My dad does not know how to use a baitcaster and we are going to Canada. What will happen if a 2500 sized reel is used, could it strip the gears or not have beefy enough drag to handle/fight the fish?  I’m just wondering if I really need to buy a reel for 3-4 day trip.

 

Obviously your odds of running into many trophy sized pike or muskie are not great, but when it happens I want to be prepared.  

I use a 2500 Tatula spinning reel for huge Oklahoma striped bass.  Three years in a row now.  Zero issues.   And a 2500 Procyon AL. 
 

it gets exciting. I love it.   And I own a 3000.  I don’t need the line capacity.  

I’m more than curious to know where you will be fishing that has 40 pound pike? 

Why would you get a massive 4k spinning reel in case a big musky bites once per 3 years? If you fish for bass and need a spinning reel, get a 2500 or a 3000. If you want to go for big pike and musky, grab a baitcaster. I use a Z2020 for musky, and it has been perfect for a long time.

Your reel will be fine if you encounter a 20 pound pike. I'm more concerned your rod will be too weak and you'll thoroughly exhaust the fish while landing it.

You'll be fine for just about any pike short of northern Canadian monsters which get close in size to musky.  If pike and musky are present in the same waters, most pike are going to be in the low 20" to low 30" range.  I've caught plenty on light tackle.  My personal best, a 40" caught on the Au Sable River in northern Michigan, was caught on a 2500 size spinner and 8lb mono.

 

I wouldn't worry so much about the reel, even a 1000 will handle them assuming your drag is set correctly.  You'll want to use a 20-30lb fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs.  When they thrash around is when the chances of breaking off increase.

11 hours ago, Scott F said:

I’m more than curious to know where you will be fishing that has 40 pound pike? 

Sorry, edited 😂

15 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I use a 2500 Tatula spinning reel for huge Oklahoma striped bass.  Three years in a row now.  Zero issues.   And a 2500 Procyon AL. 
 

it gets exciting. I love it.   And I own a 3000.  I don’t need the line capacity.  

Texoma?

11 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Why would you get a massive 4k spinning reel in case a big musky bites once per 3 years? If you fish for bass and need a spinning reel, get a 2500 or a 3000. If you want to go for big pike and musky, grab a baitcaster. I use a Z2020 for musky, and it has been perfect for a long time.

My dad cannot use a baitcaster

10 hours ago, Kev-mo said:

Your reel will be fine if you encounter a 20 pound pike. I'm more concerned your rod will be too weak and you'll thoroughly exhaust the fish while landing it.

What about a 7’3” MHF?

10 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You'll be fine for just about any pike short of northern Canadian monsters which get close in size to musky.  If pike and musky are present in the same waters, most pike are going to be in the low 20" to low 30" range.  I've caught plenty on light tackle.  My personal best, a 40" caught on the Au Sable River in northern Michigan, was caught on a 2500 size spinner and 8lb mono.

 

I wouldn't worry so much about the reel, even a 1000 will handle them assuming your drag is set correctly.  You'll want to use a 20-30lb fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs.  When they thrash around is when the chances of breaking off increase.

Is 30 lb fluro really heavy enough? I was thinking like 60+.

22 minutes ago, ohioguy25 said:

Is 30 lb fluro really heavy enough? I was thinking like 60+.

Oh yeah it's plenty for pike. 60+ is what is used for musky.

2 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

Sorry, edited 😂

Texoma?

My dad cannot use a baitcaster

What about a 7’3” MHF?

Is 30 lb fluro really heavy enough? I was thinking like 60+.

yup.  Texoma

It comes down to rod-reel-line-lure combination what size is used.

Casting big heavy lures requires tackle that can effectively perform the task.

Standard MHF bass rod and reel using lures to 1 oz can effectively fight and land big Pike and Musky if you can control and not try to over power the big fish.

My PB Musky is 37 lbs caught using a 2500C reel w/ 8 lb mono line, not ideal but possible.

Tom

My 3 biggest pike have all been caught on cheap medium powered spinning combos with most likely 8 lb test.

 

First combo was bought at KMart.

 

Second I bought from a pawn shop.

 

Third was Wal-Mart or Theisen's (small home/farm/auto store).

 

Crazy how times have changed. Now I think I need $500+ rods for every different type of lure/presentation.

 

 

15 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

If you want to go for big pike and musky, grab a baitcaster.

He said his dad can't use a baitcaster...

 

 

15 hours ago, Kev-mo said:

Your reel will be fine if you encounter a 20 pound pike. I'm more concerned your rod will be too weak and you'll thoroughly exhaust the fish while landing it.

Yep - that'll be the more likely problem, particularly now that the water has warmed up.  Big esox don't handle warm water well in a fight...the good news side of that is that they are also unlikely to eat if the water is too warm.

 

14 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

My personal best, a 40" caught on the Au Sable River in northern Michigan, was caught on a 2500 size spinner and 8lb mono.

That was a gift from the fish gods without a wire leader.

 

14 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You'll want to use a 20-30lb fluorocarbon leader to avoid break-offs.

20-30 lb. fluoro is no where near enough - I've seen 50# cut like it wasn't there...and by the time we get to fluoro that's strong enough, it's so stiff it hinders lure action.  Tieable wire is a much better choice.  

