Leaders and walleyes

[pikerliker]

I have a question for you guys. When you are trolling/casting cranks for walleye but are in an area where you could get either pike or walleye do you put leaders on? I love catching pike too, but I would hate to lose a nice crank bait to a big pike. My question is does a leader significantly slow or stop walleye from hitting the bait, or doesn't it matter that much?

Thanks ~piker

[dustin85]

I just caught a 7 1/2 lb 25 inch Walleye on Friday afternoon with a leader on my line. I also lost a nice northern about 5 or 6 casts before that because I did not have one on when I started fishing for the evening. Before Friday, I was wondering the same questions you are asking....I guess I learned my lesson that day.

[musky hunter]

Good question. I am certain that under dark water conditions the leader doesn't make much difference. Clear water walleyes may be finickey about. I frequently fish the St. Louis, a very dark water, and have a bottom bouncer spinner on a wire leader for the very reason you mention. It makes no difference to the walleyes.

[Schnauzer]

I do not use leaders or clips. I just like to keep things as natural as possible. I have lost a lure on occasion, but very rarely - not enough to consider adding leaders.

[riverrat56]

I never use them except when trolling or casting for northerns, I used to, but when i pulled a 37 inch northern through the hole on 4 lb line that was hooked deep in the throat, i thought well if they can swallow an ice fly and not bite me off why should i waste a chance at a walleye in the summer when the fish won't be swallowing it? So i don't use them anymore, maybe it doesnt matter, but i've only lost one crank to a fish in the last year that i think that i was broken off on that one, even though it was a northern.

[Ralph Wiggum]

It's a dump shoot. I had a nice (~32") northern on this last weekend. He ran right in front of me and I felt his teeth slice cleanly through my 20 lb PowerPro. Sucks, but what are you gonna do? It all depends how I am fishing and where. I generally don't use leaders on cranks or jerk baits. Other than that, I try to used the lighest one that will fit the bill. I don't think it matters a whole lot to the fish unless using a slow presentation.

[SlaPPy]

when i troll cranks i put on a 2 ft peace of fire-line at the end of it so if i do run into a pike i dont lose my nice spendy cranks

[jcfishr]

I was wondering if superline would significantly reduce bite offs. Make sense, thanks.