CCMD Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Have 2 trips scheduled to do my first-ever pike fishing in Ocotber. Bringing 2 swimbait rods and set ups to throw 175s, TTs and a host of other swimbaits at pike all day. Any recs on leader material? Anybody feel good about throwing big (and expensive) baits at pike with just a 25lb fluoro leader? Looked into the nylon-coated wire as well. Just wondering what more experienced guys who chase musky and pike with swimbaits feel comfortable with. Generally speaking, I like fluoro a lot for subsurface baits, but I'm not sure I feel all warm and fuzzy about subjecting fluoro to a pike's teeth with a $50+ bait on the other end, even if it is a hard bait with trebles. Any thoughts are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iay Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Younger Muskies and Pikes (teeth haven't dulled yet) will chew threw 25 fluoro like its nothing. Step it up to 80 to 100 and you are good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitmonkey Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 I lived in N.D & MN for years and only used braid. They don't seem to care I used Samurai braid #30 for 10 years and a black 8in 7 strand black wire leader and never lost a fish. I recommend bringing some 1oz. spinnerbaits with a big Colorado blade and 1 or 2 Musky Mayhem cowgirls for a night. You can get them at Cabelas. Unless you plan on pulling tree stumps I find 80-100 complete overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gradycodd Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Don't tie to braid, they will cut straight through 80# plus braid. 80-100 pound fluorocarbon has been my go to for years, always will be. You can go the wire route as well, but Im usually in clear water where I take every advantage I can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCMD Posted September 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Appreciate the insight. I will be fishing very clear water as well, so fluoro may be the way to go. Anyone have experience with pike being particularly leader-shy with wire? The lakes I'll be fishing have 10+ foot visibility in most spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boondock Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Do a search Has been covered Expensive baits 60lb works great. Not all brands are equal Some bait won't swim well on 60 let alone 80-100 Here are Colorado the bigger like seem line shy IMO. My fav is rio power flex I think it's called. Only $9 a spool, more clear than most floruo and way harder than anything I've used. Have caught over 100 tiger Muskie on it too with no issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetoxicjon Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 My buddy fishes pike everyday and say he just uses 60#flouro and adds a big swivel and clasp to his lure just in case they bite the line but when he gets bites they usually don't get the whole bait in there mouth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetoxicjon Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 Here is a pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ospreynn Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 I use 80 lb fluoro leader when fishing tigers, or a steel leader. Stealth tackle has some of the best on the market... They will cut through 65 lb braid like butter!!!.....That being said, I will never throw my deps to those toothy critter... they will turn the soft skin to shreds. Savage gear soft 4play are good, inexpensive baits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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