What kind of fishing line do you use for pike?
The biggest fish I've targeted was bass, so I just have 8 lb mono.
Started hooking some big pike this weekend and they were breaking my line.
I have a spinning reel.
Thanks
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What kind of fishing line do you use for pike?
The biggest fish I've targeted was bass, so I just have 8 lb mono.
Started hooking some big pike this weekend and they were breaking my line.
I have a spinning reel.
Thanks
If its still going to be used for all-round fishing 30lb or even 20lb braid would be a good. I usually use 20lb fluoro leaders on my spinning outfits. If I'm using spoons or spinners a wire leader is fine as it's not going to impact the baits action at all.
I have always used Trilene XL in 8 or 10 pound. I have used it for Pike, speckles, Catfish Bass, mackeral, Tommy Cod, Flounder, Pollock. Years ago I tried a few others but never liked them and just went back to Trilene.
I am running 17lb braid - 50lb on spinning gear for pike. I will run no less than 50lb. floro leader except for drop shotting I slim it down as most hook ups are corner of mouth.
Thanks for the replies!
Does the type of knot also affect the breaking strength?
I use steel leaders.
The knot does make a difference. Both the type and the quality of the knot. The type of line also makes a difference.
If you're talking about the knot for the braid joining it to the leader a polomar knot is easy and works very well. Wet the line before tightening it. I found that the improved clinch knot that was my standard for mono wasn't very good for braid.
I run 40lbs braid, and 50lbs fluro leaders. Have landed several 40" fish on that setup.
I run 17 lbs. mono on my bait caster and spin outfit. But always a wire leader. I've lost a few good lures as a result of a pike ripping through my line. As for knots, I use a surgeons knot for the line to wire leader connection (good old fly line knot ;) - and then a chinch knot for the lure. works fine for me. Never landed a 40+ incher … yet…. but have never had any issues with 34" pike. Hope this helps. Also if there are better ways, I'd love to hear em.
Thirty to forty pound braid, palomar knot to a swivel and lo leader. I never get bit off even with large pike. The trick is to strip off about three feet of line every time out or after your line shows signs of abrasion and re tie. Better presentation and better results in my experience. Cheers.
60lb PowerPro with a 70lb floro leader-material tied with a uni
Thanks for all the replies! I went with 50 lb PowerPro (no 40 or 30 in stock) tied to a steel leader with the Polomar knot.
How are you guys measuring the drag? I tried using a fish scale, but at 3 lbs, it looks like I'm going to break the rod.
I would have told you that 70lbs floro is too heavy - but May 24 I had one bite through 50lbs floro! Shredded it... I just shook my head... With that said, that is the only one I have broken off.Quote:
Originally Posted by bardern
I do it by feel. With braid you do want to set it lighter than you would mono or floro. With a baitcaster I really set it light since I use my thumb on the spool to set the hook and control hard runs. Does the drag stick? Could be some worn drag washers?Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximus44
same experience lol. I find it is the bloody hammer handles that bite off more than the big girls. I also found out that there is a difference in composition between floro line and floro leader material.Quote:
Originally Posted by LeakyBoots
Drag doesn't seem to be sticking. It works when I have it set really light.
Don't think it would be worn out either. Always had it cranked up tight. Biggest fish I used to catch were bass, so never had issues with breaking a line.
I'm a feel man too. Now, granted, I'm using lighter line than a lot of guys suggest here - but I've never had one break. Just an even pull on the line to find the sweet spot is all I do.
Totally agree with that statement very differentQuote:
Originally Posted by bardern
I like to keep the drag tight for fishing and for the hookset and then loosen as needed.
Why bother with a flouro leader if you are using a steel or wire leader?
I believe that they are referring to using heavy fluorocarbon instead of steel.
40lb braid with a 3' lead of 60lb flouro. I use a barrel swivel to connect the two. The weak link in my setup is the snap swivel at the end
15lb fluorocarbon http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...f2432e0ebe.jpg
Canadian Tire has Power Pro on sale....$15.99.
Pretty tough to go wrong with 50lb on baitcasters for all around use.
I highly recommend considering a braided line in the 20-30lb range when fishing for pike. It is much more abrasion resistant if you're fishing around structure and with little to no stretch it allows for solid hooksets in those tough mouths. Depending on your lure selection, you can use either flouro or steel leaders as well but I would suggest a swivel to lessen the line kinks. Knots are more important than you would expect. The makeup of a knot will determine the amount of stress you can put on it before it breaks. If you are attaching a swivel or steel leader directly to the braid, then a clinch or palomar know would be good ones to try. As for attaching flouro to braid, practice the double uni knot as it is the strongest, yet yields the least amount of stress on the line. Tight lines!
Cheers Becky
65lb braid on my dedicated pike road with an 80lb flouro leader. Change the leader when it's nicked and haven't had a bite-off (including a few muskies that have been caught on it accidentally). I tend to throw bigger baits so wanted a heavier setup.