Leader For Stopping Bite Offs From Pike?

[5150bass]

I live in Canada and fish for smallmouth bass where there are some Northern Pike. Other than a steel wire leader what would you reccomend for a leader to prevent bite offs? I will only be using this for crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits not jigs.

What would you reccomend?

Thanks in advance.

[J Francho]

Cortland Toothy Critter in 10-20# direct tie to hooks.

Any 20# Titanium Leader for plugs.

[NebraskaBasser]

I've heard that a "heavy" fluorocarbon leader works great for that purpose... but I don't know HOW HEAVY you'd have to go. At least the fluorocarbon would be less visible than a wire leader...

Bob

[J Francho]

60 to 100# works for the 10-15 lb. class fish I catch. It MUST be saltwater leader material, though. It's quite a bit more expensive than the options listed above.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

60 to 100# works for the 10-15 lb. class fish I catch. It MUST be saltwater leader material, though. It's quite a bit more expensive than the options listed above.

More expensive as well as harder to tie. Take your time when tying knots with it. Make sure whatever knot you tie seats perfectly.

I LOVE using heavier fluoro leaders when I'm out on my salt boat. Completely changed the way I'm able to deep drop for grouper on wrecks.

[J Francho]

Two words when dealing with big leaders: metal crimps.

[tomustang]

Is the diameter listed on the package or is it a guess?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

No doubt about it. Though I try not to use them unless I'm going very heavy. For some reason crimps seem to be a target for critters like cuda and kings. Most guys I know try as hard as possible to not use crimps on the reefs. If I'm trolling offshore though, you bet I'm crimping heavy leaders.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Is the diameter listed on the package or is it a guess?

I believe so. Don't quote me on it though, I don't have any sitting in front of me at the moment.

[J Francho]

No doubt about it. Though I try not to use them unless I'm going very heavy. For some reason crimps seem to be a target for critters like cuda and kings. Most guys I know try as hard as possible to not use crimps on the reefs. If I'm trolling offshore though, you bet I'm crimping heavy leaders.

I can see it being an issue on the reefs. In the deep, dark world of the toothy critter, it's another story.

I seldom recommend heavy fluoro anymore, since the tieable Cortland product works so well, and is easier to use.

[tomustang]

Worth checking out then, I need something for ultralight and the smallest steel leader I'm using is either 12 or 14 lb, I'd like to get smaller

[Hooligan]

Francho's nailed it. Any of the "Knot tying stainless wire" materials are where it's at. I've actually found that I like Tyger Leader better than the Cortland for it. No real particular reason, just a preference thing.

[Marty]

I've always used packaged metal leaders and never felt that they were a deterrent to bites, but a tie-able leader sounds good. Just my own personal view, but I wouldn't trust any filament to thwart pike.

[.ghoti.]

I like Tyger Wire leader for fish with teeth. Never tried the Cortland version, but any of the tie-able wire leaders should work nicely.

Had a Minnesota guy tell me to use flouro. It does not work, though I've never tried 65-100lb test, and in all likelihood, never will.

Had a Canadian tell me to use braid. It does not work.

Wire does work. I use 30lb Tyger Wire for all my muskie baits. All baits have about two feet of Tyger Wire tied to the bait with a swivel tied on the other end. When it's time to change baits I cut the braid off at the swivel and tie on a different bait. The wire and swivel stay attached to the baits.

[J Francho]

I've always used packaged metal leaders and never felt that they were a deterrent to bites, but a tie-able leader sounds good.

You can tie up Texas rigs with the knotable leaders - something you cannot do with premade leaders.

[BradH]

I live in Canada and fish for smallmouth bass where there are some Northern Pike. Other than a steel wire leader what would you reccomend for a leader to prevent bite offs? I will only be using this for crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits not jigs.

What would you reccomend?

Thanks in advance.

I fish under similar conditions for smallmouth. I have used 30 to 100 pound fluorocarbon leader material for pike fishing with large baits but it will kill the action on your smallmouth sized baits. Same goes for those store bought el cheapo steel leaders, especially with jerkbaits. Right now I use 12 to 20 pound fluorocarbon as a leader. We have literally caught hundreds of pike here this winter alone, some well over ten pounds, and have yet to get bit off. If targeting pike I would use something else but if you are smallmouth fishing that's how I do it. I do check the leader often and cut off or tie on a new one as needed. I do have some of the Tyger Wire, just have not tried it yet. YMMV.

[Jacob34]

I'll also vouch for the Cortland toothy critter. I was up at coeur d' alene lake last year fishing in a tournament. I lost like five or so baits before my boating partner gave me some Cortland toothy critter. I didn't loose anything after that.

[NBR]

I just take my chances. Best we've done was a 16# and a 14# on 8# mono when fishing for smallies or walleyes. You must check your line for nicks before you cast again. I rarely get bit off.

[Scorcher214]

6" black steel leader works fine for me.

[Sherlock 60]

PIck up some 80# fluorcarbon leaders from any tackle shop in the area where you fish. They are also available at BassPro, Gander Mtn, Thorne Brothers Tackle and Rollie and Helen's Muskie Shop online.

Muskie anglers use 80# to 130# test fluro leaders and I expect 80# would be fine for pike. Line that heavy may interfere with the action of a smallmouth lure, though.

[A-Jay]

Consider American Fishing wire's Surflon Micro Supreme - Ties very easily and has a thin diameter for it's rated strength. Comes in a mello Camo color that I prefer.

Some of the lakes I fish, the bass / pike ratio is 50/50 so depending on the time of year and technique, bite offs are a reality. Last season I was losing jigs on deep grass lines every trip.

Finally broke down and started to use this and that put an end to the lost baits.

Where Pike are prevalent, I use it for just about every method including, Frogs, spinnerbaits, Texas rigged Anything, Carolina rigs, lipless baits if ripping through weeds and as mentioned jigs.

My largest pike the past two seasons came on jigs fished deep for bass in timber. Both inhaled the little 1/2 jig and without the wire I may not have landed then.

I use the 20 and 26lb stuff and don't believe that it keeps bass off at all. I'm still getting all the bass bites I was without the wire, I'm just not feeding baits to the pike anymore.

It's a little pricey but it's cheaper than replacing baits all day.

Good Luck

A-Jay

http://www.americanfishingwire.com/smsupreme.asp