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

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