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Predator tackle · Pike traces · Our take
Drennan Pike Trace
E-Sox Bait Trace
A ready-made 18in pike trace with strong trebles, sensible bait-size options and enough thought in the finish to keep rigging simple.
- 46cm (18in) trace made from nylon-coated Super Trace wire.
- 34lb (15kg) breaking strain for general pike work.
- Designed for both livebait and deadbait presentations.
- Available with size 4, 6 or 8 trebles, in barbed or semi-barbed versions.
Make sure it’s the right one. The product is commonly listed as the Drennan E-Sox Bait Trace, although it may also be referred to as the Drennan Pike Trace. This review covers the E-Sox Bait Trace version described in the supplied details.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A solid, sensibly designed ready-made pike trace that earns its keep through convenience and useful hook-spacing options.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.6/10
- Ease of Use9.7/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Anglers fishing standard deadbaits for pike. The 18in length and choice of treble spacing cover many everyday float and legered bait presentations.
- Beginners and busy session anglers. It’s ready to go, easy to connect and removes the faff of building a reliable pike trace from scratch.
Maybe skip if
- Specialist anglers tying very specific rigs. A ready-made trace gives you less freedom over exact wire length, hook pattern and hook positioning.
- Anglers using very tiny or unusually large baits. The three options cover a useful range, but the supplied size guide is aimed at baits roughly 10–20cm long.
The lowdown
Introducing the Drennan Pike Trace
A ready-made 18in pike trace with strong trebles, sensible bait-size options and enough thought in the finish to keep rigging simple.
- 46cm (18in) trace made from nylon-coated Super Trace wire.
- 34lb (15kg) breaking strain for general pike work.
- Designed for both livebait and deadbait presentations.
- Available with size 4, 6 or 8 trebles, in barbed or semi-barbed versions.
Quick verdict
Verdict
This is a proper, no-nonsense pike trace for anglers who want to get a deadbait or livebait in the water without faffing around making their own. The 46cm length, 34lb nylon-coated wire and extra-strong trebles give it the right sort of package for general pike fishing.
The key is choosing the treble size to match your bait. Get that bit right and the trace offers a neat, tidy presentation for float or legered deadbaits, as well as livebait rigs where permitted. A cracking grab-and-go option, especially if you’d rather spend your time finding pike than tying traces.
A solid, sensibly designed ready-made pike trace that earns its keep through convenience and useful hook-spacing options.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.6/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.7/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
Nylon-coated Super Trace wire, extra-strong trebles and tidy crimp finishes make this a well-presented bit of terminal tackle.
The 46cm length and 34lb rating suit a broad range of everyday livebait and deadbait setups.
Correctly matched treble spacing should help the bait sit naturally, though presentation still depends on choosing the right size and rigging it neatly.
It’s ready-made, easy to connect and available in three straightforward sizes, which cuts out loads of bank-side faff.
It offers useful convenience and reliable-looking components, particularly for anglers who don’t want to tie or crimp their own traces.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Drennan
Drennan Pike Trace (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Drennan Pike Trace
The Drennan E-Sox Bait Trace is the sort of pike rig you keep tucked in the predator box for when you want to get fishing, not spend half the morning crimping wire at the bivvy. It’s a ready-made trace for livebait and deadbait work, with the main ingredients already sorted: coated wire, trebles and a swivel. Nice and simple, mate.
You get a 46cm, or 18in, trace made from nylon-coated Super Trace wire. That’s a useful all-round length for plenty of float and legered pike rigs. It gives the bait a bit of room to move and keeps the business end away from the mainline, while still staying manageable when you’re casting a deadbait towards a reedbed or dropping one into the margins.
The wire is rated to 34lb, which is 15kg. That’s a sensible general-purpose strength for pike fishing, giving you a decent margin when a lively fish rolls in the net or a bait catches in weed. As ever, the trace is only one part of the setup. Your mainline, knots, swivels and drag all need to be up to the job too.
At the hook end, Drennan has fitted extra-strong treble hooks. The connections are finished with blood-red crimp sleeves, while a camo-brown sleeve sits at the swivel. It’s a small detail, but it makes the whole rig look tidy and helps keep the finished connections neat rather than leaving a load of bright metal and loose wire on show.
The clever bit for everyday use is the choice of treble size. Size 4 has an 11cm gap between the trebles and is aimed at baits around 16–20cm long. That’s the option for a decent-sized dead roach, smelt or similar bait where you need the hook positions spread along the offering.
Size 6 brings the gap down to 9cm and suits baits around 13–17cm. For many anglers, that’ll be the proper workhorse size. It fits the sort of medium deadbaits commonly used on canals, drains, reservoirs and stillwaters without making the rig look over-gunned.
Then there’s size 8, with a 7cm gap for baits around 10–13cm. That’s handy when the pike are feeding on smaller prey or you’re using a modest deadbait in a shallow, clear swim. Don’t just choose the biggest hooks because they look beefy, though. Match the hooks to the bait so the rig sits naturally and doesn’t make casting a complete faff.
You can also choose between barbed and semi-barbed versions. That’s useful because waters and anglers differ on what they want at the business end. Check the fishery rules before buying, then make sure your unhooking kit is spot on: long forceps, cutters, an unhooking mat and enough room to deal with a lively pike properly.
