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Beginner’s Guide to Pike Fishing in the UK (Winter Pike Setup Made Easy)
If you’re looking to start pike fishing in the UK, winter is the perfect time to do it. The water’s cold, the baitfish are grouped up and the pike are in their best condition of the year, fat, hungry and ready to strike.
I see loads of anglers each year, carp, coarse, even fly anglers, who fancy trying a bit of lure fishing for pike once their summer sport slows down. But before you hit the bank, you need the right pike fishing setup.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential beginner pike fishing kit list, covering rods, reels, lures, traces and tools. Miss just one of these, and your session could go downhill fast. Get them right, though, and you’ll be in with a real chance of landing the fish of a lifetime.
The Best Pike Fishing Setup for Beginners
A lot of new anglers get scared off by baitcaster reels, but the truth is you don’t need one to catch pike. They’re brilliant once you’re experienced, but there’s a learning curve, you’ll get backlashes and bird’s nests while you figure them out.
For a beginner pike fishing setup, stick to a spinning rod and reel combo. It’s simple, reliable and forgiving.
Recommended setup:
- Rod: 8ft spinning rod rated 30–80g (or up to 100g max)
- Reel: Size 3000–4000 spinning reel
- Line: 35–40lb braid — strong but manageable
If you’re in the market for a good starter rod, the Westin Powercast range is a brilliant option. It’s tough, affordable and ideal for chucking lures between 40–70g – perfect for most UK waters.
This setup will comfortably handle pike from 2lb to 20lb+, whether you’re fishing canals, rivers or stillwaters.
Why You Must Use a Wire Trace for Pike
This is non-negotiable. Pike have razor-sharp teeth that will slice through braid or mono in an instant. Without a trace, you’ll lose your lure, the fish and possibly leave hooks in its mouth. Not something any responsible angler wants.
Use a strong wire trace between your mainline and lure, around 12–18 inches long.
Look for quality brands using American Fishing Wire (AFW) or similar components. Avoid the cheap eBay “green wire” traces, they’re too short, poorly made, and often fail at the clip.
You can make your own traces later once you’ve learned the ropes, but to start with, just buy ready-made, reputable traces. It’s worth it.
Easy, Proven Lures for Pike Fishing
For your first few trips, you don’t need a mountain of lures. Stick with simple, ready-to-fish options that you can clip on and cast straight out.
Here are my top beginner pike lures that have caught me thousands of fish over the years:
| Lure | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Westin Ricky the Roach (14cm) | Soft shad | Realistic action, easy to fish — just cast and wind. |
| Westin ShadTeez R2F (Ready2Fish) | Soft shad | Built-in weight and hook — no rigging needed. |
| Westin BullTeez | Paddle or curly tail | Great in cold water, loads of movement even on slow retrieves. |
| Westin Swim | Hard bait | Casts like a bullet and perfect for 6–10ft depths. |
| Westin RawBite | Hard bait | Brilliant trolling or casting lure with built-in rattle. |
Mix up paddle tails, curly tails, and one or two hard baits. Natural colours like roach or perch are perfect for clear water; go for bright firetiger patterns in murky conditions.
With these, you’ll catch on rivers, lakes, or canals across the UK guaranteed.
Landing Nets & Unhooking Mats (Don’t Skip These!)
A good landing net and unhooking mat aren’t just nice extras, they’re vital for both you and the fish.
Choose:
- A large rubberised net (strong frame, soft mesh)
- A proper unhooking mat – especially if fishing on hard banks
Even on grassy areas, a mat helps protect the pike while unhooking. Remember: UK pike fishing is strictly catch and release, so look after them properly.
Essential Pike Fishing Tools
You can have the best lure and rod setup in the world, but without the right tools, things can go badly wrong.
Here are the three essentials every pike angler must carry:
- Long-nose pliers – For safely removing trebles from a pike’s mouth.
- Heavy-duty hook cutters – If a hook is deep or near the gills, cut it out. You can replace hooks — not fish.
- Multi-tool or braid cutters – For trimming line, cutting traces, or swapping split rings.
These tools save fish, save fingers, and save sessions. Keep them in your bag at all times.
Pike Fishing Bag Essentials
You don’t need fancy luggage, an old rucksack or sports bag works fine. Just pack:
- A small lure box
- A few spare wire traces
- Your tools
- An unhooking mat
Stay mobile. Pike fishing is about covering water, exploring, and keeping things simple.
Top Tips for New Pike Anglers
- Go with someone experienced for your first few trips. Pike are strong and can be intimidating to handle at first.
- Watch videos on safe pike handling and unhooking before you start.
- Respect the fish — keep them wet, handle them gently, and release them quickly.
- Avoid cheap gear that can fail at the worst moment — it’s not worth the risk.
Final Thoughts
If your beginner pike fishing setup includes an 8ft spinning rod, 35 to 40lb braid, a proper wire trace, a selection of quality lures, a rubber-net, unhooking mat and tools to unhook pike safely, then you are more than ready to hit the bank this winter. Get out there, stay safe, look after the fish, and with a bit of luck you will be holding your first UK winter pike before you know it.
