best pike lures for start of spring in murky water

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Murky start-of-spring pike? No problem — lean into loud, high-contrast lures with lots of bounce and sound. Here are the top picks and how to run them.**

- **Bucktail spinnerbaits** (1/2–1 oz). Best colors: bright chartreuse/white, chartreuse/orange, or glow. Use a single blade or double blade to maximize vibration in *stained water*. Retrieve with a steady reel and occasional quick jerks, then pause to let the fish close the distance near weed edges and sunlit pockets.
- **Inline spinners & spinnerbaits**: choose big, loud blades; fluorocarbon leader to withstand pike teeth. Cast toward structure, fish along weed edges, and rip the bait with a short, aggressive retrieve.
- **Jigs with rattles (bucktail or soft trailer)**: 1/4–1 oz. Chartreuse or white with a rattling trailer. Work along weed edges and drop-offs with a hopping/yo-yo retrieve.
- **Spoons**: larger flutter spoons in bright chrome or luminous green. Cast, then snap, yo-yo, or steady retrieve near cover to provoke thumps.
- **Swimbaits with rattles**: 4–6 inch soft swimbaits on a 1/2–1 oz jig head. Colors: neon trout, white/chartreuse. Swim with a steady pace and occasional bursts to trigger bites.
- **Rattling shallow crankbaits**: 2–4 ft diving rattlers for muddy water. Loud colors like chartreuse, perch, or fire tiger work well near weedlines.

- **Tactical tips**:
  - Gear up with 50–65 lb braided line and a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader; heavy rods (7’0”–7’6” MH) to drive through cover and turn a bite into a fight. 
  - In murky water, rely on vibration, noise, and contrast. Cast toward the edge, then work parallel to structure.
  - Target shallows first: as ice-out progresses, pike push into sunlit bays and weed edges; look for waterways with some current and source water.
  - Watch water temps: early spring water can be cold (often in the 35–50°F range); bites may be tentative, so deliver with confidence.

- **Learning resources**:
  - [Best Lure Color for Muddy Waters? (Spring PIKE FISHING)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIiB_4N3-MA)
  - [Early Spring PIKE FISHING with Lures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYM7EIivOPI)
  - [2023's Best Pike Lures Revealed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwjVLHNM_5o)

- **Gear picks you can grab now**:
  - [Savage Gear 3D Hard Pike Fishing Bait](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X7JWZRD?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Mizugiwa 8\" Pike Musky Dawg Soft Bait Lure](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A5IB5SW?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Pike Musky Walleye Spinnerbait with Feathered Hooks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR2D6KDS?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Creek Chub Jointed Pikie Lure](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AUWTD?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [36pcs Fishing Lures Kit for Bass Pike Panfish Walleye Trout](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQCYQHYQ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

- *Pro tip*: Start shallow near sunlit banks after a warming trend; pike move into the shallows first, then tighten the bite as the water clears a little. Stay persistent — the next strike could be a massive early-season toad, and you’ll be hooked for good! 🐟🎣

best pike lures for start of spring in murky water

Related Videos

Product Recommendations

Mizugiwa 8"/20cm 45g Pike Musky Dawg Fishing Soft Bait Lure,Zabder Freshwater Tackle Bull Coarse Pack of 4

36pcs Fishing Lures Kit for Bass Pike Panfish Walleye Trout Including Multi Jointed Swimbaits Soft Duck Spider Frogs Soft Fish and with Floating Rotating Propeller Tail Tractor Topwater Lures

Fishing Lures, Full-Size Multi Jointed Swimbait, Slow Sinking Segmented Bass Fishing Lure, Fishing Lure Freshwater or Saltwater, Perch Pike Walleye Striped Bass Lures, Fishing Bait Kit

Pfeibk Multi Jointed Swimbait Saltwater Fishing Lures with Sharp Treble Hooks, Top Water Bass Fishing Lures Walleye Trout Pike, Lifelike Slow Sinking Salt Water Blue Gill Swim Bait Freshwater

Savage Gear 3D Hard Pike Fishing Bait, 4 2/5 oz, Striped Pike, Realistic Contours, Colors & Movement, Durable Construction, Heavy-Duty Treble Hooks, Thru-Wired Design

FONMANG SWIMPRO Swimbaits Northern Pike Fishing Lures,6.5in Glide Bait for Bass Fishing,3PCS Multi Jointed Swim baits, Musky Lures with 3D Holographic Bionic Finish, 2026 New

Pike Musky Walleye Fishing Lure Spinnerbait with Feathered Hooks Rooster Tail Fishing Lures Spoon Lures Baits with Tackle Box (Style B-Red)

15pcs Fishing Lures Kit for Bass Pike Panfish Walleye Trout Including Multi Jointed Swimbaits Soft Duck Spider Frogs Soft Fish and with Floating Rotating Propeller Tail Tractor Topwater Lures

Creek Chub Jointed Pikie Fishing Lure for Large Bass, Striper, Musky and Pike, Fishing Lures for Freshwater, 6", 1 3/4 oz, Pikie, (I3000PPI)

Pike Musky Walleye Fishing Lure Spinnerbait with Feathered Hooks Rooster Tail Fishing Lures Spoon Lures Baits with Tackle Box (Style A-Purple)

Community

Pike & Musky Questions

Wo kann man am besten Hecht,Barsch unf Zander angeln bei freien Gewässern rund um Elmshorn.Und nenne mir bitte die Hotspots also wo die Hotspots sind für diese Fische aber wirklich sagen wo.

for bass and pike whats the best lure to throw on lake dubbonet interlochen michigan april 5th

best pike bait

What is the best fishing spot around Copenhagen at 17.00 today?

More Questions

How do you fish lakes in Cary, NC?

Where can I fish near Gurgaon?

Where are the best fishing spots near Pesaro, Italy?

How should I fish the Intracoastal from Fort Pierce down to Stuart?

Are there crawfish in Lake Washington?

What are the best spots and tips for bass fishing in the United Kingdom?

How can I catch a big fish?

is today a good day for fishing in Perth

How do you fish lakes in Cary, NC?

Where can I fish near Gurgaon?

Where are the best fishing spots near Pesaro, Italy?

How should I fish the Intracoastal from Fort Pierce down to Stuart?

Are there crawfish in Lake Washington?

What are the best spots and tips for bass fishing in the United Kingdom?

How can I catch a big fish?

is today a good day for fishing in Perth

Wo kann man am besten Hecht,Barsch unf Zander angeln bei freien Gewässern rund um Elmshorn.Und nenne mir bitte die Hotspots also wo die Hotspots sind für diese Fische aber wirklich sagen wo.

for bass and pike whats the best lure to throw on lake dubbonet interlochen michigan april 5th

best pike bait

What is the best fishing spot around Copenhagen at 17.00 today?