MyFishFinder Forum
MyFishFinder By Species => Northern Pike => Topic started by: Zorros shack on Jul 12, 2007, 07:09 PM
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At Walmart they sell wire leader and I don't know if I should get it because pike and their teeth? Because they might bite the line or just leave the fishing line alone.
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It depends if you are only targeting pike or if you are going for other species to.
Pike will hit your lure with or with out a leader, but if there are other fish like walleye around they may shy away from it. It's a matter of your own personal decision.
WW
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I agree with Water Wolf if your targeting the large toothy critters use a leader, i use just the stranded kind, not the cheaper ones.
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At Walmart they sell wire leader and I don't know if I should get it because pike and their teeth? Because they might bite the line or just leave the fishing line alone.
The first time you fail to employ a wire leader, inevitably you will hook the largest Pike/Muskie of your lifetime! You will resent forever that decision after he cuts your line like butter. Err on the side of caution, and use the leader, do not up your odds that you will lose the fish of a lifetime! JMO ;)
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I have to agree with RL. I like to fish for Macks(Lake Trout), and they tend to be a pretty finicky fish, but I have caught them while casting spoons for pike with wire leaders and they tag that spoon without reservation. Had one last week that came up from under the boat and hammered my red/white Krokodile spoon when it was only 12 feet from the boat and about 10 feet down. It wasn't the biggest Mack I've ever caught but boy did he fight. Made two good runs on me and wanted nothing to do with the net. 19"er but spirit of a 30"er!!!
Good Fishing!
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Good wire (strand) leader. IMHO
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Make your own leaders out of uncoated stranded wire. You don't need 75Lb brake strength leaders if you are fishing with 20lb line! ::)
I prefer 20-30lb American Fishing wire in 1x7 strand uncoated, the crimp sleeves to make the ends are usually right next to the wire in the store. You can select premium quality swivels and snaps in a similar strength to finish it off. Uncoated wire may me kinky and shot after a few nice fish, but you will catch more fish too!
When winter draws near, you can make your own quick strike rigs from the same wire. 8)
I want to try this stuff, but I haven't got around to it yet. Some guys say it is the ticket. Malin shock leader (http://www.malinco.com/fishing/boa.html)
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Matsuo Titanium leaders are my favorite....Yes they cost a TON, but they are the most supple, never kink and they use all Sampo snaps and swivels. I didn't believe one of my buddies when he told me these things are bulletproof....until I tried it for myself. Hard hits, big runs, weed battles...none of these cause stress kinks or turn your leader into a spring coil!
Good Fishing!
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My leaders turn to curly Q's after that type of abuse. :'(
Time to try TITANIUM! ;)
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My pike rod has 10lb mono on the spool with a 4' peice of 12lb then a 1 1/2 ' a peice of 30lb on the end. I check it after every fish for nicks and frays and change it accordingly, I am just not a big fan of wire and haven't had a big Pike rip thru the 30lb yet. I have brought in Pike in the high teen and low 20lb range, not a ton of them but enough to make me have faith in my rig. I like the presentation advantage, I figure the bigger pike have seen a few steel and wire leaders in their day.
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Hey Skipper, that BOA Ti wire leader sounds pretty cool and it is a decent price!! Less than $20 bucks for a 30' spool of 40lb test and it has the same diameter profile as the Matsuo leaders I'm buying for $8 per 18" leader at 40lb test!!!!
Definately going to have to try some of that before Hard Water sets in!
Good Fishing!
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on my tip ups i use 8 to 10 pound main line then invisa leader with a small tribel hook incressed my flags by 3 times just try it!!!! ya have to take your time when ya hook a big boy but ya get so many more flags
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AHHHH :cursing: :cursing: My 20 pound Mono was cut by big pike 5 times today while bass fishing... Im about ready to throw a leader on just so i stop losing lures...
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Yes, titanium leaders are the ultimate for pike fishing, I had a terminator that I easily landed over 1000 pike on in the past 3 summers, and finally lost it a few days ago when a snot rocket bit at the swivel instead of the lure, the leader was still in near perfect condition. Steel works but get some with good snaps and swivels or make your own as mentioned. You may even want to consider 80-100 lbs flourocarbon, but never mono even heavy stuff.
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I would say if you're using a spinnerbait don't use a leader, you will catch more fish and I have NEVER had a pike bite one off. I would say if you plan on using a jig, live bait, or smaller lures definately use a leader!
