Thoughts on fluorocarbon leaders for pike fishing? I fish lures for pike and have been mainly using wire leaders but I don't like how they crinkle and get worn after a few fish. What...

FS Digest

I fish lures for pike and have been mainly using wire leaders but I don't like how they crinkle and get worn after a few fish.

What do you guys think of fluorocarbon as a leader material? I'm thinking 50lb / 0.74mm would be good for it.

Can pike bite through fluorocarbon?

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by Sprongle18

FS Digest

I use fluorocarbon leaders for muskie fishing and haven't had any bite through yet, as long as you are using larger lures there should be more likely they go for the lure and hooks instead of biting hire up on the line!

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by MyCleverUsername_

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, for Spanish Mackeral and Kings, as well as other toothy creatures in the Gulf of Mexico, a little wire is required.. i am not sure it makes much difference between a strong Fluorocarbon leader and a wire leader as long as the fish isn't particularly shy about hitting the bait. Just Sayin...RJS

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

FS Digest wrote:

I fish lures for pike and have been mainly using wire leaders but I don't like how they crinkle and get worn after a few fish.

What do you guys think of fluorocarbon as a leader material? I'm thinking 50lb / 0.74mm would be good for it.

Can pike bite through fluorocarbon?

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by Sprongle18

This is just my opinion, but I use floro leaders for (1) less visible, (2) a shock absorber to prevent pulled hooks.
It is NOT harder to cut than mono, with my nail clippers, therefore its NOT harder to bite thru with sharp teeth.
If you use a MUCH HEAVIER lb test piece of floro, it will be hardER to bite thru, but may adversely effect your lure's action. Wire, either single strand,or braided is the only thing I know of that's harder to bite thru. If you want to save money, buy the raw materials and make your own. I used to make leaders for Bluefish, Shark rigs etc. during the winter, for the following season.

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

FS Digest wrote:

I fish lures for pike and have been mainly using wire leaders but I don't like how they crinkle and get worn after a few fish.

What do you guys think of fluorocarbon as a leader material? I'm thinking 50lb / 0.74mm would be good for it.

Can pike bite through fluorocarbon?

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by Sprongle18

I know a lot of guys use these for pike and musky, but I would say don't. Although not common, a big fish can and will cause a bite off. I have seen it on a musky over 50 inches. Pretty sad to lose the fish of a lifetime on a bite off. I use pricy (titanium) leaders. I have been using the same one for about three years, so price becomes meaningless at that point. The one currently on my rod, after all that time, is perfect and kink free.

https://www.fishusa.com/Terminator-PreRigged-Braided-Titanium-Leaders?quantity=1&L-Length=534&L-Test=650

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

MuskyHunter wrote:

I know a lot of guys use these for pike and musky,... (show quote)

Cool, I wasn't aware Titanium ones were available. That's definitely the way to go!

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I use 80 fluoro for musky.
Make my own and save money. They are expensive store bought
Perfection loop knots, crimps and glue. I use good quality hardware.
Never had a problem
Check the Leader for nicks. Rocks and cover can damage and teeth and gill plates can Cause damage

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

Ben Bragg wrote:

I use 80 fluoro for musky.
Make my own and save money. They are expensive store bought
Perfection loop knots, crimps and glue. I use good quality hardware.
Never had a problem
Check the Leader for nicks. Rocks and cover can damage and teeth and gill plates can Cause damage

Just wait till that big fish bites you off. My buddy was using 100lb. test Seaguar. He also said never had a problem until it happened. He also never used one again.

You can also make your own titanium leaders, but since they last so long, for me, it isn't worth the effort.

Gary Northrop Loc: Richland WA

I agree 100% with Ben Bragg, using 80lb fluorocarbon on LARGE aggressive
Great Slave Lake (Northwest Territories) northern pike for many years. Just
be sure to check for deep nicks in the line. I also use loop knots, but without crimps, and
apply two part epoxy to the knot. A major advantage of fluorocarbon leaders is that
you can handle the leaders with a twisting fish and you won't cut your hand.

fishrmans Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl

If it’s hooked in the lips, any leader will do. If it’s hooked deep, behind the back teeth it will cut you off if you are using 100 lb flouro. If you want to catch big northern pike, and keep them, always use a good wire leader.
A 20 lb wire leader will handle most any northern and a good brand won’t crinkle.

harleypiker Loc: WA

I use 80# fluor for pike since if i get bit off i am not loosing a trophy in most lakes here. But i do not use it
anymore for our prize tiger muskies. Getting a great one happens occasionally and I don't want to spoil the rare opportunity. A friend dropped his lure straight down on a tiger which had followed. He grabbed it, set the lure and zip...he was gone. I had a sturgeon pull off my bait, I set the hook and zip; his side plate scales easily cut the 80# fluor with little effort. As stated elsewhere here, it works great when the hook is not buried deep
in the fish's mouth. But they can roll and easily roll up the leader in their mouth also.