Break offs!

[Juice88]

Fished crappies yesterday and had 2 pike break my line. I was using some monofilament ice line. Which line is good for panfish but could also handle the occasional pike without too many break offs?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Fished crappies yesterday and had 2 pike break my line. I was using some monofilament ice line. Which line is good for panfish but could also handle the occasional pike without too many break offs?

None.. you could go with a braid.. but even then you would get some break offs.. and probably catch less panfish.. Write the loss of a small jig as "good fun" and re-tie and get over it.

Sorry to be harsh, but "it" happens.

[Rymann]

+1 Deitz

There is no way to avoid that and still be stealthy. Its a fact of ice fishing that we all deal with.

[Lost Cause]

agreed, but a lot has to do with luck and drag, caught the 16lber in the pic there on 4lb mono, just took about 45 minutes to land it

[TravP]

agreed, but a lot has to do with luck and drag, caught the 16lber in the pic there on 4lb mono, just took about 45 minutes to land it

Pike have razor sharp teeth, it happens. Retie and get your jig back down there.

[northernsportman]

You could use a braided line but even then you will still have break offs. No matter what you do if they get it inside their mouth you are vulnerable to break offs. All you can do is hope you hook it in the lip and play them off by using correct drag or backreeling.

[TyGuy02]

I usually use 4-6 lb line and I have caught more pike than panfish, and haven't snapped a line yet. I understand that if a sharp tooth catches the line in a particular way it'll snap no question, but it also has a lot to do with taking your time.

When I was growing up I always wondered why my Dad was always catching the big pike that were breaking his line and I never broke mine. Last week we were out and I learned why. He was wrenching on the rod like he had "super" line and snap. If a person remembers that they have lite line they can still bring in those pike.

[Random guy]

When a big pike grabs your panfish rig hand it to a 9 year old...they always seem to be able to land a big fish on light line.

[g_anoka]

Not really much you can do if you want to catch panfish. I use 2# so I do have my share of break-offs, but I will pay that prize to catch more panfish. Set your drag light and hope for the best.

[south_metro_fish]

I have caught one on 5lb Lindy ice line and one on 6lb p-line fluoro-clear this year and it hardly did anything to the line. I think smaller lb test would probably hold up just as good. The copolymer and fluorocarbon coated lines are great, this is the first time I have tried any of them and I am very pleased.

[Northlander]

Stick with some good 3# test and you will be fine. If your fishing around that many pike you probably should move to a btter panfish area. I find when the pike are around the pannies arent.

[panfishpounder00]

ok... yeah braided does work but i've landed 5 pike over 28" this year using 2lb gamma copolymer ice line with no issues! drag is a huge part! work them slow and keep a light drag! and also dont move! whereever the panfish are, the pike will sure to be there also no matter! they are predatory fish! no way round it. a good flouro should help also. a bit stiffer but reststs knicks and stuff.. dont use it outside a fish house or shelter of some sort, it will kink up when succombed to outdoor use! unless it is unseasonably warm or during late ice. hope this helps.

[jwhjr]

I just look at it as the way it goes when using 2# line for panfish. I've landed them on 2# line before and had my share of break offs. I just retie and get back to fishing.