Savage Gear 3D Hybrid Pike: two tails for two fishing speeds

A big pike holding late in autumn, worn out after a full summer of hunting, doesn't react the same way to a fast, bulky lure as it does to a slow, deliberate swim. The classic problem: you'd need two different lures in the box to cover both cases, and swapping mid-session wastes time on a spot that doesn't forgive waiting around. Savage Gear's 3D Hybrid Pike solves that directly with an interchangeable tail system that changes the lure's behaviour without changing the body.

The concept: one head, two behaviours

The 3D Hybrid Pike's hard body stays fixed, but its tail swaps out in seconds, no tools needed. Two options ship with the lure:

• The paddle tail, fitted with a rattle chamber that produces a distinct click and vibration on every kick. It delivers an energetic rolling swim, suited to a medium-to-fast retrieve on an active fish.
• The curl tail, thinner and softer, producing a slow, continuous undulation even on a near-static retrieve. It's built for a sluggish or wary fish, particularly late season or in cold water.

The system avoids having to carry two different lures to cover both situations: one body, two swims, depending on which tail you clip on in seconds at the water's edge.

Two sizes for two ambitions

• 17 cm (6.7 in), 45 g: the most versatile format, suited to most pike spots on rivers and mid-size lakes, castable with standard big-bait gear (1-2 oz).
• 25 cm (10 in), 130 g: reserved for waters known for big pike, and increasingly used by lure anglers targeting catfish who want a big profile to work slowly through open water. This size needs gear rated for very large lures.

Depth and searching

The 3D Hybrid Pike is slow sinking and works between the surface and 1.8 m (6 ft), a range wide enough to cover most mid-water spots without switching to a jighead. Let the lure sink for a few seconds after the cast before starting the retrieve: the first strike often comes during that drop, with the tail already undulating.

Retrieve by tail fitted

1. With the paddle tail: a steady medium-to-fast retrieve, punctuated by a few sharp pulls to accentuate the click and the noise. Effective on an active fish that responds to bulk and vibration.
2. With the curl tail: a very slow retrieve, almost drifting, letting current or wind finish the job. This is the option to favour on a fish that's holding and unwilling to chase down fast prey.
3. Alternate between the two within the same session if the spot isn't responding: swapping tails takes less time than swapping lures, letting you test two approaches without losing the spot.

Field rule: on a big fish holding late in the season, always start with the curl tail. The lure's bulk is enough to draw interest — the slow undulation does the rest.

Not sure what to tie on?

Photograph your spot: CarnaFish reads the scene, cross-checks the conditions and gives you the zone, the lure and the retrieve. Free on iOS and Android.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play

Try it free

Rigging and the point to watch

The reinforced stock front treble is sized for the load of a body this size, particularly on the 25 cm model. The detail worth checking regularly is the tail's clip: after a few casts into cover, make sure it's still fully seated before the next cast, or you risk losing it to the bottom.

Colour by water clarity

• Clear water: a natural perch or roach tone, consistent with the 3D body's realistic profile.
• Stained water: a higher-contrast pattern, to stay visible without losing credibility.
• Low light: a dark silhouette, which stands out better against residual light than fine detail does here.

A big-profile lure with a place of its own

Compared with a classic soft plastic shad like the Squad Shad 65, the 3D Hybrid Pike offers bulk and noise that few soft plastics match, making it a good choice for covering a lot of water in search of a big fish, pike or catfish alike. It doesn't replace a subtler lure for a very wary fish in clear water — that's where the finesse of a jerkbait or a small shad takes back the advantage.

To place this kind of big lure in a broader strategy, our guide to lure fishing for catfish covers when bulk and noise outweigh subtlety. And to avoid picking the wrong size on unfamiliar water, CarnaFish reads a photo of your spot and points you toward the best size and swim before the first cast.

What to remember

• Two interchangeable tails, one body: paddle for an active fish, curl for a sluggish one.
• Two sizes (17 cm/45 g and 25 cm/130 g) depending on ambition and available gear.
• Slow sinking, 0-1.8 m depth: let it sink before retrieving, the first strike often comes on the drop.
• Check the tail's clip after every snag on cover.

FAQ

Which tail should you try first on the 3D Hybrid Pike?

The curl tail if the fish is sluggish or it's late season, for a slow undulation that doesn't demand a chase. The paddle tail if the fish is active and responds well to noise and bulk.

Does the 3D Hybrid Pike work for catfish?

Yes, particularly the 25 cm/130 g size, increasingly used by lure anglers targeting catfish who want a big profile to work slowly through open water.

How deep does the 3D Hybrid Pike run?

Between the surface and 1.8 m (6 ft) depending on how long you let it sink after the cast. It's a slow-sinking lure — let it drop a few seconds before starting the retrieve.

How do you swap the tail on the 3D Hybrid Pike?

The system is designed to clip and unclip tool-free in seconds. Just check the tail is still fully seated after a snag on cover before casting again.

Which size should you choose, 17 cm or 25 cm?

The 17 cm/45 g suits most pike spots with standard big-bait gear. The 25 cm/130 g is reserved for waters holding big specimens and requires gear rated for very large lures.

Do you need a wire leader for this lure?

Yes for pike, without exception. For catfish, a strong sleeved or soft-wire leader is also recommended given the power of the target fish.