Question from a new member from New York

Joc sent a question to me that I can’t answer. Thought you guys might help him out.

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> I watched you gentlemen catching loads of nice big pike on a smaller lake near L. Nipagon. I was curious if you ever use a non steel leader?
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> I fish a local lake in western NYS that is heavily fished but maintains a healthy population of big pike (34 to 40)” they are plump and my biggest approached 20 pounds. These pike are often very shy due the fishing pressure this lake sees. This being true I use a 18″ 80 pound braid leader. I’ve been cut off a handful of times, but only a handful of times over 10 years. Of course I have to watch the leader for wear from pike and snags. The braid also allows the X-raps and Husky Jerks to stay suspended.
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> Do you gentlemen use non steel leaders for pike under certain circumstances? Say extra clear water or water that holds big fish but sees some significant fishing pressure. I’ve heard of others using 50 or > pound test mono. Just like to get your thoughts “pros and cons”.

Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to address my question.
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> Tight lines,
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> JOC

Absolutely, I use heavy mono and a quick strike rig.

It’s all in where they are hooked, last weekend I caught a 41″ northern with 4# test leader, hooked right in the corner of the mouth.

I use 20 lb seguar flouro with the longest length applicable up to maybe 6 ft and a rapala sure set hook either #4 or #6 and if there’s not current or really deep water to contend with no weight or very little weight, I like to put a red bead above the hook and sometimes a brass bead between a couple glass beads above a tiny split shot to hold it in place (clacks when minnow swims), the sure set hooks are pretty cool I thread it from back of the dorsal fin to just forward of the dorsal fin, it pins the hook really right to the minnow and when the pike turns the bait to eat it I seem to get a lot of hookups in the roof of the mouth and thus less bite offs, flouro has worked out way better than I thought and I’ve only been snipped off a couple times or so in the last few years and I’ve had days where my flags have easily had triple the action of guys around me using wire

Use anything from 20# on up to 100# florocarbon for leaders… Probably overkill over 40# or 50#, but the musky guys are using floro leaders up to 130#!!!

Mark

I really cringe when I see what Fluoro costs. For some reason, heavy mono is much less expensive. I’ve been using a section of 50# Berkley Big game mono as a shock tippet when I’m fly fishing for pike and haven’t had a failure yet. However I replace it after every good fish and I can afford to do that because it’s cheap.

Rootski

Quote:

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Absolutely, I use heavy mono and a quick strike rig.

It’s all in where they are hooked, last weekend I caught a 41″ northern with 4# test leader, hooked right in the corner of the mouth.

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Where’s the pictures Charlie? BTW…sent a few more characters your way for tipdowns.

Flourocarbon leaders are all I use, with the exception of walk the dog jerkbaits which i use a single strand steel leader. For pike in Canada I typically use 80# flouro leaders, but have caught many big fish with 40# flouro as well. To answer Rootski’s question the main reason that I use flouro instead of hard mono is the abrasion resistance. For muskies i use 130# flouro leaders. You still have to check for any nicks after catching a big fish, but I can typically make it through 80-100 pike with a 80# leader before deciding to put a fresh one on.

Quote:

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Flourocarbon leaders are all I use, with the exception of walk the dog jerkbaits which i use a single strand steel leader. For pike in Canada I typically use 80# flouro leaders, but have caught many big fish with 40# flouro as well. To answer Rootski’s question the main reason that I use flouro instead of hard mono is the abrasion resistance. For muskies i use 130# flouro leaders. You still have to check for any nicks after catching a big fish, but I can typically make it through 80-100 pike with a 80# leader before deciding to put a fresh one on.

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^^This^^

Thanks you for the input! I was wondering if you use the fluorocarbon because it’s hard for the fish to see? Even clear braid is milky colored.

I’ve been using 65 or 80 pound Power Pro braid (super line). It is thin ~ thickness of (16 to 18) pound test mono. This allows for good control when walking the dog and-or jerkbaiting. However it is visible. Your thoughts guys. Is it better to go to the high test Fluorocarbon?

Thank you again for all the valuable feedback.

JOC

Braid is abrasion resistant but cuts very easily. Personally I would stay away from braid as a leader for toothy critters.

You gentlemen have convinced me. I’m going to switch to a Fluorocarbon leader. I saw some made by Seaguar 50 pound test. It’s rated highly and reasonable priced.

Thank you

Anything worth asking can be answered by the members of Ido!

When fishing suspended or surface lures I would think this would be a time when the wire leader could potentially interfere with the lures true action by weighting it down?
Is there a reason for a switch in leader material when fishing with depth specific suspending or floating lures like Zar-Spook, X-Rap, etc?
Thank you

I like to use a wire leader with any walk the dog lure. Topwater or suspending. It gives it the best side to side action. If it’s making the topwater ride too low, it might be too heavy along with the snaps and swivels.

Check out Stealth Tackle’s Leaders. They have a solution for everything. Lot’s of fluoro options. It’s all I use for muskies.

Thank you

One more question based on the experience of you guys. I did a lot of research on using Fluorocarbon for pike. Many (not all) suggest a minimum of #80 test to avoid bite offs. Based on this can I use this high test Fluorocarbon and do a little twitch and pause with a say 4″ X-Rap without impairing (deadening) the lures response?
Thank you