Pike are one of the most exciting species to target in lakes due to their aggressive strikes and large size. Whether you’re fishing in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, or slow-moving rivers, swimbait fishing lures are a popular and effective choice for targeting these toothy predators. Custom swimbait lures, in particular, offer tailored designs that can make a big difference in attracting pike and ensuring success. However, with so many different styles and designs available, selecting the right custom swimbait fishing lure can be a daunting task.
This article provides a comprehensive comparison of custom swimbait fishing lures for pike in lakes. We’ll explore the benefits of using these lures, compare different types of swimbaits, and provide tips for selecting the best lures for your pike fishing adventures.
1. What Are Custom Swimbait Fishing Lures?
A swimbait is an artificial fishing lure designed to imitate the natural swimming motion of small baitfish, which is a primary food source for many predatory fish, including pike. Custom swimbait fishing lures are tailored to meet the specific needs of the angler, often created by skilled artisans or high-end manufacturers who focus on design, material quality, and lifelike action.
The key features of swimbaits include:
- Lifelike movement: Swimbaits are engineered to mimic the realistic swimming action of prey, whether it’s the subtle tail wiggle of a minnow or the erratic motion of a struggling fish.
- Material flexibility: Custom swimbaits are made from a range of materials, including soft plastics, silicone, and hard bodies, allowing for different action types in the water.
- Size and color variety: Swimbaits come in various sizes and colors, allowing you to select the best match for the local baitfish species and water conditions.
When targeting pike, custom swimbait lures are designed to trigger their predatory instincts, ensuring that the presentation is as realistic and enticing as possible.
2. Why Are Custom Swimbaits Effective for Pike Fishing in Lakes?
Pike are predatory fish that primarily feed on smaller fish, making them ideal candidates for swimbait lures. Here are the key reasons why custom swimbaits are particularly effective for pike fishing in lakes:
a. Realistic Action
Pike are often wary of unnatural movements, so custom swimbaits, with their lifelike swimming action, provide a much more effective presentation compared to less realistic lures. The ability to choose a swimbait that matches the size, color, and movement of local baitfish makes a big difference in attracting pike.
b. Versatility
Custom swimbait lures are highly versatile. Whether you’re fishing in shallow, weedy areas or deeper sections of the lake, swimbaits can be used effectively in a wide range of conditions. They can also be fished at different depths, from topwater to near the bottom, making them an excellent all-around tool for pike fishing.
c. Effective for Larger Pike
Pike are known for their aggressive strikes, and larger custom swimbaits can attract bigger fish. Pike often target larger prey, especially in colder months when they need to store energy, and using a larger swimbait increases the chances of triggering strikes from trophy-sized fish.
d. Customization for Local Conditions
Custom swimbaits allow anglers to adjust various factors like size, color, and tail action to match the local baitfish species. By choosing a custom lure that mimics local prey, you increase your chances of attracting pike that are actively feeding in your area.
3. Types of Custom Swimbait Lures for Pike in Lakes
There are several types of custom swimbait lures available, each designed for different fishing styles, water conditions, and pike behavior. Here, we compare some of the most popular types of swimbaits for pike fishing in lakes.
a. Soft Plastic Swimbaits
Soft plastic swimbaits are flexible and have a natural, lifelike action that mimics baitfish. They are often used in shallow to medium-depth waters where pike are actively hunting for prey. These swimbaits have a paddle tail or boot tail that provides subtle vibrations and movements in the water, making them an effective choice for pike fishing.
- Best For: Shallow to medium depths and fishing over submerged vegetation.
- Advantages: Realistic action, flexible design, and great for covering large areas of water.
- Drawbacks: They can tear or get damaged after multiple strikes, requiring replacement.
b. Hard Body Swimbaits
Hard body swimbaits are often more durable than soft plastics and offer a more consistent swimming action. These lures are typically made from high-quality plastic or wood and are built with a sturdy frame, making them a great choice for targeting larger pike. Hard body swimbaits can have multi-jointed sections, which allows for more dynamic movement in the water, imitating the action of injured or fleeing fish.
- Best For: Deeper sections of lakes or areas with more current.
- Advantages: Durability, lifelike action, and great for large pike.
