FS Digest

I found a small lake holding some massive pike and I’m on a mission to crush my pb this fall. I’ve never had issues breaking off using mono/floro catching 20-30” pike, but this lake has 10+ pounders. I’ve been there twice so far and have been bitten clean off on the strike twice.

Does anyone have any recommendations for wire leaders to use, what length, strength and so on. I just bought some new pike lures and don’t want to lose anymore gear.

Lures I’m using are 1/2-2oz swimbaits, squarbills, willow blade spinners and #5 mepps spinners. Water is very murky.

Also wondering if leaders with snaps are okay? I’ve always tied my lures to my mainline but I plan on doing some power fishing and swapping lures frequently, so the fastest effective method would be best.

Thanks for any feedback.

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by SpicoliWanKenobi

FS Digest

Wire is overkill.

50lb flouro world work, 80 would be fine too.

100 or 130lb is pretty common for targeting trophy musky.

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by Fishtastrophe

FS Digest

Good to know, I’ll give it a shot. Can I tie 50lb flouro to 50lb braid? Or will I have to get heavier braid?

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by SpicoliWanKenobi

FS Digest

Braid weight is fine. Use a swivel between the braid and leader.

Are you in the states? I can send you a leader to try out.

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by Fishtastrophe

fishrmans Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl

Use an 8 - 12 inch 20 lb wire leader and be done with it. A 10 lb pike will cut an 80 lb mono or flouro leader like butter. Why waste your time and then lose that once in a lifetime 20+ lb fish. A northern isn’t bothered by a wire leader as they are a reaction strike fish. Next time you get one of those larger northern just take some mono, flouro or braid and loop it behind his back teeth and give a little pull. He will cut those lines like a razor.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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🎣🐠🐸🦞USA....."Gone Fishing!!-----~~~<*))}}}}>><{{ 🎣🐠🐸🦞USA.....


Braided line – Braid is the line you choose for the utmost in sensitivity. There is next to no stretch in braid which many anglers like. It does however take some getting used to as this no stretch had the ability to break rod tips and cut deeply into skin as well as will need a change to your overall rod fighting technique.

Resiliency is a giant bonus with using braided line. You can fish the heaviest of cover with good braid and have the confidence the line will hold up in rocky or woody areas. Techniques where braid is beneficial are fishing live bait, throwing lures in heavy cover, top water techniques and fishing heavy cover.

I mentioned earlier that using a Braided Line is great for "Northern Pike" fishing because it's stiff and strong. There's also another reason. ... Fisherman often use a braided line with a 40-65 pound line test as it gives more confidence while fishing that you won't lose any lures or "Northern Pike" for that matter.



🎣🐠🐸🦞USA....."Gone Fishing!!-----~~~<*))}}}}>><{{ 🎣🐠🐸🦞USA.....



🐠

Jvy

I have been guiding for pike in AK for years, the best leaders I have found are from Z Leader in Wisconsin. Jeremy will even make custom leaders for anything you need.
Great leaders, just google it. He also is on EBay.

jfbanzai Loc: Menomonie, Wisconsin

I use 40lb braid and a 40lb wire leader on my bigger pike rods. I used to just go with straight braid, but had a couple of big ones roll on me and break the line. The ones I use are 12 inches with a snap on the end. Haven't had one break off since and they don't seem to see the leader.

fishrmans Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl

40 and 40 is plenty heavy. I usually go 20 and 20 but definitely a wire leader. I don’t care what anybody says. If you hook them deep, behind the back teeth they will cut any braid, mono or flouro. I don’t care if it’s 100 lb braid. You need a wire leader if your after the big ones. The wire leader doesn’t bother them.

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Leaders come in 2 colors, I prefer the black ones as opposed to the shiny ones.

jfbanzai Loc: Menomonie, Wisconsin

I go heavy, because the ones I catch can go above the 20 pound range and there are heavy weeds where I catch them. You need to be able to horse them out of the heavy stuff and the heavier line doesn't seem to hurt anything.

the troller Loc: Downers Grove, il.

Sounds good, but wrong.....

When the "once in a lifetime Musky"
cuts your plastic leader in its gill plates, leaving you with no lure or trophy,
you will change your tune and begin to use a WIRE LEADER!