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I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
Chain pickerel is a very popular game fish in the US. Easy to identify with distinctive chain patterns along their body, and colors much lighter than the ones on a pike.
The world record of 1961 for chain pickerel fishing was made in Homerville, Georgia, and the pickerel weighed 9 pounds and 6 ounces! We are not sure what kind of baits was used to make the world record, maybe the historic Johnson Silver Minnow Spoons, or live baits. Anyhow, we’ll present you the best lures for pickerel fishing.
Let’s check what lures do pickerel like mostly. Also don’t forget to read our guide: How to Catch Chain Pickerel?
Top 3 Best Lures for Pickerel
Best Pickerel Lure Overall
Heddon Tiny Torpedo
- Simple to use, and very productive
- Topwater wander fishing lures
- Great shape and weight
Most Popular Pickerel Lure
Booyah Pond Magic
- Incredible hook up ratio
- Cuts through aquatic vegetation
- Adaptable
Best Soft Plastic Pickerel Lure
Rapala Jigging Rap
- Can be used with various pickerel fishing techniques
- Durability
- Very good tail action
6 Best Chain Pickerel Fishing Lures
#1
Best Pickerel Lures Overall
Heddon Torpedo Prop-Bait
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Heddon Torpedo Prop-Bait lure will catch pickerel tightly with its amazingly sharp hooks. The movement and rattles are very alluring for topwater fishing techniques. In addition, if used alongside one of the best topwater rods, it is a killer combination for topwater chain pickerel fishing.
- Size: 1 7/8 inches
- Weight: 0.015 pounds
- Color Availability: Multicolor options and designs, like Baby Bass, Baby Torpedo, Black Shiner, Bullfrog, Clear, Fluorescent Green Crawdad.
- Fishing Technique: Spinning/Long-Casting
- Target Species: Bass, Crappie
Pros
- Simple to use, and very productive
- Topwater wander fishing lures
- Great shape and weight
Cons
- Not suitable for deep water
- A bit pricey for its size
- May be small for some angler's fishing styles
OVERVIEW: With the Heddon Tiny Torpedo, we got a splashing action and a super long cast. We used these fishing lures to create awesome surface strikes, and reaching chain pickerel didn’t pose an issue.
It has a killer slow and steady retrieval. During summer and fall, chain pickerel fishing for predators in the topwater becomes an easy task with this lure. Attracts chain pickerel, northern pike, and other fish with its vibrations. It’s one of the best lures for chain pickerel.
FEATURES: The Tiny Torpedo floats nicely on its own and gives easy retrieval. You can choose baits color according to the water clarity and light penetration, it offers a great spectrum of designs. It fishes well over aquatic vegetation similar to the Johnson Silver Minnow spoon. Also, it is equipped with 2 super-sharp hooks.
#2
Spinnerbait
Booyah Pond Magic Spinnerbait
WHY WE LIKE IT: The blades run well on point and shimmer like no other in shallow water. The skirt on these Booyah Pond Magic Spinnerbait lures is very durable and has a decent length. A smaller size, but it can take hard bites, so it works well with both smaller and larger pickerel.
- CSize: item dimensions (LxWxH) – 5 x 2.75 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 0.008 – 0.012 pounds
- Color Availability: Matching head and blade-color patterns, like June Bug, Alpine, Citrus Shad, Craw, Fire Ant, Firefly, Grasshopper
- Fishing Technique: Spinning
- Target Species: Panfish, Bass
Pros
- Incredible hook up ratio
- Cuts through aquatic vegetation
- Adaptable
- Versatile
Cons
- The wire is a bit light and may bend easily
- The paint also may come off after a while, and the eyes
- Smaller sizes for some anglers may be a con
OVERVIEW: Color combos for creating completely different in-line spinner baits look to match your pickerel fishing needs. The natural color options will do wonders in clear shallow water conditions, and with the fire bug and white color we managed to get a catch in stained water.
FEATURES: These in-line spinners lures are equipped with a very sharp hook, and once you bait and hook the chain pickerel, it stays there for good. Has a good weight and cuts through thick vegetation. Also, it Includes a Mustart Ultra Point 2/0 hook size and ultra-fine 60-strand silicone skirt.
#3
Ice Fishing
Rapala Jigging Rap
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Rapala Jigging Rap are well-balanced and constructed with a weighted minnow profile. The swimming action gives ice fishermen goosebumps, as it provides great suspense for game fish like chain pickerel and winter pickerel.
- Size: 2-3/4″
- Weight: 0.01 Pounds
- Color Availability: Natural, UV, and glow colors
- Fishing Technique: Quick snap and vertical jigging techniques, Casting
- Target Species: Multi-Species Gamefish
Pros
- Kills it with winter pickerel and ice fishing
- Good price-to-quality ratio
- Can be used with various pickerel fishing techniques
- Work great as chain pickerel fishing lures
Cons
- May swim too fast for some anglers
- Can get hung up at the bottom
- Hard to handle for some
OVERVIEW: This bait can also be bottom bounced, and the winter pickerel couldn’t resist this bait! You can feel its movement easily, even when it is deep down at the bottom. They work amazingly when vertically jigged in cold season. So, we recommend using these lures during your next ice fishing trip.
