Bass and Pike Trolling. Answer Please

[stelmon]

Hey,
Last year my dad and I were fishing a lake and we had been catching bass trolling on this lure all summer. Well, i decided to let my friend try this lure. We were trolling again and he had a huge hit on his cheap reel. Snap the line instantly. Well, they stop making the lure but I found one that resembled it. Well, now I don't wanna loose it and I was wondering how much pound test leader/wire could I use so this could maybe not happen next time? So my question is how much pound leader could I use to where i could catch bass and pike?

[DaveW731]

Stelman:
Sounds like the problem wasn't the leader.....probably best to make sure that the reel is in good working order.
However, if you want to be sure to NEVER lose a fish because of the line, you could consider using telephone cable.....
Seriously....there is always a trade off between having a leader that is heavy enough to ensure against breakoffs, without being so heavy that it interferes with lure action, or spooks the fish.
Probably the way to look at it is to make sure all the equipment is in good condition, replace your line when it looks frayed, twisted or kinked, and use your best judgement about breakstrength, based on your knowledge of the water you are fishing.
For my heaviest applications for bass, I use 20 lb spiderwire, with a lead of 14lb low stretch, high abraison mono. Never had a breakoff. I add a 12"-18" 30lb wire leader, if trolling for pike.

[shooter921]

Stelmon like Dave said there is always the chance of loosing a lure. But I would keep the drag loose on the reel, replace the line every year or so, and use a steel leader. Try looking in some online fishing websites for the lure. I found a lure that they stoped making once, maybe you will have the same luck.

80

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Knots are your weakest link. Make sure you use a knot like a palomar.

[stelmon]

No NO, the fish completely bit the whole lure. It look like a knie was taken to it at the place where the fish hit. The drag was very loose because that is how I have it all the time. Hope this help's

[shooter921]

I guess I am lost? Did she break the line, or what? If it was the line a steel leader should work fine.

80

[Woolybugger]

You may need to use a steel leader. If something with teeth hit the line like pike, muskie, or gar they can cut it.

[stelmon]

So then I would eliminate the chance of catching bass is I did that. I said last but screwed up that the pike cut the line like a knife. Sorry for the miss communication if any!!!

[ESOX]

When I am Bass fishing it is not at all unusual for a Pike to totally engulf the bait. For most LSC Bass I use 10# Fireline and very seldom does a Pike manage to bite it off. The addition of a wire leader will inhibit Bass sized lure action to the point of uselessnes. When I am fishing for Pike and Muskie I generally use a 17# Braided line with a 6-8" sevenstrand steel leader, preferably black. With the size of those lures, it is rare for a fish to get even half way up a 6" leader, and you get a lot better bait action.

[Hook N. Sinker]

I had pike bite my line and swim off with my crankbait before. This time of year pike and bass are in the same places, eating the same things. I'm using a wire leader now. Don't want the pike to get hurt. Try fishing a spinnerbait. They don't need a leader as fish cant bite through the wire, and it's a very effective bait.

[stelmon]

I guess there is no way to catch bass with wireline, but i'll try all your suggestion's. Thanks