The retrieve should be quick so the crankbaits continually bump off stumps and rocks
When you take that foundation and apply it to good, modern reels you'll find a lot of control, great distance and accuracy
About 2 hours or so into the tourney, dusk was setting in and we were fishing in an area I knew would hold some fish moving up from deeper water to feed in the shallows
With a reinforced frame, a powerful drag system, and often a larger-capacity spool, these reels are designed to tackle big baits and big fish, making them a favorite among musky, pike, and big swimbait anglers
If you mainly target pike in winter, our detailed winter pike fishing guide explains behavior, strike windows, and locationsbut none of that matters if your casts collapse