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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: ICE DOG 69 on Jan 29, 2008, 04:08 PM

Title: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: ICE DOG 69 on Jan 29, 2008, 04:08 PM
How many of you use steal leaders when you ice fish ?

I just had 17 test get bit off today .  I was fishing for Pike and tied mono straight to the treble hook and the fish was peeling line like crazy I gave it a quick snap and it didn't move, the fight lasted oh maybe 5 seconds .  No hook just my mono and it wasn't the not that broke.  I was in Big Pike water....

So I just went and bought some steal leaders,  I guess I am gonna use them , just wondering who elses uses them and if you feel you get as many bites with them ..
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: flagup#1 on Jan 29, 2008, 04:12 PM
Everyone telles me that I will get fewer bites with the steel leaders on, I don't get out fished and I never loose fish due to being bitten off.  Use the leaders and catch the monster pike that hit.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: PCB on Jan 29, 2008, 05:02 PM
I havent fished for pike all that often, but if using steel, spend the extra money and the best thin diameter leaders you can get
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: Kyle_ on Jan 29, 2008, 05:07 PM
yup, they work just as good..some people on this forum seem to think they will outfish wire but in reality they will just lose the big one like you did   :'(
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: flags21 on Jan 29, 2008, 05:47 PM
I have used steel leaders for the last 10 years and I have never been out fished with any1 using the mono leader. I think it is ABSOLUTELY rediculous to use a mono leader when you are fishing for the big toothies. I have seen so many nice fish missed because of those damn things. It shouldnt even be a question. Steel all the way, no doubt. Just as effective, and your going to miss that monster.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: yarndt52 on Jan 29, 2008, 07:48 PM
i normally use steel leaders dont have to worry about getting bit off.. and seem to catch just as many fish..
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: RANGER26 on Jan 29, 2008, 07:58 PM
 
 I use them also.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: pikeking on Jan 29, 2008, 08:06 PM
I use Terminator Titanium leaders, they don't knik up or coil. 50lb
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: miket. on Jan 29, 2008, 08:11 PM
i was told no steel leaders, just heavy mono would be fine.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: marshrat on Jan 29, 2008, 08:13 PM
i was told no steel leaders, just heavy mono would be fine.
Nope better with steel no matter how heavy mono is can get cut off
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: captain54 on Jan 29, 2008, 08:21 PM
Steel 18 to 20 inches,quick strike rig,size 8 or 6 trebles,depends on bait size. Why such a long leader? Because last year my 42.5 incher had about 2 inches of steel on the other side of her lips.Monster pike have HUGE mouths,30 pound test braided and steel,never lost a huge fish to line braking, have had a couple come unbuttoned but that's fishing.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: icewagon on Jan 29, 2008, 09:19 PM
yup, they work just as good..some people on this forum seem to think they will outfish wire but in reality they will just lose the big one like you did   :'(

Thats right
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: icy mike on Jan 30, 2008, 12:39 AM
Use a wire steel leader.  Pike's teeth not just pointy, they are sharp along the edges down to the gums.  When the mono runs along these edges- SNAP!  Now the ever-tasty walleye have pointy teeth but the tooth lacks the sharp edge so it's beneficial to use mono for walleyes.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: MuskyHunter on Jan 30, 2008, 05:37 AM
I think it depends on what you're targeting. For walleyes I use 6-8# mono....but, for the muskies or pike..steel leaders are a must! just my opinion :tipup:
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: scavengerj on Jan 30, 2008, 05:44 AM
If specifically targeting pike, I use the titanium leaders. Haven't noticed a difference in the number of bites vs. floro/mono leaders. When they are hungry, they are hungry  :)
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: pooley on Jan 30, 2008, 06:46 AM
buy good quality steel or titanium leaders. you will be happy. use less pressure if you buy light ones. ;D
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: JTFISHTEAM on Feb 05, 2008, 09:11 PM
use a steel leader many fish will wish they didnt bite!
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: Luffy on Feb 05, 2008, 09:37 PM
I had a bite off recently with a titanium leader..  best I can tell, during the battle, the fish worked the strands loose and got through them..  couldn't believe it
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: marshrat on Feb 06, 2008, 06:07 AM
I had a bite off recently with a titanium leader..  best I can tell, during the battle, the fish worked the strands loose and got through them..  couldn't believe it
How old was the leader and how many fish had you caught on it ?
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: S and K fishing on Feb 06, 2008, 07:03 AM
I fish  lake champlain a lot and I have my best luck with steel leaders that I tie  myself. They are less bulky than other kinds on the market.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: Smeltecca on Feb 06, 2008, 07:11 AM
Terminator titanium leaders, thin, flexible, and strong.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: ICE DOG 69 on Feb 06, 2008, 10:35 AM
I took everyones advise and started to use steel leaders and I caught Pike so I will continue to use them.  I am also using RED trebble hooks and 50 lb mono leader to the leader,..
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: Luffy on Feb 06, 2008, 02:39 PM
marshrat,

Put it on the beginning of the season, first week of December.  Maybe caught ten fish on it.  Never had that happen before.  It was a 20lb leader; I know the fish that was on the other end was big, but probably not a 20lber
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: Luffy on Feb 06, 2008, 02:40 PM
It was a weird thing.  I constantly check my leaders, lines, etc, and didn't notice anything amiss beforehand
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: scavengerj on Feb 06, 2008, 02:41 PM
Good thread on leaders...
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=67228.0 (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=67228.0)
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: FishinIsLife on Feb 06, 2008, 05:30 PM
Just because you have steel on don't under-estimate the weight of a monster. Had a steel leader break at the barrel swivel when i got the fish up to the hole. Monster had a girth that filled an 8 inch hole.
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: marshrat on Feb 07, 2008, 04:05 PM
They really dont make things like they used to
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: GAMBELL on Feb 07, 2008, 09:57 PM
I went back to using steel this winter.  I was using heavy floro last season with no bite offs.  I use the same wire I use on my wire dipsey rods in the summer on Lake Ontario.  It is Malin 7 strand stainless steel wire in 30lb. test.  It is super thin and strong.  You can tie knots with it. 
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: bridgedoctor on Feb 08, 2008, 11:23 AM
Why, when I was a lad back in '35, we didn't have no fancy fishin quipmemt.  We just took some bob wyar filed the end real sharp and bent it into a hook.  Titanimun for fishin is just plain foolishness!  Youd be saprized how fish are attracted to blood.  We didn't have no gloves! Yessir, bob wyar make a man of ya. 
Title: Re: Fishing with steel leaders ?
Post by: jayman64 on Feb 08, 2008, 02:57 PM
hey its the joys of fishing  :tipup:
i never use steel leaders you get less hits it dont give the minoe alot of movement.