I like to pike fish in the spring... I've been using 20# steel leaders on my husky jerks and such... but hate that these leaders take a lot of the action away from a bait... and they make a floating or suspending bait sink.

I have a 25# spool of Bass Pro Shops XPS Florocarbon that I was thinking of using for leaders this spring.  Will this work or will I simply be feeding my husky jerks, spinnerbaits, and x-raps to the Esox???

Mike

. . . Mike from Grand Rapids, MI

I recently came across a new leader type.  It is tieable and very strong.  The name is Tygar and comes in many sizes.  All the way from 2# to 50#.  I have not tried it yet due to the hard water conditions.  From what I have seen it should work quite well.  Your flurocarbon may be ok, but I don't really know.  I would question it for Esox and those teeth they have.  Hope this helps.

What's up, Waterfoul?

 

I use clear 25 lb. & 50 lb. test Trilene Big Game, especially in clear water (I'm firmly convinced that steel leaders spook muskies & the bigger pike in clear water), so I see no reason why the 25 lb. fluoro wouldn't work.  Let us know how you do out there with it.

 

P.S.: sweeeeeeeet bucketmouth, there!

Keep the line fresh, the hooks sharp, and have fun fishing. God bless you. -Sonny, Life Member since 2002

Sometimes I use steel leader (35#), 12" and sometimes I use 40#, 18" florocarbon leader material (I have never had a tear-off).  I have just receintly purchased some 30#, 6" and 50#, 9" titanium leaders.  It is recommended that an 18" metal leader is best.  Understand, this leader material I use when trolling.  I have caught many pike on 6# florocarbon line with a jig, with the biggest being in the 27" category (no bite offs).  At this point I am not sure how I will rig when I start cranking for them!  Although I will say my first ever was a 24"er, 10# test line, using a DT16 and no leader (I was bass fishing with nvrenuf & Angry Bob).  Let me know what you decide to use and how you make out.  I'll do the same and perhaps together we'll come up with a good combination!
LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

Well, I found some Cortland Toothy Critter tie-able leader material today... so I tied up 3 leaders using barrel swivels and cross lock snaps.  Walked across the street to the pond with my spinnerbait rod and on the 3rd cast one of my knots let go and the spinnerbait went out of sight!!!  Damn.  I'm not giving up on this yet though.

Anyone know where I can get some heavier floro line?  Prefer a leader sized spool as I'm sure a full spool will be very expensive.  I'd like to get some in 40 lb or there abouts.

Mike

. . . Mike from Grand Rapids, MI

Waterfowl you can get fluorocarbon leader spools from Cabela's it comes in 2 lb to 80 lb test and it sells for 7.99 to 22.99.

I use a combination of differant leaders. I know some people who never use any leaders for pike or muskie and wouldn't do anything differant..  I have caught them without a leader. But  I have lost several with and without leaders. I had a pike in the 30" class break the snap on 20 lb steel leader. The pike above broke a 45 lb titanium leader as I netted it. I have not used any fluorocarbon leaders for pike or muskie so I can't tell you how they will work. If you decide not to use a steel leader each hit or fish you catch check your line or fluorocarbon leader for nicks. I would rather have a little over kill then to lose the fish of a life time.

 

Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/wellsleyny/NAFC_Life_Member1.jpg

I have use 40 lb fluorocarbon as a leader for a few years and never lost a fish yet. Just re-tie often, and check for nicks in the leader after each catch and if fishing heavy cover. Replace as needed when nicks are found. Better to use up line then lose a trophy.

It's not only the strength you need to worry about, but also how easy can the pike cut the leader. And it's not only their teeth. Often times a pike will roll once he knows he's hooked and wrap the leader into his sharp gill plates. Smart little suckers they are.

I use a 12" steel leader for pike and titanium for muskies.

Be Fishers of People. You catch, He Cleans. Life Member since 2/17/92 One of the "Illinoiz Boyz" "When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power, The World Will Know Peace" - Jimi Hendrix "War without end, random murders, missing wives, child abuse and continuing corruption do not shake my faith in a Higher Power...... they unsettle my faith in mankind."

 

You are so right thats what broke the 45lb leader on the pike pictured above. When I netted it it rolled and just like that the 45lb titiamiun leader was history.

I don't know how the fluorocarbon holds up to the barrel roll. My guess is not well if the titiamuin doesn't. Those big pike and muskie are incrediblely strong. Since I mostly catch and release I try not to where the fish out to the point that they die. That fish above took 20 minutes to revive to where I felt comfortable  it was going to survive.

Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/wellsleyny/NAFC_Life_Member1.jpg

I normally use either a 20# steel leader or a 45# titanium, depending on the situation.  From my experience, I would never chance using a floro leader, just because of the fact that if its not the teeth that cut the leader, it will be the gill rakers.  If you want to up your chances of actually landing the fish, be safe, use steel or titanum.
Natashia NAFC Life Member....... Fishing Queen

  I have used the Cortland Toothy Critter tie-able leader material. I prefer to use it without the swivels and snaps. Just tie it to the line and then tie it to the lure like you would any other. I originaly bought it to use with my fly rod for pike, but until I get a new reel and heavier rod I will just us it with my spinner.

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers "There is no use in your walking five miles to fish when you can depend on being just as unsuccessful near home" -- Mark Twain

Last year I discovered a new leader-'Terminator', I buy the 12"(30lb or 50lb). Its a little expensive at $10.00 a piece but I used 1(yes one) for the whole time on a 2 week trip to Canda in spring. It lasted through around 14 trophys and 40-50 slots.

I am mostly using steel leaders or floro leader material. I use to have a 30# titanium leader but it was tore-off by a toothy critter! I don't know what to tell ya about the floro leader material...It has been used by saltwater fishermen long before the freshwater folks discovered it! Simple rules = check it often for nicks! And don't for a minute think you will get the same performance from floro line because they are NOT the same!

Used to use steel,then changed to mono and now I use 60 or 80 lb. flourocarbon and will not go back to the others. I have not had a bite or break off since changeing to flouro.One recommendation that is very important when useing flouro leaders.after every snag and fish check leader for nicks and retie when needed.

You could try this knot >

then use a  double uni  or a Al bright special to attach to main line Albright Special

Has anyone tried the Knot too Kinky leader material? I have yet to hear a report or even see it in a store.

Thanks for the link and tying diagram, Trev!   I needed to see that...  I've never had a bite-off or break with a florocarbon leader material.  Not in saltwater or fresh water!

Posted By Pegsguy on 07 Apr 2012 07:55 AM
Has anyone tried the Knot too Kinky leader material? I have yet to hear a report or even see it in a store.

I've been using the knot 2 kinky for probably a year now and love it.  I used to use the terminator titanium wire but like this new stuff much better.  I find it thinner, more flexible which makes it easier to tie knots to any terminal tackle.  The albright knot works great for attaching the leader directly to braid.  I've used the k2k in 25# and haven't had a single breakoff.  In fact, on one of my baitcasters that I use when fishing for bass in waters that also have pike, I've had the same leader on it for about 9 months now and never had a single breakoff.  Also, the thin diameter hasn't really spooked bass to the point that I've noticed a decline in my catch rate.

Thanks, Rooger. That kind of answer is exactly what I was looking for. Having been out of work, I try to avoid wasting money these days!