There was apparently a world wide poll held by Paramount a year or two ago. pickard won quite convincingly.
There was a Fox Cable TV1 poll in Australia this year, again pickard won almost 50% of the vote.
Like the 'scurulous' "Best Fighter debate", everyone is going to have their fave for their own reasons.
For me, Pickard's commanding presence, his voice, his way of handling and carrying himself is what attracts me to him. He is also (except for Sisco in a limited way) is the only Captain to be held in high esteem and honour by the Klingons. That's high praise and recommendation!
Alot of people probably like Kirks 'luck' with the ladies (which is just another example of the 'camp' nature of TOS), although I love it. But then Pickard does 'quite well', especially for a man in his 50's...............lol

As for Pike, although I loved Geoffrey Hunter (especially as Christ), he's a 'non-event' as far as Star Trek is concerned. Gee's......Captain Sulu has been in as many, if not more episodes and Movies, than Pike!
I really think it should just include 'Series Captains'. ;D

The fact that TNG was the best series in the recent poll (by far). It only stands to reason that Pickard would be favoured as the 'best Captain'.