Shock leader

[20lbSloughShark]

I am having a hard time trying to figure this out. I have decided I need something to give in my tip up's tackle. I have no stretch coated line, to a no stretch fluorocarbon or steel leader. With quick strikes its not that big of a deal because it holds so well. The problem is mainly with single hooks, especially circle hooks. A pike shakes its head very violently, and every shake creates a tiny bit of slack in the line. That is when the fish spits the hook. I really want to go more with circle hooks because when fish are picky, the trebles of a quick strike scare them. That and anytime you loose concentration for 5 minutes, a fish has 2 trebles in its gut, and certain death. If anyone has a shock leader, let me know what you use. The best I can think of is either 3' of Big Game mono (stretchiest mono I've found), or something called a snubber. I have no idea what a snubber is, but from what I hear, this is what it's made for.

[BrandonJ]

I run uncoated nylon to 3-5 foot flourocarbon leader with a shank hook and rarely loose fish after theyre are hooked that is. No matter how many runs or head shakes they may have In them. Ive never been a fan of the coated stuff, uncoated stuff sucks to maintain but may give you more stretch in the length of the line vs just the leader. I cant help you with the snubber thing i thought those were the little things they sold at the gas stations for cigarette butts.

[20lbSloughShark]

I thought the same thing of snubbers, but I'm not a smoker so I just figured I was wrong. If you google them, they do exist, they just look like some rubber with two swivel ends. This is my first season with coated line, and I've lost 2 fish now. I never had an issue with dacron, its just that everyone claimed this stuff is better, and I got some free. I'm thinking after a few more trips of more issues, I'll spool with all mono, or go back to cabelas dacron.

[tolle141]

Flouro for the leader.

From my experience with muskie fishing, what rod are you using? A slightly longer rod will give a better set and pick up more slack during a fight. I'm assuming you're using a rod.

[20lbSloughShark]

I'm talking hand lining, I've never had an issue with a rod. Basically I need something in my tackle to act like a rod. That either has to be a stretchy mainline, or a shock leader. I always use a flouro or steel leader which have no stretch. It seems this coated tip up line is also no stretch. I'm thinking regular dacron might be enough, but I may go back to mono. I know people don't like it on tip ups, but it seems to me that it is one of the better lines. 30# mono has performed leaps and bounds better for me in the past than this coated tip up line has so far this season. I've lost 50% of the fish I've hooked this year, but that's only 3 catches to 3 misses so far.

[ammoman16]

Switch to Dacron and that should eliminate most of your issues. The only problem with it is that hooksets can get a little weak if there is a lot of line out. That said, if you're fishing in typical pike waters under 25' and you're not letting it run long before setting the hook, you should have no problems.

[20lbSloughShark]

I've used dacron for years, and never had an issue. It seems that's what I'm going back to. I've had pike take over 50 yards of line, and hooksets were never an issue. Without the absorption of a rod, I don't think that will ever be an issue.

[th64]

To get the 'quick strike' back in your quick strike rig I would reccomend one of those jingle bell attachments-I like the double ones on the spring. I am always distracted doing something when I'm ice fishing the bells help a lot. Put them away carefully or you will 'jigle all the way'

to the lake in your car.

[Hoffer]

I always use Dacron. I have tried to get away from the basic steel leader and try to use heavy duty flouro (which I really like...but at times have even been bitten off..) or I think my favorite now is the strands of steel leader material you can buy. They usually come in stands of like 20 feet. You can snip off 5 feet, and even though its steel you can still tie knots. Then Maybe consider using larger circle hooks. I alway buy the double 0 red gamagatzu hooks. They are the bomb. If your fishing with larger suckers or larger shiners you need a bit of a "gap" so you get a hook set and if the hook is too small you lose that gap If done right, you let the fish take the line and then once they make a second run just start pulling...not a jerk...just start pulling. When done right the hook set is in the corner of the mouth and I usually struggle with trying to get the hook out because its set SO tight!!

[20lbSloughShark]

Thats something I have not tried, letting a fish have the bait longer. I have always set the hook if its moving. I use 3/0 hooks, and I feel they are plenty big, I just don't use them on bait that is too big. I was really disapointed saturday, pike were acting more finicky than walleye! We had 11 flags and 0 fish, that is the worst that has ever happened before. 6 of those flags were of a guy who refused to use anything but a standard single hook (I gave up on those long ago) but I missed 2. One on a circle hook, one on a quickstrike. We had a lot of dropped baits, I've never had a day like that before. One I actually saw down the hole. It grabbed the bait, and just held it. I hope today is better than that, I'm used to having to hurry before they take 50 yards of line.