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I would say if you're using a spinnerbait don't use a leader, you will catch more fish and I have NEVER had a pike bite one off. I would say if you plan on using a jig, live bait, or smaller lures definately use a leader!
I had a 30+ incher bite a large spinnerbait off today, and have had smaller pike do it to me in the past....
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I must be the luckiest pike fisherman out there. I haven't used steel or wire leaders in probably over 15 years and I trying to think of one case where a big pike ripped through 30lb mono. I can't come up with one. I have caught fish in the mid teens to mid 20lb range. Go with what works for ya.
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Wouldn't steel or titanium be thinner and more supple than 30# plastic line?
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Yes
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Wouldn't steel or titanium be thinner and more supple than 30# plastic line?
It is amazing how small of diameter a titanium leader is that is rated to 40#s...it looks and feels like a piece of dental floss, not the flat kind...
you get the picture....
Good Fishing!
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Wouldn't steel or titanium be thinner and more supple than 30# plastic line?
I have never laid eyes on this titanium stuff. I'll give it a shot if I see it.
I'll take 30lb mono over a steel leader anyday.
I don't feel steel is more supple than mono, the advantage would be it's breaking point but it is definately not as flexible.
I use the 30lb mono because for the most part the fish are 10-15lbs where I target them. I'll get the occasinal 17,18 lber a couple times a year and the mono has no problem handling them.
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You must be the luckiest fisherman MickeyFinn. I tried 44 lb flourocarbon as a leader for walleye fishing due to the abundance of small pike I catch as well, since I don't like getting bite off, loosing my jigs, and retying about every second fish. I usually just use a cheap light steel leader, but thought some decent size flouro might get me more hook ups, not that the steel was preventing me from catching fish, I was just hoping for more. The first fish I hooked however was a snot rocket that cleanly bit right through it. I would guess I would have to use at least 80-100 lb flourocarbon as a leader. Also a steel or titanium leader, will not result in less fish compared to a clear leader such as flourocarbon, when using a moving lure such as a spoon, or spinnerbait, etc, when pike fishing. Only deadbaiting or very slow presentations may warrant the use of a clear leader resulting in increased hits.
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i have yet to see evidence of pike being shy because of a leader, even in winter with 50 lb black line and a 80 lb leader we have no problem catching many large pike, something tells me even 80 lb floro. is not as tough as 80 lb titanium wire.
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i have yet to see evidence of pike being shy because of a leader, even in winter with 50 lb black line and a 80 lb leader we have no problem catching many large pike, something tells me even 80 lb floro. is not as tough as 80 lb titanium wire.
Yup! There is no way they bite through titanium that I have seen. But mono or floro is just a crap shoot.
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Floro seems to retain the Exact shape of the spool it was stored on in cold weather. Tangle city dude!
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I'm gonna start using leaders when fishing in pike waters. Last summer i had a big pike completely inhale my favorite spinnerbait and was gone before i could set the hook. That sure taught me.
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i use a invisa leader its a ultra thin wire leader works great
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The lake I fish has a lot of bass and pike so I use a fluro leader on my spinnerbaits and in 3 years have not lost one yet!
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A Fluoro leader is good but the pike will nick it and you must tie a new one on often. The titanium leaders look nice and thin might have to try one.
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Here in Quebec when fishing for walleye, I have the same problem with pike biting off my lures every now and again. I hate using wire leaders.....especially those in 30 lb size with a swivel at one end and a big snap on the other end.
A few years ago, a guy from France sent me some finesse leader material in 6 to 12 lb size. It is braided steel wire (49 to 54 strands). The stuff is so flexible that I can tie knots in it. It works great but if I get hooked on bottom or catch a decent pike, the wire gets all curly cued and is worthless.
Just the other day I came across this site that sells titanium leader material. Wow....the 25 lb test titanium is the same size as good 8 lb test mono (0.010"). It is flexible enough to tie knots in it and will not kink. It even has a bit of elasticity. Here is the link. http://www.aquateko.com/Knot_2_Kinky_Titanium_Fishing_Leader_Wire_s/1.htm
There are videos on the site.
They also sell invisible swivels.....made of fluorocarbon and they are a lot smaller than I thought they would be.
I contacted the company and asked if they plan to sell smaller diameter titanium and the response was yes.
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http://www.aquateko.com/Knot_2_Kinky_Titanium_Fishing_Leader_Wire_s/1.htm (http://www.aquateko.com/Knot_2_Kinky_Titanium_Fishing_Leader_Wire_s/1.htm)
Here is a clickable.
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I use wire leader for pike sometimes. Fluorocarbon works good too.