Florocarbon leaders for Northern Pike

[NCLaker]

Sick of losing expensive Rapala's to Pike when casting for walleyes. Thinking of tying on a floro leader to help minimize my losses. What is the lightest floro leader you think I could tie on that help minimize my line getting cut by these guys?

Hoping 20# (Suffix) would do the trick, lighter if possible. I would probably attach to my main line with a double uni, and use a crankbait clip onto the lure.

Any feedback on this approach/dilemma is appreciated - thanks!

[Nick Kuhn]

I'm not sure what the minimum diameter is that'll work, but I know a good sized pike's teeth can cut halfway through 100lb flouro leaders.

[bobber_down_1979]

Based on experience, they work well, but only in large sizes. I use sizez in the 60-100 pound test with success. If you were planning on going down to the 20 pound range you improvement is going to be marginal. Then again, marginal is better than nothing and if you are only using small sections it is not going to cost you that much. The problem is, I can't really think of a better way address you spacific challenge. Sometims I think fisherman do worry too much about "line shy issues". I would just amp up to about 50 pound test flouro, and see if you think it results in a lower catch rate. I have caught a 27 inch walley on accident using a 120 pound steel branded leader, with a 8 inch sucker on a double treble quick strike.

[Brian-Mn]

It might seem anti-Walleye but tie on a short wire leader. Get the silver and not the black kind. It won't affect the action and you will save a few bucks on lures.

[slipperybob]

I'm cheap and will use 20# or 30# mono to offset bite offs. I just have to check the lead line more often. It kind of depends on the fish's mood. Some of them really clamp down and their teeth will cut. Fortunately most of them don't, so there's only a few minow scratches on the line most of the time.

[mainbutter]

I've heard of even 100lb fluoro being cut by esox teeth, but from my experience in the past few years I tend to doubt how often that happens.

I started running fluoro leaders (20 and 25 lb) tied directly to my main line 3 seasons ago.

I spend 95% of my time chasing pike and bass, and at a couple dozen outings a year with usually 2-5 pike caught, along with some ridiculous days particularly on a handful of Canada trips, I haven't had a single bite-off. The only time I lost a fish was a 4lb or so lake trout where I forgot to retie on some new leader material after it got nicked too many times.

The key is to re-tie on a new length of line if you can feel (or even worse, see) some nicks in the line from teeth scraping.

After landing my first 48'' musky with a jointed shad rap IN the mouth, with the fluoro scraping against teeth for a decent fight on medium gear, I was sold on fluoro leaders.

[dobiel]

Just had a bite-off 2 days ago with 20lb Seaguar. I was testing out the threshold to see what the lightest line I could use. I'm going back to 30 to see what happens over the season.

[Greg Clusiau]

When ever I'm running into northerns and bite-offs, I'll use a thin-wire leader on my cranks. Never had any problems since.

[pushbutton]

I agree with the wire as well, I am simply to lazy to change up often and have had no problem catching walleye with metal, granted I usually only chase them when they are actively feeding......

[NCLaker]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Leaning towards thin wire leader. Had another pike try to deep throat another Rapala this morning. Floro leader held up okay but pretty chewed up ... I think I just got lucky.

[Comit 2]

How big of Norterns are you catching? I have had very good luck with 10-12 lb floro leaders with Northers up to 35". For one thing drag setting will have a lot to do with cut offs. If the Norther want to run and your drag is tight, say goodby to your lure. If you try using to heavy of a leader you will kill some of your lures action, not good if you want to catch fish when fishing.

[sled59]

I fished with a guide last year and he had us using florocarbon leaders for pike. Since then we have switched to floro leaders. I have caught some pretty good sized pike using them. ( 3 were 20- 21 lbs with no problems.

[chris63]

Thin surf strand steel braid comes in 10or12 lb test.Very thin with GREAT action!As far as break-offs go you are going to have to let the fish run depending on the break strength or your rig.This goes without saying,you can't just haul in a 40inch monster with 6lb walleye rig without some kind of finesse!Good luck don't fall in!c63