In use, this is a grab-and-go trace rather than a specialist bit of wizardry. Tie or connect it to a suitable pike setup, secure the bait neatly and fish it where the pike are likely to be — along weed edges, beside cover, over a drop-off or in the margins. Keep an eye on the wire and crimps, especially after a fish or a snag, and swap the trace if anything looks damaged. It’s simple tackle, but simple is often exactly what you want when the rods are off and a screaming take is on the cards.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Trace length
- 46cm (18in)
- Wire
- Nylon-coated Super Trace wire
- Breaking strain
- 34lb (15kg)
- Hook options
- Extra-strong treble hooks in sizes 4, 6 and 8
- Bait-size guide
- Size 4: approximately 16–20cm; size 6: 13–17cm; size 8: 10–13cm
- Versions
- Barbed or semi-barbed
Specs checked with Drennan, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The angle
The E-Sox Bait Trace is all about straightforward pike fishing. It’s not trying to be a clever specialist rig. You get a ready-made 18in trace, two trebles and a swivel, with the connections finished neatly in coloured crimp sleeves.
That makes it a handy choice for a new predator angler, a spare trace wallet or anyone who wants consistent rigs for different bait sizes. The three hook-size options cover a useful spread, from smaller offerings around 10cm through to baits around 20cm.
Closer look
A straightforward trace with useful bait matching
The E-Sox Bait Trace is built around a 46cm nylon-coated Super Trace wire trace, rated at 34lb. That gives you a familiar 18in format for general pike fishing, with enough length for many deadbait and livebait presentations without becoming awkward to handle. The swivel at the top makes connection simple, while the finished crimp sleeves keep the rig looking tidy.
The treble spacing is what makes the three versions useful. Size 4 has an 11cm gap for baits around 16–20cm. Size 6 has a 9cm gap for roughly 13–17cm baits. Size 8 has a 7cm gap for approximately 10–13cm baits. Match that spacing to the bait rather than picking purely by hook size. A neat fit normally gives you a better presentation and less unwanted faff.
Worth knowing. The trace is available in barbed and semi-barbed versions. That choice matters at the fishery, so check local rules before you order. Whichever style you use, don’t fish for pike without proper unhooking gear and a plan for dealing with the fish safely.
Who it suits
Ideal for everyday pike sessions
This is a good fit for anglers who fish deadbaits on floats, leger rigs or simple bottom setups. The 18in length works across a lot of normal situations, from casting towards cover to lowering a bait into the margins. It’s also handy as a spare: keep a few different sizes in the box and you can change bait dimensions without rebuilding the whole rig.
For newcomers, the biggest appeal is consistency. You don’t need to learn crimping straight away or wonder whether the treble spacing is sensible. Pick the right size, connect the trace and concentrate on the swim. More experienced anglers may still appreciate that convenience when the weather is grim, the light is fading and you’re keen to get a bait back in the water.
Worth knowing. The E-Sox Bait Trace isn’t intended to replace every specialist trace. If you tie your own rigs for unusual bait sizes, very short presentations or particular hook patterns, a made-up trace gives you more control. For normal 10–20cm baits, though, the three size options cover a useful spread.
FAQs in full
The bits anglers usually want to know
For deadbaiting, choose the trace by bait length and position the trebles so they hold the bait securely without making it look bunched up. A bait that spins badly on the cast can be a right pain, so take a moment to check the presentation close in before sending it across the swim.
For livebait, keep the setup tidy and make sure the bait is legal for the water you’re fishing. Rules can vary, and some venues restrict livebaiting completely. The coated wire and treble arrangement are designed for the job, but safe unhooking still comes down to preparation and good bankcraft.
Worth knowing. Inspect the wire coating, crimp sleeves, swivel and hook points after each fish, snag or rough cast. Pike tackle takes a hammering. If the coating is split or a connection looks suspect, don’t chance it — replace the trace and get back on the munch safely.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Ready-made and quick to attach when bite-time arrives.
- Nylon-coated wire is tidy, flexible and less harsh-looking than bare wire.
- Three treble sizes match a useful range of pike baits.
- Extra-strong trebles and a 34lb breaking strain suit general pike fishing.
- Barbed and semi-barbed choices give you more control over presentation and unhooking preferences.
Worth knowing
- You need to choose the hook size carefully, as one trace won’t suit every bait.
- An 18in trace is a general-purpose length rather than a specialist answer for every rig or water.
- Ready-made traces can work out dearer than tying your own if you use lots of them.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Which E-Sox Bait Trace size should I choose?
Which E-Sox Bait Trace size should I choose?
Match the treble spacing to your bait length. Size 4 has an 11cm gap and suits baits around 16–20cm. Size 6 has a 9cm gap for roughly 13–17cm baits. Size 8 has a 7cm gap for around 10–13cm baits.
02Is the Drennan E-Sox Bait Trace suitable for deadbaiting?
Is the Drennan E-Sox Bait Trace suitable for deadbaiting?
Yes. It’s designed for deadbait and livebait presentations. For a deadbait, place the trebles so they hold the bait securely without bunching everything into one spot, then check the rig is sitting naturally before casting.
03Should I choose barbed or semi-barbed?
Should I choose barbed or semi-barbed?
That depends on your water rules and preferred unhooking setup. Both versions are available, so check local regulations first. Whichever you use, carry proper forceps and an unhooking mat, and keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are ready-made and quick to attach when bite-time arrives. and nylon-coated wire is tidy, flexible and less harsh-looking than bare wire.; the main trade-off is you need to choose the hook size carefully, as one trace won’t suit every bait..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Ready-made and quick to attach when bite-time arrives.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Anglers fishing standard deadbaits for pike: The 18in length and choice of treble spacing cover many everyday float and legered bait presentations.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “You need to choose the hook size carefully, as one trace won’t suit every bait.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Drennan Pike Trace
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