Just getting the gear together our annual northern Saskatchewan fishing trip. Mainly after northerns and some lake trout. We get into some walleye when we portage over to a different lake.

Looking for advice on a nice casting reel that is easy to use. Hoping to get one for my young son to start fishing with, so it needs to be as bomb-proof as possible. Good clutch etc.

Also, we have always used braided line. What are you guys suggesting? Leaning towards 30# braided. I have switched back and forth. Used 20# last year and had more break offs than I have in the past, so probably leaning back towards 30# line.

Never fished pike but I muskie fish year round here in KY.

check out the Calcutta 200b, daiwa lexa 300, I use the 400b but I think the 200 would be perfect for pike. As far as line goes. I use 65 and 80# cortland master braid. Smooth and quiet.

My pike gear is a bit unconventional ( read that to mean light) but I use a 5.5 foot ultralight rod and a Shimano 750 spin reel loaded with #10 fire line.
I don't remember any sized pike ever breaking off, though Ive had oodles of them gulp everything up and over the leader and as soon as their teeth hit the line its Adios!

I find I catch as many, as quickly on the ultralight as I did the heavy tackle, and my arms and hands aren't worn out flinging a 7 foot rod all day. YMMV

Lining my tackle out for our annual trip to Alberta for pike( we don't leave till August...)
Good luck up there! Ive had a ball fishing in Sask.
I would recommend single barbless hooks on everything though...it makes unhooking so much easier and if you are catching volume, that's a big consideration....as is fishing a 3/0 hook out of your own hide in the case of an accident, which seems to happen in a pike boat.

I would listen to ky221 recommendation on casting tackle...I know nothing about it and he works his butt off for his muskies.


Here is a #18 from Sask. back in the day before miracle line...I got him on a 4.5 ft. spin rod with #6 mono.......it took awhile

I use mostly spinning gear, but I also have a Revo S that works well. I am a big fan of the Suffix 832 braid in 8lb mono equivalent diameter (20 lb braid?) and the 30 lb stuff is on the Revo.

Best thing I added to my arsenal in the last couple years was titanium leaders. Expensive, but they actually last more than a few fish. I bought the "knot so kinky" brand at first but had an issue with the clasp end loop opening up. Switched over to the no name brand ones and have had no problems.

Last bunch of big pike I got were on a white Storm Wildeye soft bait with a red treble hanging off the belly. Started out with the Lunkerhunt paddle tails and single hook out the back but missed a bunch of hookups. Johnson Silver Minnows are good if they are layin up in the reeds.

Good luck!

SS

We use a lot of big spinners ( Mepps #4 and #5 and Panther Martin size 15) with trebles replaced by single barbless. ( We fish in Alberta, its provincial law up there, and it makes it a BUNCH easier to release fish)
Also use any number of largish spoons, also with single barbless hooks. I like to put a 6" plastic worm on the back, but Im not really sure if the fish care its there or not.