Pike question

[finnie]

Never caught a pike but i am going to this year.  Lost one at the hole last year endd of season... i was perch fishing so i had a mono leader on my tip ups.  what is the best kind of tipup leader to use?  shoud i buy the pre made ones with the swivels or teh kind you crimp yourself.  let me know so i can order some.  thanks a lot!

[wallydiven]

I used to buy mine but at about $7 a pop I think I will make my own from now on. After doing alot of musky fishing this summer I fell in love with 100-130# florocarbon. You wont need to crimp anything if you retie before each adventure. Floro is extremly abraision resistant and that heavy of a line should last you a few fish, that is why i will be tieing my own. If your going to buy them, Stelth fishing tackle.com has the highest quality leaders on the market in my opinion. They are hand made but a little on the salty side for me. When tieing your own all you need is a little super glue on your knots and your good to go. Good luck.

[mr.clean]

Finnie there should be a lot of information on pike fishing in the Northern Pike board . (see page that lists all boards) . In general pike are not line shy ,some members will say the pound test fluorocarbon of 100-130 is overkill and you can go lighter. If you use tip ups see if quick strike rigging is legal in your area .This rigging allows you to set the hook/hooks while the pike is running with your bait. On a rod i would use a swivel to attach your line to whatever type leader you decide to use heavy mono., fluorocarbon,wire,etc.
 Steve

[knotreelly]

50# pink andes, never had a bite through (yet). check for nicks after each pike.

[Roncarr]

50# pink andes, never had a bite through (yet). check for nicks after each pike.

Good luck knot ive had 50lb floro cut like butter 

[capt.shay]

Good luck knot ive had 50lb floro cut like butter 

And I just smiled when it did 

Steel is real baby !

[IcePirate6]

I have had a few bite offs with floro, I stick with 100# mono never had an issue with that .

[finnie]

I notice that more people say 100# mono vs wire or titanium.  is the main downside of wire the cost? 

[Mr.Sodus]

sensitivity.
wire is, well, steel.

[IcePirate6]

For me it is the sensitivity but for some reason I like the illusion of clear line, maybe it still show up but something makes me personally think its hidden more. And its all about me right??

[Roncarr]

And I just smiled when it did 

Steel is real baby !

(Image removed from quote.)

Yes you did dink. wish i listened to you instead of being pissed

[MASS_pike]

I used to buy mine but at about $7 a pop I think I will make my own from now on. After doing alot of musky fishing this summer I fell in love with 100-130# florocarbon. You wont need to crimp anything if you retie before each adventure. Floro is extremly abraision resistant and that heavy of a line should last you a few fish, that is why i will be tieing my own. If your going to buy them, Stelth fishing tackle.com has the highest quality leaders on the market in my opinion. They are hand made but a little on the salty side for me. When tieing your own all you need is a little super glue on your knots and your good to go. Good luck.

Ok so the spin off question is what kind of knot do most people us when fishing with line this heavy and thick, both for hook connection and backing connection?   Super glue, sounds like a good plan too.  I generally never use line of this size but think I am giong to try some 100#heavy floro on my pike tips this winter.   The one time I saw line of this weight being used, was out on an ocean charter trip, and the mate tied some kind of knot I had never seen or tied before.  

So what do the pike pros reccommend?

[Roncarr]

Palomar knot and wet it before you tighten down its supposed to be one of a couple knots that are 100% knot strength to line weight. For pike i use 30lb blood red american fishing wire and crimp them. I got a coule decent fish with them so im sticking with it

[IcePirate6]

I use the metal clamps for putting leaders together pinch them super tight and Ive never had an issue.