Pike Leaders

[MisterShoaf]

Does anyone have a preferance on pike leaders. I have a steel and want to try the 100lb flouro leaders I have seen. I feel like they are too stiff...???

[ESOX]

Tyger Wire. Pike aren't very line shy, 15# Tyger Wire is about the diameter of 6# mono.

[buster5199]

I have gone to a 20# Fire line on my tip ups and have yet to have one break off on me. Play them slow and carefule and they work great imho. I am sure you will get a lot of different views on this, but 100# seems to be a little over the top.

[wartfroggy]

I have run 50# Big Game mono and never broke off a fish. Have also run 35# but you do have to check your line for nicks after each fish. I do see a difference in the number of flags by running mono and not steel.

[StStutz]

I typically run 30lb mono. Seem to get more flags than with steel leaders. I've experimented with power pro and have a few clean break offs so i went back to mono. Thinking about trying fireline though.

[bigsid]

I use 14# spiderwire and I think I may have had one breakoff. Otherwise, no problems.

[TheBigRedDog]

I use about 6 to 10 ft of mono 8 to 30 lb test depends what I'm fishing for. Way more flags than with steel leaders might loose a few fish but you have to change how you set the hook and fight the fish.

[DaveW731]

I use about 6 to 10 ft of mono 8 to 30 lb test depends what I'm fishing for. Way more flags than with steel leaders might loose a few fish but you have to change how you set the hook and fight the fish.

I use a short length of 30#flouro with a 1/0 Circle hook, attached to 6' of 14# mono, then to black dacron. More flags than with even 15# tyger wire. "Setting the hook" amounts to steadily pulling on the line, causing the hook to slide till it catches in the corner of the mouth. That way, limited amount of abraison from the teeth. Works that way most of the time, anyway.

[browning13]

I usually fish 30# mono and it seems like I get a few more flags than with steel leaders.

[Roosevelt]

I do just fine with your typical black, plastic coated steel leaders. I've had pike chew right thru a fishing net, nylon stringer and rope so...

Only time I don't use leaders for pike is w' artificial lures.

[Ferris_StateHunter]

Dacron with an 8# flouro leader is what I have. Works great. Yet to be broken yet.

I like the light line so it gives my bait a little less resistance to swimming around down there. The more realistic your bait looks the better, Also keep in mind pike are opportunistic feeders. They always like an easy meal, so all options will work, just some better than others. IMO if your confident with your equipment then go with whatever helps you feel will make you more successful. 100 guys on here can run 100 different set ups and all work.

Try different set ups ( if possible) then go with what you feel confident with and gives you the most flags

[DocHoliday]

Does anyone have a preferance on pike leaders. I have a steel and want to try the 100lb flouro leaders I have seen. I feel like they are too stiff...???

100lb is probably to big. I use 80lb big game while trolling for muskies and I have never lost a fish from a cut leader. For pike I use 20lb flouorcarbon leaders and haven't had a cut line yet. Although I have had to retie a few hooks from nicks after a pike.

[fish_skeered]

i use 25lb mono but i'm a newbie

[nmeersseman23]

i use 20# spider wire and i have never lost one .Way more fish than steel

[Banditto]

I make my own from 7Strand wire and bearing swivels. better than money can buy, infinite possibilities. Add a shiny spiner for flash and jig a golden shiner right at dusk is my best setup.

After I lost a trophy musky at the hole everything changed for me.

[Dip Fortuna]

Call me crazy, but I use the same 20lb mono leaders my dad left on the tip-ups from back in the 80s. I've never lost a fish and have caught a 35" and two 27" pike this year. I just play em and gaff when they come up. The single hook is always buried in the corner of the mouth.;)

[kispiox2keys]

I have been using 20# fluoro for years, can't say I've lost a fish to a cut off yet. Prior to that, I used 30# Mason Hard type leader material. That includes a 50" pike from Tawas bay.

I see no reason to use braided wire for pike. I'd use straight #4 or #7 leader wire with haywire or greene twist to hook and albright it to 20-30# fluoro.

A 30# wahoo won't cut #7 wire, and pike don't have teeth anywhere near those of a wahoo or kingfish.

But by all means, use what you have confidence in.

[vano397]

I did a test and found that flouro leader material is a lot stronger than flouro line, but I have not only noticed more pike, but a lot more walleye on tip-ups with the flouro leader material...30# seems to be more than strong enough and abrasion resistant enough also, but 50 wouldn't hurt. Ive also been using a swediah pimple also, helps get rid of the stiffness

[Cedar Swamp]

I use Seagar 20# Flouro and haven't had one break it yet. But, I always check the leader for nicks after hooking.

I have broke off fish on Spider Wire setting hooks with tip-ups and rod/reel.

Only thing I believe that Spider Wire and all lines made of the same material are good for is,dental floss.