 

4 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

What about a 7’3” MHF?

Go to Heavy, or Extra Heavy.
 

4 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

Is 30 lb fluro really heavy enough? I was thinking like 60+.

30# is nowhere near heavy enough...and 60# probably isn't either.  Go to wire, not fluoro.  The best way is get tieable wire and tie it right into the braid main line with a Alberto or FG knot, then tie in a clip (swivel optional, depending on the lure) at the business end.

 

59 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

My 3 biggest pike have all been caught on cheap medium powered spinning combos with most likely 8 lb test.

Those were gifts from the fish gods. 

 

3 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Oh yeah it's plenty for pike. 60+ is what is used for musky.

Most dedicated musky anglers use 80# and up.  I've seen as heavy as 130#.  30# is asking for a bite off.

 

 

3 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Oh yeah it's plenty for pike. 60+ is what is used for musky.

I just re-read your thread and stated you were going after 40"+ pike, so yeah, you will want to go with a 50lb+ leader.  I use Seaguar Abrazx or better yet, get some steel leaders.  I totally missed the part about the size of the fish you were after, my mistake.

1 minute ago, Further North said:

Most dedicated musky anglers use 80# and up.

Here in Lake St Clair and the Detroit River, 60 is often used for trolling, while those casting for them will run 80-100lb.  I used to fish tournaments with a friend 20+ years ago, we would run Penn GTIs with 100lb Power Pro and a 60lb leader pulling boards with plugs.  He did pretty well, you won't get your name on the board unless the fish is 50"+.

1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Here in Lake St Clair and the Detroit River, 60 is often used for trolling, while those casting for them will run 80-100lb.  I used to fish tournaments with a friend 20+ years ago, we would run Penn GTIs with 100lb Power Pro and a 60lb leader pulling boards with plugs.  He did pretty well, you won't get your name on the board unless the fish is 50"+.

Maybe they work OK when trolling.

My experience with casting both conventional gear and fly fishing for big esox tells me wire is the better choice - tieable wire in particular.  It is both more resistant to cutting and more flexible than heavy fluoro.

1 hour ago, Further North said:

Maybe they work OK when trolling.

My experience with casting both conventional gear and fly fishing for big esox tells me wire is the better choice - tieable wire in particular.  It is both more resistant to cutting and more flexible than heavy fluoro.

The trollers can get away with lighter stuff because the fish are getting hooked in the lip the majority of the time.  They really don't have the chance to take a hook far back putting the leader closer to the teeth.  Most guys are trolling in the 4-5mph range.

 

If you haven't fished over my way, you should check it out.  A lot of musky are caught by guys jigging walleye in the river during March through May.  The popular river jigging setup here is a 2000 size spinner with 8lb Power Pro running straight braid with no leader.  One guy even hooked into and landed a sturgeon. The local bait shop, Dip Net Bait & Tackle, has the video up on their Facebook page.  The fight lasted a good half hour before the fish got to the boat.  I don't remember the exact length.  I can't find the full video but here's a clip from it. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JDoXp9Cg3/

So in summary- You will more than likely be fine, but you should be using braid with a tie able wire leader. The limiting factor will be the size of lure you can use. Also, make sure you have the equipment (net or cradle, jaw spreader, extended needle nose pliers) to subdue and release a big fish.

Canada is the last strong hold for consistent numbers of quality pike. Let us know if you find a gator while you’re there.

16 hours ago, VolFan said:

Also, make sure you have the equipment (net or cradle, jaw spreader, extended needle nose pliers) to subdue and release a big fish.

Great add on.

A big enough net is critical, and the rest of the tools are must-have and well.

I'd add a hook cutter.  I use Knipex mini-bolt cutters because they're the best, but anything similar will work.

I used to fish for smallies in northwestern Ontario for two-to-four weeks each year. I fished with six-pound mono and spinning reels. I'd land a couple 40" pike every year with those bass outfits when those pike hit my bass lures. Here's one:

 

 

My point is that you just need a good drag to land a nice pike. They typically only run once.

I caught this on spinning gear, using 30lb braid, a 20 lb fluoro leader, 1/4 oz jig and a president xl reel fishing for walleye. @Swamp Girl is correct about using the drag which i was adjusting many times during my fight with this river monster in the river current.

 

On 6/24/2025 at 8:50 PM, Kev-mo said:

Your reel will be fine if you encounter a 20 pound pike. I'm more concerned your rod will be too weak and you'll thoroughly exhaust the fish while landing it.

when i caught my muskie in the river along with the strong current, i had to play the fish till he wore out. He had the advantage as i was fishing for walleye with a 20lb fluoro leader and a 1/4 oz jig, bend the hook or bite the fluoro off or just snap the fluoro was my biggest concern.

When i got him in i had no net, my wife stepped into the water and helped push him onto shore. The hook was bent and the fluoro broke off when we were dragging it to shore. When i put it back into the water i had to hold its tail and move him back and forth to run water through his gills, finally he took off and in the shallow water he hung around us for a few minutes like he was saying thanks for releasing me or he was to tired to move.