Leaders for Pike...Which Ones?

[Tuds75]

I just purchased a new Shimano Calcutta 400B and would like to deck it out for a pike rig, but I also would like to not just limit the such a nice reel (and subsequent rod) to the small amount of pike fishing I do throughout the year. So I spooled it with 40lb Suffix Braid, but I'm torn on what kind of leader to use. I plan on fishing spinners, cranks, buzzbaits, swimbaits, soft plastics, pretty much every.

Are Fluro-leaders the way to go? I will be fishing ultra-clear water, so should I stay away from wire leaders? I would like something that acts as a shocker since I will be using braid and a pretty stiff rod. What is a good test(I know most go with 100#), but do I need that heavy. Also could do I need to get the ready made Fluro-leaders or could I just purchase a small spool of heavy fluro. Since it seems the leader-line cost more then a regular spool. Just trying to get everything set up for open water. Any info you have would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[waterbound]

You should go with a fluoro leader in 100 pound test. You could probably get by with 80 pound but I wouldn't want to lose a lure because I cheaped out on my leader. Fluoro is a lot like mono but heavier and it can be cut with a knife (not easily, but it can be done) which means a pike can bite through it, too. You can buy small spools to make your own leaders but I think you would need some extra tools like crimpers to make them.

[delmuts]

Tuds. You can find alot of great info on leaders( steel and flouro) by looking in the muskie forum. The guys not only talk about what wire, test line to use, but the best tools, and parts to make them with. What little i actually fish for pike, i'll run the #120 flouro, but many times i will be bass fishing and will use a #80 to save on getting bitten off(for muskie i use heavier).If you are dealing with alot of weeds; take the snap off and replace it with a split ring.( it will come thru the weeds cleaner)

[chief]

Tuds,

If, as you say, you won't do a lot of pike fishing in any given year, I recommend you purchase a couple of quality wire leaders in the 60# to 80# range with a length of 12 inches. All chain stores carry these. Titanium models are very good, as are the multi strand wire versions (stay away from the cheaply built, plastic coated models).

Look for brand names like SPRO, Terminator, Joe Bucher, etc. These will also have strong, high quality snaps and swivels which are vital to a reliable leader. You won't likely be using huge lures for pike, and smaller lures tend to work more efficiently with wire. Pike are not leader shy, so fluorocarbon's low visibility isn't much of a selling point. In your pike fishing scenario, a spool of fluorocarbon leader material is an unecessary expense.

[Jim Uran]

Little pike aren't leader shy, but the big gals on pressured waters, that's a different story

[solbes]

Little pike aren't leader shy, but the big gals on pressured waters, that's a different story

I would agree with this. It's a tough compromise to make at certain times. You either have less chance of landing one or less chance of getting one to strike. More often than not though, I'll go with a leader when intentionally targeting pike. Mainly to avoid the extreme frustration of the drag scream & snap off.

[mainbutter]

There's nothing wrong with a fluoro leader.

Even 25lb fluoro is a great leader material, dozens of pike on it last summer lead to ZERO bite-offs. That includes some really nice 35''+s and a handful of muskies from ~30''-48''

There IS the risk of a bite off, it isn't as cut-proof as steel, but fluoro still gives great bite protection.

80lb and 100lb are great. This stuff is at least as tough as mono, and I use 100lb mono for cheap shark leader that is easier to cut than thick steel shark leaders if I have to leave a hook in.

As stated before, check musky tackle. There are plenty of retailers that carry pre-made 80lb+ fluoro leaders.

[wahoo]

I like the spro stuff and titanium leaders. If you wish to use fluoro, you don't really need to crimp. I use a spider knot with an improved albright knot to connect mon, or fluoro, to spectra. Slides through guides easily. I have used this with spectra up to 135 lbs with a 100 lb top shot. Shouldn't be a problem on a short leader. This has worked well on 200 lb plus tuna. I only crimp with leaders over 150 lb mono.

Nearly as good as a bimini without all the hassle. Quick to tie.

wahoo

[TapsBug]

I use Tyger wire. You can tie knots in it just like mono. I tie a high quality barrel swivel to my line, then tie on the Tyger, then my lure. Works great for fly fishing too! I like it a lot better than the Cortland coated wire.

http://www.tygerleader.com/

I use an improved cinch most of the time. For a lure/fly that needs room to move I use an Arbor knot...aka "Jam knot"...never had one break! Google Barry's Pike fly knot.

The good thing about Tyger wire is that you can buy it in a lot of different diameters. I also use it bass fishing sometimes when the Pike are hitting my swim jigs or rubber worms. It doesn't seem to scare off the bass.

[fatfinger]

i just picked up some "bleeding leaders"- blood red surflon stainless steel.i got the 45lb.supposedly they're new & i figured id give em a whirl.made by american fishing wire i believe.

[Acemac]

I really dont get the leaders out there. Why do i need 45lbs leader.... it makes no sense to me. I can never find a 5lbs leader or 10lbs just 2.4 million lbs leaders. all i need is something that the pike cant bite through i dont need to lift a car.

on a side note after having the camera in the water this winter and watching pike hit things that had so much steal hanging off of them I guess it dont really matter they are just dumb in general.

[Nick Kuhn]

I really dont get the leaders out there. Why do i need 45lbs leader.... it makes no sense to me. I can never find a 5lbs leader or 10lbs just 2.4 million lbs leaders. all i need is something that the pike cant bite through i dont need to lift a car.

on a side note after having the camera in the water this winter and watching pike hit things that had so much steal hanging off of them I guess it dont really matter they are just dumb in general.

It's because either the pike can simply cut through thin steel or that making steel that thin would be so susceptible to kinking that the leader would break far too easily and defeat it's own purpose. If you don't like the heavier leaders then risk losing your lures.