Deadbaits are exactly as they sound; dead fish offered to try and catch predators like pike, zander, perch, eels and catchfish. The good thing for the angler is that as these predators get bigger and older, they become less agile and less inclined to chase live fish.
Instead they turn to scavenging for dead fish on the bottom, and consequently deadbaits actually offer the angler an excellent choice of bagging a specimen.
Here are detailed the most common and best pike dead baits with some tips on how to use them.
Of all the many fish available, herrings look most like roach, the most natural of all deadbaits. Herrings also exude a very oily, potent smell and attract fish from some distance. They are very effective pike bait, and are available in their natural form from the most fishmongers and supermarkets. They are also often dyed either red, orange or yellow, and may be obtained in these colors from most good tackle shops.
When peeled, shrimps and prawns make excellent baits for many species including carp, catfish, barbel and chub.
Lamprey is also a very effective deadbait. It can be fished either whole or in sections, and is taken by all predatory species, including chub. Lampreys latch onto other fish using the strong suckers around their mouths and then feed by rasping away at their prey’s skin tissue and blood.
Because of this they are full of hemoglobin, which emits a very attractive scent when lampreys are used as deadbait. They are available in a growing number of tackle shops.
Mackarel is one of the most popular pike baits, and the best one to try first on a new venue. Mackarel are readily available from most good tackle shops, fishmongers, supermarkets and some better food stores.
It is a very oily bait which emits a strong aroma. It has tough skin and is, therefore, good for casting because it stays on the hook. Mackarel is a particularly deadly bait on clear water venues like gravel pits and it has led to the downfall of many 30lb (13.6kg) pike.
Roach are the most natural deadbait of all. They will catch all predators, and small roach up to about four inches (10cm) long are easily the best bait for zander and perch. Half a roach, either head or tail end, is the ideal bait for eels.
The blood seeps into the water and eels will smell the bait from great distances. For pike fishing, roach are successful when presented whole as a deadbait in sized up to 1lb (0.45kg), or in clear water fished sink-and-draw style, hooked with the top treble through the head and the bottom treble through the flank.
Not the ones you get in tins (which you cannot hook because they are too soft), but the ones you whole from the fishmonger. Sardines emit a rich oily trail which works wonders on many good pike waters.
They have very soft skins, which allow for good hook penetration and crisp, clean strikes, but which makes them useless for venues where you have to cast a long way.
Smelt are one of the very best all-around-sea-fish deadbaits available and, amazingly, this little fish has a very distinctive cucumber smell. It is a bait which seems to get you runs on hard-fished waters where all else fails.
These are the smallest and cheapest of all frozen deadbaits. Pike absolutely love them, and they have also been known to fool perch, chub, barbel and even carp. Natural sprats are available frozen in packs of eight and they can also be bought dyed red, orange and yellow.
Squid is becoming quite popular with predator-fish anglers, especially with catfish hunters. It has a very tough skin which provides a strong hook-fold and is perfect for long-distance casts.
Small trout are a very popular pike bait, especially on trout reservoirs. They are quite cheap and readily available. You can buy them either frozen at your local tackle shop, or fresh from your nearest trout farm. The best size to use is between 8-10in (20-25cm) in length.
Rigging dead baits for pike means balancing presentation with bite security. Start with a stout, corrosion-resistant treble or single hook, inserted through the jaw or lips to keep the bait on presentation. Thread the hook so the shank travels along the backbone, keeping the point exposed for quick penetration. Use a lead clip or inline weight to keep the bait upright; a slight forward weight keeps the bait nose-down, mimicking a natural carcass. For larger baits, a wire trace prevents cut-offs, yet leave a few inches of memory-free wire to allow for a straighter hookset. Crimp a swivel to the hook point to absorb pike head shakes, and inspect rigs before each cast—damaged hooks or frayed trace compromise reliability. Consistent attention to rigging yields confident hooksets on big pike.
Pike feeding behavior shifts with seasons, so tailor dead bait selection accordingly. Early spring, after ice-out, pike crave high-energy, oily baits—herring and butterfish mimic the returning schooling forage, so fish them slowly in shallow flats. As water warms late spring to summer, focus on suspending baits near weed-edges where pike ambush; smaller dead perch or baits fished under float rigs match their leaner diet. Fall brings aggressive feeding before winter; leaner baits like smelt or capped herring, presented on sinking rigs, take advantage of bold, territorial pike. Winter pike conserve energy, so offer slow-sinking, scent-rich baits near structure. Track local hatch cycles and forage availability to align bait size, scent, and speed with each feeding surge for best results.
Water temperature heavily dictates pike scavenging intensity, so tailor your dead bait presentation to the thermocline. Pike become more sluggish below 40°F; switch to slow, dragging retrieves and drop rigs near the bottom while letting the bait sit longer between twitches. From 40–55°F, pike regain aggression—use short, sharp lifts or gentle twitches to mimic weakened prey, and focus on deeper weed edges where cooler water pools. Above 55°F, oxygen levels drop, so target cooler seams near current breaks and keep baits higher in the water column with floats or planer boards. Always monitor surface temps with a thermometer or electronics; a few degrees change can alter strike windows. Matching bait speed to the ambient temperature keeps presentations natural, triggering more scavenging strikes.
Prepping dead baits properly preserves scent trails and realistic texture that entice pike. After gutting, rinse baits in cold freshwater, then pat dry before applying a light dusting of salt to firm flesh without drawing out too much moisture. Store in breathable containers layered with ice packs—not direct contact—to keep temps near freezing. Replace ice daily and keep storage shaded; spoilage quickly ruins odor and texture. For longer trips, vacuum seal and freeze baits, thawing them slowly in a cooler to avoid mushiness. Before rigging, dip the bait in a scented attractant or marinate in pike-safe oils to refresh scent. Handle baits minimally so they don’t degrade or lose natural contours. Proper prep and storage mitigate off-putting ammonia smells that will turn off wary predators.
Tournament dead baiting demands polished routines focused on speed, efficiency, and consistency. Prioritize large, high-contrast baits like herring or lampreys on quick-change rigs; keep multiple pre-rigged leaders ready to swap without wasting time. Use electronics to locate key structure—drops, reed edges, or submerged points—then drop baits precisely with markers or anchorless drifting systems. Vary presentation daily: start with a slow drift, and if bites lag, add slight twitches or raise the bait higher off the bottom. Keep a close eye on water clarity; in stained water add scent-soaked baits and brighter rigs to stay visible. Tournament anglers pack spare hooks, weights, and scent; quick repairs between casts keep you fishing while competitors tinker. Focus on consistent hooksets and landing fish quickly to avoid penalties for missed opportunities.
Selecting herring or lampreys depends on pike behavior, visibility, and location. Herring excel in open-water situations or when pike chase schooling forage—use medium to large herring for their reflective scales and strong scent trail, especially in stained water or current. Lampreys shine in structure-heavy, shallow cover where their slender profile mimics native prey moving in tight spaces; their leathery skin holds scent longer, ideal for slow, suspended presentations. If pike are sluggish, lampreys’ subtle pulse and slow descent outperform faster-sinking herring. In early spring or fall when pike target fat, oily meals, herring wins; during warm-season flats or pressured fisheries, switch to lampreys for stealthier intimidation. Match bait choice to prevailing conditions, and keep both on hand to pivot when pike preferences shift mid-trip.
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