What's your preferred pike line?

[cjac]

Question #2 from me......

What line do you prefer for pike?

Braided lines I have become a fan of Sufix, favs being the 50 and 65lb test lines. I really like how it spools, holds less water, and I've not had any issues like some have had with Power Pro. I like the 65 for less spool dig-in while throwing heavier baits. I should say I really like the Cortland Bronzeback Masterbraid line too. I have 80 on my muskie rods and that works well too, I just like the little smaller diameter line on some reels.

When I do go to a mono line for trolling sometimes, I like the Trilene TX, kinda old-school but it works!

[wanger29]

Boy, I've been getting gutsy lately. Try and make this story short, went plugging for pike for nearly 4 hours and had only 1 follow. Was also walleye fishing that same morning, so I took a chance and sent the walleye rig in, (with a 12 lb. Vanish leader's all) and BAM got northern on a #8 huskie. Threw a bigger plug on and Bam another, back to back casts. Ended up landing 5 in the next hour. Biggest was 32 inch. Incidently on one was an Xrap head first in mouth. I know there will be times I'll regret it but since I've completely done away from steel leaders entirely, even ice fishing. My catch rates have definately improved and so far no broken line. (The time of year was mid August, high skies, and fairly clear water) Still the same I'm still taking those chances until I start losing cranks & can't afford it any longer...

I know it isn't answering your question but I just thought I'd share that w/ ya.

[b1gf1sh1]

issues with line to me means the style of the fisherman does'nt match the line. every line is great untill that line is put up against the wrong style. power pro is great if i fish deep open water or around weeds in muck. but when i fish like i fish 90% of the time it get's shredded. same with spiderwire. only reason i use original spiderwire is it works best on my 250 TE/DC. i fish alot of sand/gravel bars, humps, islands, and just out and out rocks. i'm on one side alot in shallow water casting ovr into deeper water. when a fish hits like say, a pike, it dives and as a result my line gets dragged through that sand/gravel mix and if it is'nt resistant to it it get's chewed up. the best i've found that's best for me is strens super braid in 65# for my 400TE. it just seems to stand up better. i still change over at least 3 times a year but with power pro it's alot more. suffix i tried once and i don't remember the issue but i don't like it. i think it was easily damaged but did'nt fray and made weak spots or cut easy on rocks. not sure anymore. fireline is just too stiff and digs in too easy, and snaps at the knot too easy on a short quick set, like with a finnesse bait like an eel or medium /small soft plastic. . guess it just boils down to blonde, brunette or redhead. everybody has a preference.( redheads ) mines super braid 70% of the time. think i'll try the ultra-cast this year on the 250 for the heck of it. if i hate it, it'll make nice bucktail thread huh??

[b1gf1sh1]

it's official. i don't like the invisibraid. it frays way too easy around the knot when i pulled the x-raps over rocks. original is'nt much better but it is better. since i'm using a downrigger i'm gonna put it on a line counter reel for anchor fishing the rigger. not a total waste. does'nt cast as nice as the original IMO. catches the wind too much. had the do rocket casts and i don't so much in light wind like today with original. i'll stay with the original on the 250 and super braid on the 400. good for pike or their bigger cousin.

[Fish&Fowl]

50 lb. PowerPro.

[Dan L]

I use tuff line for most of my pike fishing. Also stren super braid for husky [PoorWordUsage] and x raps.

[Steve Foss]

For all the types of pike fishing I do, I like the 65 lb. Tuffline.

[Random guy]

Suffix Braid. I use it for Pike, Musky, Sturgeon and Flatheads and it has performed well in all applications.

In fact I am even using the lighter stuff on my walleye spinning rods with good luck.

[Nick Kuhn]

I've never tried Sufix (why does everyone spell it with 2 f's?). Is there a noticeable difference between that and say Stren Superbraid or PowerPro?

[b1gf1sh1]

 Quote:

(why does everyone spell it with 2 f's?).

i don't know about them but that's how many i use when it breaks at the knot.

PP frays easy and when line frays it get weaker and it also becomes easier to see. also swells up. stren seems to stay pretty tight and frays less. IMO

[glenn57]

i troll for nords 99% of the time and i use 15# black briaded line. use it on tipups also and never no issues. my 2 bits worth.

[solbes]

I suppose I'm just lazy, but I do most of my pike fishing on my spinning Med 6'6" Walleye setup with 12lb Fireline. Sometimes I use a fluoro leader, sometimes not.

I've only had one break off in the last 4 years. Admittedly it was a larger fish as it instantly took off with the drag.

[Neighbor_guy]

DECENTER!!!

I like Iron Silk. I think I am running 25 or 30lb. I like haveng a little streach, plus it doesnt wreck the eyes the way that braid does.

[glenn57]

i havent had an issue with my braided line ruining the eyes on my rods and ive reeled in a nord or two in my day. can you explain your experence. knowledge is a good thing.

[Muddog]

It depends on what I'm throwing or if I'm trolling. 14 lb fireline is more then enough for all my trolling. The only reason I go with a higher lb test is to keep my line from breaking on the cast.

[Fred_Bear]

Yeah the last few years I've really started trolling spoons a lot and just use my walleye set up which has either 10 lb power pro or fireline on it with a 6.5 or 7' spinning rod. I actually haven't been broken off yet and we get into at least 2 over 30 everytime out. Biggest has only been 34 so no hogs but a lot in the 30-32 range.

[Neighbor_guy]

Glen

I ran braid on a MH 7' Baitcaster last year used mostly for casting for Pike. The repeditive casting and retreaving actualy cut grooves in the lead eye. Eventualy causing the line to fray and break off lures on casts and hooksets. Took me a while to figure out the problem and it got expensive.

So I pulled all of the braids from my rods. I only used fused superline on one rod now. But my Main pike rod will have Iron Silk on it from now on.

[troutmaster]

I use 6lb fireline, and have never had a break-off.