Pike season closing : 5 softbaits to succeed

5 Best Soft Lures for Big Pike Winter Fishing

January arrives, the cold sets in, and the pike fishing season closure is fast approaching! Every year, dedicated anglers brave the elements to land one last trophy fish. During this period, fish are generally less active due to the cold; however, they are also building fat reserves for winter and the upcoming breeding season.

To succeed in big pike winter fishing, you must adapt: offer larger prey capable of swimming at low speeds to trigger these lethargic predators. Let’s dive into the 5 best soft lures to make your pike season closing a success:

1) Shad GT 18 or 22cm

The Shad GT is the brand’s emblematic lure. For years, it has been a “hood saver” for difficult sessions. Its large caudal tail emits powerful vibrations identifiable from a great distance.
Pro Tip: Its thin body allows for heavy jig head rigging, perfect for deep fishing in dam lakes where large pelagic pike roam.

Big pike on Shad GT — A massive dam lake pike that couldn’t resist the Shad GT 18cm.

2) Néo Shallow 18cm

Stockier than the Shad GT, the Neo Shallow moves a massive volume of water. Its huge paddle guarantees strong vibrations even at ultra-low speeds.
Key Feature: The body shape allows for a “planing” descent. Rig it with very little lead to make it evolve slowly between water layers—a lethal winter animation.

Neo Shallow Rigging — Right: Neo Shallow 18cm (shallow rig) | Left: Neo Shallow Texan 16cm.

3) Néo Swim 16cm

The Neo Swim is a plug-and-play masterpiece. Sold assembled with an internal lead and ventral treble hook, it is designed for the most effective winter animation: the simple linear retrieve.
The secret: During pauses, it goes down flat while “rolling its sides,” mimicking a dying prey.

Pike caught on Neo Swim — Big winter pike landed on the Neo Swim Sahara.

4) Skeleton 18cm

The Skeleton 18cm is an atypical powerhouse. Its ringed body and bulging eyes aren’t just for show—they create unique sonic signatures.
At over 70g, it’s a true Big Bait that attracts predators visually through its strong rolling action and physically through its massive water displacement.

Skeleton Pike — Classic jig head rigging proves effective for this chunky 18cm lure.

5) Néo Frog 18cm

Standing out from the shads, the Neo Frog 18cm offers a different vibration profile. Its double grub tail stays in motion constantly, emitting fine vibrations that can trigger wary pike in pressured spots.
Strategy: When everyone else is throwing shads, standing out with a twin-tail “grub” action can be the key to a late-season monster.