FEATURES: It comes with a great design, paint job, and amazing finish. Very realistic like the Rapala Live Shiner, and has great circular movement and vibration. Chain pickerel and winter pickerel, as well as other species, seem to love it. Also, it comes with two single reversed hooks, a center treble hook, and an eyelet.
#4
Spoon
Eppinger Dardevle
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Eppinger Dardevle spoon is an icon in the chain pickerel fishing world, and the company has been on the market since 1906. The spoon offers that special striking movement that we and all anglers love. With its wobbling action, it’s an extremely versatile lure and adaptable to different chain pickerel fishing settings.
- Size: 3 5/8 inches x 1 1/4 inches (length)
- Weight: 0.0625 pounds
- Color Availability: Red + white original design; however, there is a wide range of color marking, like Black-White Stripe, Shad, Crackle Frog, Chartreuse-Fluorescent Orange Diamonds, Chartreuse-Red Dots, Half Nickel-Half Blue, Mackerel, Pumpkinseed Sunfish
- Fishing Technique: Casting/Trolling
- Target Species: Pickerel (Walleye), Bass, Muskee, and Pike
Pros
- Great for game fish and chain pickerel fishing
- Very versatile in regard to both species and fishing conditions
- Sparkling action
- Durable
Cons
- Little pricey
- The paint might start to melt off after a while of using it
- It may not be appropriate for certain fishing techniques requiring extreme depth
OVERVIEW: With chain pickerel fishing as our target, this lure gave us great action and confirmed its versatility. Works all year round! Great in long-casting mode and rarely misses a bite from a game pickerel.
You can customize the Dardevle with the color markings available, different back finishes, and sizes. The lure comes with a double hook, but you can also make a request for a treble hook! We think that is pretty cool. Every fisherman should have a red/white Dardevle on hand when going chain pickerel fishing.
FEATURES: Eppinger Dardevle Spoons are made in the US, and you can get them in 4 sizes and 3 back finish options, from nickel to brass, and copper. It can be far-cast with no need for a split shot. Very aerodynamic and durable, with an indisputable quality of a “go-to” spoon for over a hundred years.
#5
Spinnerbait
Mepp’s Dressed Aglia Bait
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Mepp’s Aglia will spin your world around. It’s an angler must, with high quality and craftsmanship on another level – this spinner is made to last! Dressed spinners with a wider profile are amazing for chain pickerel fishing and other larger fish, while the plain ones are ideal for smaller chain pickerel.
- Size: item dimensions (LxWxH) – 1 x 1 x 1 inches
- Weight: 0.01 – 0.03 pounds
- Color Availability: Two multicolor options, Silver-black, Trout-Brown
- Fishing Technique: Spinning
- Target Species: Bass Panfish
Pros
- A variety of options (plain, dressed, or single hook)
- Well-balanced and efficient
- Made from high-quality materials
- Master craftsmanship
Cons
- Not the best for very deep water
- The dressing of the tail may tatter after several uses
- Not suitable for anglers disliking fishing lures that rotate
OVERVIEW: We learned that this spinner attracts and catches aggressive predators such as chain pickerel. With a fast retrieve, you can avoid snags, and the line will not twist! As an extra, it’s very durable and well-balanced.
This lure has set bass as a main target. However, chain pickerel love it too! Actually, in our experience, it works well with all species. If you are a spinner-lover kind of angler, check out the selection we have made for the best spinnerbait for bass.
FEATURES: This spinnerbait has 2 sizes, 1/2 ounce and 1/8 ounce options, and two color options too, the Silver-Black or Trout-Brown paint scheme. We really like that you have the freedom to personalize and adapt your spinner to your fishing style and preferences.
#6
Jerkbait
Rapala Husky Jerk
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you practice fly fishing, then you’ve surely used Rapala. This Husky Jerk comes with Rapala quality and amplified sound waves traveling throughout the water. A fine jerkbait for freshwater anglers and chain pickerel fishing. If you are interested in other similar options, go through our list of the best jerkbaits for bass.
- Size: size 8, 4-Inch
- Weight: 0.000625 pounds
- Color Availability: Various metallic, natural, or glass patterns, like Glass Minnow, Glass Pink Clown, Glass Purple Sunfire, Green, Helsinki Shad, Redfire Crawdad
- Fishing Technique: Long-Casting/Spinning/Trolling
- Target Species: Yellow Perch
Pros
- Great rattles, not overpowering
- Quality product
- Good wobble and suspend
- Amazing to use as freshwater fishing lures
Cons
- Would be better with three treble hooks
- Some anglers may not like the rattles
- Not specifically pickerel-targeted lures
OVERVIEW: You should choose this hard lure because of its good wobble swim. It gave great suspends in deep water. Good when cast, trolled, cranked, or jerked slowly with the rod tip.
As we noticed, with the rattle chamber and their perfect balance, these fishing lures can definitely attract and catch fish, from yellow perch to chain pickerel or a northern pike with some sharp teeth.
FEATURES: The Rapala Husky Jerk swims very well, and it is able to withhold its depth when put on stop pretty darn well. It contains a rattle chamber with loud noises, and it comes equipped with premium VMC black nickel hooks. An extra angle-for professional angler is that it looks fantastic in the water. for other amazing Rapala lures, check our list for the best Rapala for bass.