Top Soft Plastic Lures for Pike Fishing in Hampshire

Pike fishing in Hampshire offers a thrilling challenge for anglers who want to catch one of the most aggressive freshwater predators. Using the right lure can make all the difference between a day of frustration and a successful fishing trip. Soft plastic lures have become a favorite choice for many pike anglers because of their lifelike action and versatility. This post explores the top soft plastic lures that work best for pike fishing in Hampshire’s waters, helping you improve your catch rate and enjoy your time on the water.

Pike are known for their sharp teeth and aggressive strikes, so choosing a lure that can withstand their attacks while mimicking natural prey is essential. Soft plastics offer a realistic feel and movement that can entice even the wariest pike. Let’s dive into the best options available and how to use them effectively in Hampshire’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

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Why Choose Soft Plastic Lures for Pike?

Soft plastic lures have several advantages that make them ideal for pike fishing:

• Realistic movement: Their flexible bodies create natural swimming actions that attract pike.

• Durability: Many soft plastics are designed to resist tearing from sharp pike teeth.

• Variety of shapes and sizes: You can match the lure to local baitfish or experiment with different profiles.

• Easy to rig: Soft plastics can be rigged on jig heads, weighted hooks, or weedless setups.

• Cost-effective: Compared to hard baits, soft plastics are often more affordable and easier to replace.

  
  
  
  

In Hampshire, where pike inhabit diverse environments from weedy lakes to flowing rivers, soft plastics allow anglers to adapt their presentation to different conditions. Whether you fish near submerged vegetation or open water, there is a soft plastic lure that fits the situation.

Top Soft Plastic Lures for Pike in Hampshire

1. Shad-Style Soft Plastics

Shad-shaped lures imitate small baitfish like roach or perch, common prey for pike in Hampshire. Their slender bodies and paddle tails create a natural swimming motion that triggers strikes.

• Recommended sizes: 4 to 6 inches

• Colors: Natural shades like silver, green, or brown with some flash

• Rigging: Jig heads or weighted hooks work well for casting and retrieving

  
  

Anglers report success using shad-style lures around weed edges and drop-offs where pike ambush prey. Slow to medium retrieves with occasional pauses often provoke aggressive strikes.

2. Soft Plastic Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits have a slender profile and are designed for twitching retrieves that mimic injured fish. This erratic movement can be irresistible to pike.

• Recommended sizes: 5 to 7 inches

• Colors: Bright colors like chartreuse or fire tiger can be effective in murky water

• Rigging: Weighted hooks or jig heads allow for controlled sinking and twitching

  
  

In Hampshire’s rivers, jerkbaits work well when cast upstream and retrieved with short jerks to imitate struggling prey. This technique can trigger reaction strikes from pike holding in current seams.

3. Creature Baits and Crawfish Imitations

Pike often feed on crayfish, especially in Hampshire’s gravel pits and lakes. Creature baits with multiple appendages create a lifelike profile that attracts pike.

• Recommended sizes: 3 to 5 inches

• Colors: Dark green, brown, or red shades that resemble local crayfish

• Rigging: Texas rig or jig head for weedless presentation

  
  

These lures are perfect for fishing heavy cover or rocky bottoms where pike hide. Slow dragging or hopping along the bottom can entice pike to strike.

4. Soft Swimbaits

Swimbaits combine the realistic look of shad with a soft, flexible body that moves naturally through the water. They are excellent for covering water and locating active pike.

• Recommended sizes: 4 to 6 inches

• Colors: Natural baitfish patterns or translucent finishes

• Rigging: Weighted hooks or jig heads for steady swimming action

  
  

Swimbaits work well in Hampshire’s clear lakes where pike can see the lure from a distance. A steady retrieve with occasional pauses mimics a fleeing baitfish.

5. Grubs and Twister Tails

Grubs and twister tails have curly tails that create vibration and movement, attracting pike in low visibility conditions.

• Recommended sizes: 3 to 4 inches

• Colors: Bright colors like white, chartreuse, or orange for stained water

• Rigging: Jig heads for vertical jigging or casting

  
  

These lures are effective in early spring or late autumn when pike are less active but still responsive to movement and vibration.

Tips for Using Soft Plastic Lures in Hampshire

• Match local forage: Observe the size and color of baitfish or crayfish in the water and choose lures that resemble them.

• Vary your retrieve: Try slow, steady retrieves, twitching, or hopping to find what triggers strikes on a given day.

• Fish near structure: Pike like to hide near weed beds, fallen trees, and drop-offs. Cast your soft plastics close to these areas.

• Use strong hooks and leaders: Pike have sharp teeth, so use wire leaders and strong hooks to avoid losing fish.

• Change colors and sizes: If one lure doesn’t work, switch to a different color or size to see if pike respond better.

  
  
  
  

Where to Fish Pike in Hampshire with Soft Plastics

Hampshire offers many excellent pike fishing spots where soft plastics shine:

• Testwood Lakes: Known for clear water and healthy pike populations, ideal for swimbaits and shad lures.

• Blashford Lakes: Weedy areas perfect for creature baits and weedless rigs.

• River Itchen: Flowing water where jerkbaits and twitching soft plastics can trigger strikes.

• Barton Stacey Lakes: Gravel pits with rocky bottoms where crawfish imitations work well.

  
  
  
  

Exploring different locations and adapting your lure choice to the environment will increase your chances of success.

Final Thoughts on Soft Plastic Lures for Pike in Hampshire

Soft plastic lures offer versatility, realism, and durability that make them a top choice for pike fishing in Hampshire. By selecting the right style, size, and color, and using effective retrieval techniques, you can improve your catch rate and enjoy more exciting fishing trips.

Experiment with shad-style lures, jerkbaits, creature baits, swimbaits, and grubs to find what works best in your favorite Hampshire waters. Remember to fish near structure, use strong tackle, and adjust your approach based on conditions.

With the right soft plastic lure in hand, you’ll be ready to face the challenge of Hampshire’s pike and bring home some impressive catches. Get out there, try these lures, and see the difference for yourself. Happy fishing!