florocarbon leaders for tip ups for pike question

[mrpike1973]

hello i would like to try flouro carbon leaders for pike. first question is there a difference between floro in a big spool compared to leader floro i cant find it in the local blue mart. 2nd question what pound test should i use i was thinking #20. can i tie to a swivel on the dacron line then just tie direct to the hook. any help would be great i think i would have better luck without steel leaders and it sounds like biteoffs will be minimal. i will just have to check my line more. thanks for your help.

[Gus]

There can be a difference between flouro made for leaders and flouro made for main line. Usually the leader flouro is way too stiff to manage on a reel, generally has a tougher coating or makeup as well. Either will probably work just fine. I choose to use the leader material because I think it is tougher.

For tipups I do just as you describe. Dacron -> Swivel -> 20Lb Flouro. (I would go higher lb if you are fishing waters capable of 20lb + pike) Generally I don't find the need. Get 3-4 fish on average before I retie the hook. I use about a 5 foot leader and just retie when the hook area gets knicked up too much.

[leakywaders]

I've been using 40lb test flourocarbon, just a couple feet of it. Dacron, egg sinker, swivel, flouro, circle hook. Seems to work really well.

I use Cabela's flourocarbon leader material. I think they state that it is made by Seagaur.

Not a pike, but here's a recent catch on this set-up. Fish was around 6lbs. Easily released on the circle hook.

I believe that by using the circle hook, you also minimize the nicks in the line because all the line is out of the fishes mouth. This is because circle hooks almost always hook in the corner of the jaw, not inside the fishes mouth. I rarely have to retie due to nicked line. I usually target pike, but bass are almost always an incidental catch on the lakes I fish.

[mrpike1973]

what knots do you use. i bought some #30 and its very hard to get it to tie any suggestions

[JimBuck]

Did you fit the bass through that hole? Tight squeeze! Nice fish..

As for leaders, I use 25lb. fluoro and it seems to work well. I use a barrel swivel with it as well.

[leakywaders]

Yeah, landing and releasing that fish through a 5 inch hole is a whole story unto itself!

I've been using a 3 or four turn clinch knot for attaching the flouro to the hook and the swivel. Seems to work well with this heavy stuff, I'm not sure it would work with 20lb or less, might slip.

For knots I always use the book "Practical Fishing Knots" by Mark Sosin and Lefty Kreh as a reference guide.

Brian

[The Hex]

30 pound Vanish.