Question for you Musky/Pike guys

[2tall79]

Being born and raised in Western Washington, I know nothing about these species.  Several years ago the state started stocking sterile Tiger Muskies in some of our lakes in an effort to control some of the less desirable species that have appeared.  My question is...when bass fishing in lakes that hold these fish, do you routinely use wire leaders? Or just roll the dice that you won't be surprised by a toothy critter?  I would love to catch one (must release if under 50"), but I would hate to lose one along with some expensive gear.  Thanks

[Scott F]

If it's only tiger muskies that have been stocked, most likely, you will seldom run into one. Muskies typically have very low densities. Guys who target them often feel that they are lucky if they even see one in a days fishing.  If you are concerned about leaving lures in a muskies jaw, use a leader. Chances are, you'll be just fine without one.

[soflabasser]

5 hours ago, 2tall79 said:

Being born and raised in Western Washington, I know nothing about these species.  Several years ago the state started stocking sterile Tiger Muskies in some of our lakes in an effort to control some of the less desirable species that have appeared.  My question is...when bass fishing in lakes that hold these fish, do you routinely use wire leaders? Or just roll the dice that you won't be surprised by a toothy critter?  I would love to catch one (must release if under 50"), but I would hate to lose one along with some expensive gear.  Thanks

I have caught a couple muskies while on vacation up north and used a wire leader to prevent bite offs. I also use wire leader for the big barracudas I catch in South Florida since these fish also have big sharp teeth that will easily destroy most lines. Bass will still bite lures with wire leaders and I have caught some big northern strain largemouth bass as bycatch while fishing for muskies.

[everythingthatswims]

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I tend to land most musky that I hook on bass gear. Seems like all you have to do is take it easy on them, they aren't very strong for their size.

 

I've caught tons on a spinning rod with 10lb fluorocarbon leader, usually you can feel if the line is in their teeth and in that case I back my drag off even more, seems to work!

[A-Jay]

If you plan on only fishing for bass (and you're not getting a ton of muskie interest) and you can live with the occasional bite off, you may not need wire.

If there are more than 'a few' toothy dudes around and you want to increase your chances of landing a big Tiger should you hook one - then a 14 inch or so trace of wire can help with that.  

 I'm routinely fishing Toothy critter central - so AFW Surflon Micro Supreme is a routine aspect of my terminal tackle 

 Don't always get bit off when I don't use it but I never do when I do.

A-Jay

 

[slonezp]

I never use leaders. I don't think I've ever lost a crank/jerkbait to a pike or musky. Swimjigs on the other hand, I could lose 10 or more during a day of fishing depending on how aggressive the pike bite is. Why there's a difference? I have no idea. 

[Further North]

On 6/24/2018 at 6:53 PM, Scott F said:

If it's only tiger muskies that have been stocked, most likely, you will seldom run into one. Muskies typically have very low densities. Guys who target them often feel that they are lucky if they even see one in a days fishing.  If you are concerned about leaving lures in a muskies jaw, use a leader. Chances are, you'll be just fine without one.

Scott's got it.

 

In water that's got a lot of pike and musky, yeah, I run a leader on a lot of rigs.  I don't on something cheap like a Senko.

[FryDog62]

Most pike bite-offs actually happen within 1-2 inches of the lure - yet you can’t find leaders less than 6 inches and they can be very visible and at times spook bass.  I started using some custom 2 inch leaders from a local bait shop about 5 years ago and have only had one bite-off since... while landing countless bass, pike and a Muskie.  If interested send me a PM and I’ll give the info to buy these shorter leaders.  A great compromise IMO.  

[Gundog]

A local lake I fish has tiger musky stocked in it. If you are worried about losing lures and don't want to change the action of lures drastically try using 20# fluorocarbon or 65# braid. 

[Fishingintheweeds]

I've heard people swear by heavy mono or fc leaders but I'm not sure straight braid is going to do a whole lot to stop something from biting you off. I've had pike go through 50 lb braid easier than the cutters I use.