What lines do you use when casting for Pike?

[Maydar1]

I have been using the 40lb Power Pro, but still occasionally break off when there teeth cut the line. I have this wire leader that you can actually tie knots with usually used for saltwater, but I don't get as many hits, and occasionally the Power Pro knot slips on it. I lost a 40 incher last summer after fighting it for 3 min. He had my jerkbait completely in his mouth his teeth cut the power pro I'm guessing. Do you guys always use a steel leader?

[ccavacini]

I use no more than 12lb. for pike...always use a steel leader...I like the 6" rather than the 9" leaders as they don't dampen the action of the lure as much

Also, I think you'll find, that in most cases, it's not the pike's teeth that cuts the line but his gill covers.

[MuskyDan]

yes, always use a leader and maybe even go with heavier power-pro. I use the 50 and 80 for pike and muskies.

Good Luck,

[MSUICEMAN]

the teeth rarely cut line, as they are like needles and the chance of the line being caught between the point of the needle and something else is low. Usually its the gill plates, as they are razor sharp and the pike likes to angle away and roll sometimes causing the line to come in contact with em.

anyways, that power pro is some pretty tough stuff, I'd think 40lb should be sufficient. as far as losing fish, I dont know what to tell ya, make sure that you use a palomar knot with superbraids.

what knot are you using to attach the tyger (if thats the brand) steel to the powerpro? i've never had a locked albright knot slip on me.

[Lwapo]

Spider Wire... mmm...

I'm a big fan of spider wire. I've used a lot of it and have had great luck.

As for the pike... gotta use the leader. Even if its a smaller one. It's protecting your line, but its also protecting the fish. Much better to (possibly) get a few less hits than to have a 40 incher swimming around with a lure attached to its face.

[waterfoul]

Ask thedude if pike don't indeed bite your bait off. I fished with him once last summer and he lost his bait on 3 consecutive casts without hardly even feeling the fish. No gill plate involved.

But, when targeting pike, I always run a 6" steel leader because it is usually the gill plates that will cut your line... usually after you get them to the boat the first time and they bolt and roll away... snap!

[esox master]

I use 14lb fire line for trolling for pike or casting lures that are used to cover lots of water. The 14 lb is also used when I am fishing away from wood or dense weeds. I bump up to 30lb when fishing jigs such as jmac’s, which are normall, pitched into dense weeds and wood or when I am fishing near lots of cover with most lures. The 14lb will rarely break off though I have pulled 25lb pike out of thick cover numerous times. When fishing any type of bait that isn’t meant to go deep into the weed cover I use 6inch 30lb titanium leaders pricey but they are far superior to steel leaders. Though when I fish jigs for pike I always use 25lb knot able leader because the lack of swivels will make it not get hung up in the weeds.

[Maydar1]

Do you guys just use the steel leaders with the snap on one end. those are pretty stiff. The steel leader I use is very limp and you can tie knots with it. It doesn't seem to dampen the lures movement as much, but my knots slip from time to time. Maybe I just have to work on my albright knot, I'm knot very efficient in tying it yet.

[kbkrause]

With power pro, I use a palomar knot but loop it through double...

http://www.powerpro.com/using/palomar.asp

[Sailor]

I like 14# fireline,6" leader and Uniknots with 8 turns.

[redneckman]

I may sound crazy but I use 8lb stren with no leaders. Caught lots of pike last year. My biggest was 33inches 7lbs. Only lost 1 due to line cut. My friend lost a few more but not many. I alway used rapalas and rattle traps with no snap swivels either.

Redneckman

[Little Roober]

I use 8 lb with a 4 inch wire leader.

POST 400!!

L. Roober

[steelhead1]

Power Pro!!!!!!

[Dedicated Sportsman]

I use 12# and no leader. Last year i fished for mainly pike and had no bite offs. I think that you get more bites with no leader also, and you need bites to catch fish!

[mykass]

I feel out of place but I have really decent success with 20lb and 30lb p-line fishing for toothies. I break off rarely and that is usually hurrying and a poor knot:rolleyes: But I love the feel of braid when ripping jerk baits through the water.

[n.pike]

I use Spiderwire 6-20 for casting, 10-50 for trolling. I tie directly to spinnerbaits, but use a ball bearing swivel with bodybaits. I've tried different leaders in the past, but it seems to affect action of the lure and reduce catches.

[bucknuts33]

Depends where i am fishing. Locally ( SE MICH) lighter lines. Usually 12 pound suffix seige with a 6" leader. Canada though I go heavier. 20 pound flourocarbon tied with a 100# floro lead. No breaks or problems with either setup. The last line break or cut was from my ultralight on Lake Hamlin fishing for perch. Big toothy decided my 2" minnow was a good meal. 2# line was no match.....!!!

[ausable_steelhead]

I run 8lb, and a 6" wire-leader. But my leaders aren't the usual thick,stiff ones. The ones I got are very light and thin. I used them to bobber-fish sucker minnows. I think pike can bite you off. I've been spinner fishing smallies many times, and watch a pike slip in from nowhere, engulf my #2-3 vibrax from behind, close mouth, and snip, slack-line. Lots of stuff can work for pike. I like running large in-line spinners, and double-blade spinnerbaits, both bulged just below the surface. Rattle-traps(or any lip-less rattler) can be deadly on pike, especially(it seems) when nothing else works.

[len]

8lb trielene with a 18 inch 30lb. leader tied on with blood knot. never fails once you catch a few trim leader back some.
Len

[shanny28757]

I dont know what kind of pike some of you are fishing for that use 40, 50, 80,lb line. I use 8lb mono with no leader almost exclusively when fishing for pike and have caught many 40"+. Last year i caught a 39"er on 4lb test with an ultralight rod. More fun to me to fight a fish than drag it across the top of the water like in a pro bass tournament.