes
When it comes to fishing for pike, there are several types of topwater lures that can be highly effective. While there are plenty of premium options on the market, there are also many affordable choices that deliver great results. Let’s explore the top-rated cheap topwater fishing lures that work well for pike in lakes.
1. Poppers
Popper lures are one of the most effective topwater lures for pike, thanks to their ability to create a loud popping noise as they are retrieved. This noise mimics the distress signal of a wounded fish or struggling insect, making them highly attractive to pike. Poppers work especially well in calm to slightly choppy waters.
Best For:
- Shallow lake fishing where pike are actively feeding near the surface.
- Clear water where pike can easily see the surface disturbance.
Advantages:
- Great for attracting pike with their loud popping noise.
- Easy to use with basic retrieve techniques.
- Affordable, with many options available at a low price.
Custom Option:
- Lurebolt Custom Poppers: These poppers are designed for long-lasting durability and an effective popping action that works perfectly for pike in lakes.
2. Walking Baits (Walk-the-Dog Lures)
Walking baits are another fantastic option for topwater fishing, particularly for pike. These lures move side to side in a “walk-the-dog” motion, mimicking the movement of a struggling fish. This side-to-side action can be highly enticing for pike, especially when they are actively hunting.
Best For:
- Lakes with calm or slightly choppy waters.
- Targeting pike that are actively hunting near the surface.
Advantages:
- Realistic, lifelike action that attracts aggressive pike.
- Great for fishing large areas and covering water quickly.
- Can be fished at various speeds to match pike activity levels.
Custom Option:
- Lurebolt Walking Lures: Custom-designed with smooth side-to-side action and bright colors to increase visibility and attract pike in lakes.
3. Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are a topwater lure that creates a buzzing sound as they move across the water’s surface. The sound and vibration attract pike from a distance, especially in areas with dense vegetation or murky water. Buzzbaits are perfect for fishing in weed-filled lakes, where pike tend to hide.
Best For:
- Murky or weedy lakes where sound and vibration can help attract pike.
- Fishing in the evening or early morning when pike are more active.
Advantages:
- Excellent for fishing in thick cover or murky water.
- Easy to use with a steady retrieve.
- Vibrating action helps attract pike from a distance.
Custom Option:
- Lurebolt Buzzbaits: Known for their high-quality blade design and strong vibrations, perfect for use in weedy or murky lake environments.
4. Frog Lures
Frog lures are designed to mimic the movements of a frog or amphibian on the water’s surface. These lures are perfect for fishing in weedy lakes, where pike often hide near lily pads and submerged vegetation. The explosive strikes from pike as they attack a frog lure are thrilling and exciting to experience.
Best For:
- Weedy lakes or areas with lily pads and vegetation.
- Fishing for pike in shallow waters.
Advantages:
- Great for fishing around dense cover like weeds and lily pads.
- The realistic, natural movement of frog lures attracts pike.
- Exciting surface strikes from pike as they attack the lure.
Custom Option:
- Lurebolt Custom Frog Lures: Durable and designed to easily navigate through thick vegetation, these frog lures are perfect for targeting pike in weedy lakes.
5. Prop Baits
Prop baits are topwater lures with rotating propellers at either the front or back of the lure. These propellers create a churning, splashing action that mimics the struggle of a prey animal on the surface. Prop baits are ideal for pike fishing in calm water or low-light conditions, such as early mornings or evenings.
Best For:
- Calm lakes or low-light conditions like early mornings or dusk.
- Targeting pike in shallow waters.
Advantages:
- Unique churning action that mimics struggling prey.
- Ideal for calm water or low-visibility conditions.
- Easy to use with a simple retrieve.
Custom Option:
- Lurebolt Prop Baits: These baits feature high-quality rotating propellers and durable construction, perfect for pike fishing in calm lake conditions.
Techniques for Using Cheap Topwater Lures for Pike in Lakes
To maximize your chances of success when using topwater lures for pike in lakes, it’s important to understand the right techniques for casting, retrieving, and detecting strikes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you fish with topwater lures effectively:
1. Selecting the Right Lure
Choose a topwater lure based on the lake conditions and pike behavior:
- Popper or walking baits for clear water and calm conditions.
- Buzzbaits or frog lures for weedy, murky, or shallow areas.
- Prop baits for low-light conditions or when pike are active near the surface.
2. Casting the Lure
Cast your lure to areas where pike are likely to be feeding, such as near structures like submerged rocks, vegetation, or drop-offs. For beginners, aim for 10-20 feet from the shore and adjust based on the depth and conditions.
3. Retrieving the Lure
- Poppers: Retrieve with sharp, quick jerks to create the popping sound. Pause between jerks to simulate struggling prey.
- Walking Baits: Use a steady, rhythmic retrieve to create the “walk-the-dog” motion. Keep the rod tip low to maintain the side-to-side movement.
- Buzzbaits: Keep a consistent, slow-to-moderate retrieve to maintain the buzzing sound and wake.
- Frog Lures: Use short jerks to make the frog dart across the surface. Pause to let the frog rest, then continue jerking.
- Prop Baits: Use a steady retrieve to create the churning effect.
4. Setting the Hook
When you see or feel a strike, wait for a brief moment to ensure the pike has fully taken the lure. Then, quickly set the hook by pulling back on the rod.
Conclusion
Cheap topwater fishing lures can be highly effective for catching pike in lakes, offering both great performance and affordability. By selecting the right lure, mastering the retrieval techniques, and fishing in the right conditions, you can significantly increase your chances of landing a pike without spending a fortune on premium lures.
At Lurebolt.com, we offer a wide range of high-quality, affordable topwater fishing lures that are perfect for pike fishing in lakes. Whether you’re using poppers, walking baits, buzzbaits, frog lures, or prop baits, our lures are crafted to provide exceptional results.
Visit Lurebolt.com today to explore our collection of custom topwater lures and other fishing gear to elevate your pike fishing experience!
By following these techniques and using the best affordable topwater lures, you can enjoy a successful pike fishing adventure in lakes. For the best lures and fishing gear, visit Lurebolt.com.