pike resistant leaders

[backlash 1]

Starting to use more crankbaits while trolling for walleyes, but am getting tired of losing some to pike bite offs.

Am thinking about fine wire leader, or maybe 20# flouro leader, but is that going to make the walleyes shy?

What do you guys use?

[delmuts]

Definitely flouro! With the light refraction about the same as water, and it is a slightly smaller dia. than mono in the same poundage i don't think you will see much of a difference. Get a spool of flouro leader and tie your own.

[TruthWalleyes]

10# flouro should be plenty. Much better abrasion resistance than any braid.

[mainbutter]

I don't target walleyes but I got a bonus one when I was casting a rapala around for pike and bass in the evening. I was using 20 or 25lb fluoro leader. It's not 100% pike-proof, but I've had more failures with steel leaders. I don't know how much downgrading you can do in line diameter before it stops working well against teeth, but 10-12lb is certainly worth a try.

[backlash 1]

I have been using 8# floro but the pike will snip that off no prob. Lost a #4 hornet Sunday, all I felt was a tick. Just not sure how heavy I can go without turning away the walleyes.

[FM_Mike]

If your trolling I really don't think that the walleye's are worried about what kind or how thick your leader is. They are chasing the bait not the leader. Too much credit is given to the walleye when it comes to a leader. If it does not effect the action of the bait it will not be an issue. You may not want to use an anchor chain for a leader, but I have used nylon, steel and titanium leaders for years to avoid bite offs. The best thing I have used is 20lb Fireline small diameter, no leader needed and very very few bite offs. This is for trolling only. Other apps. may require a different technique.

Mike

[solbes]

15# Berkly 100% Fluoro makes for a great leader material. Thick enough to RARELY lose a crankbait, and not so think that walleyes can see it.