- Drawbacks: Can be harder to cast and require more control during the retrieve.
c. Jointed Swimbaits
Jointed swimbaits are another great option for targeting pike. These lures consist of multiple segments that are connected by joints, creating a fluid, natural movement as the lure swims through the water. Jointed swimbaits are often used to mimic larger, more vulnerable prey, and their erratic action can provoke pike to strike aggressively.
- Best For: Large, aggressive pike in deep water.
- Advantages: Lifelike movement, mimics larger prey.
- Drawbacks: May not be as effective in shallow or weedy areas due to the larger profile.
d. Topwater Swimbaits
Topwater swimbaits float on the surface of the water and create ripples and splashes that attract pike. These lures are perfect for fishing in the early morning or late evening when pike are feeding near the surface. Topwater swimbaits are great for adding an extra level of excitement to your fishing experience as you can see pike strike at the lure.
- Best For: Shallow areas, early morning or late evening fishing.
- Advantages: Highly visible to fish, exciting strikes.
- Drawbacks: Less effective in deep water or during midday when fish tend to be deeper.
4. Best Custom Swimbait Lures for Pike in Lakes: A Comparison
To make it easier to choose the best custom swimbait fishing lures for pike in lakes, we’ve compared some top-rated options in terms of performance, durability, and effectiveness.
a. LureBolt Custom Soft Plastic Swimbait
At LureBolt, we offer affordable yet high-quality custom soft plastic swimbaits for pike fishing in lakes. Our lures are designed to provide realistic movement and come in a variety of sizes and colors to match the local baitfish. Whether you’re fishing in shallow or deep waters, these soft plastic swimbaits are an excellent option.
- Best For: Shallow to medium-depth fishing.
- Key Features: Flexible body, natural tail action, wide color variety.
- Price: Affordable, providing excellent value for money.
b. Savage Gear 3D Line Thru Pike Swimbait
The Savage Gear 3D Line Thru Pike Swimbait is designed to mimic the natural movement of larger prey. The 3D design ensures that the swimbait looks incredibly lifelike in the water, while the line-thru body reduces the risk of losing fish after striking.
- Best For: Targeting large pike in deeper waters.
- Key Features: 3D design, natural tail action, durable.
- Price: Mid-range, offering great quality at a reasonable cost.
c. Megabass Magdraft Swimbait
The Megabass Magdraft Swimbait is a premium option that offers an incredibly realistic swimming action. It’s known for its detailed craftsmanship and lifelike motion, making it ideal for catching larger pike in lakes.
- Best For: Larger pike and deeper sections of lakes.
- Key Features: Multi-jointed design, high-quality materials, lifelike movement.
- Price: Higher-end, designed for serious anglers.
d. Jackall Smash D-Click Swimbait
The Jackall Smash D-Click Swimbait is a hard-bodied, jointed swimbait that mimics the erratic action of a fleeing fish. This swimbait is especially effective for large pike and offers excellent durability and performance in both clear and murky waters.
- Best For: Large pike in deep lakes and rivers.
- Key Features: Durable design, realistic action, great for big fish.
- Price: Mid-range, offering good quality for the price.
5. How to Use Custom Swimbait Lures for Pike in Lakes
Once you’ve selected the right custom swimbait for pike, it’s essential to know how to use it effectively. Here are some tips for fishing with swimbaits in lakes:
a. Cast and Retrieve
The most basic technique is casting the swimbait and retrieving it at a steady pace. Adjust the speed of your retrieve depending on water conditions and the activity level of the pike. For a more dynamic presentation, incorporate pauses, twitches, or erratic movements to make the swimbait appear like struggling prey.
b. Focus on Structure
Pike often hide around structures such as submerged rocks, logs, and drop-offs. Cast your swimbait near these areas and retrieve it slowly to imitate prey that’s swimming or hiding near the bottom.
c. Fish During Prime Times
Early morning and late evening are often the best times to fish for pike with swimbaits. This is when pike are actively feeding near the surface, making them more likely to strike at topwater lures.
6. Conclusion
Custom swimbait fishing lures are highly effective for targeting pike in lakes, and with the right setup, technique, and lure, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Whether you prefer soft plastic swimbaits, hard-body designs, or topwater options, there’s a wide range of affordable and high-quality lures to choose from.
For top-rated custom swimbait fishing lures and other fishing gear, visit LureBolt.com today and start gearing up for your next pike fishing adventure!
Happy fishing!