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Actually the AFW product I referred to was their 7 x 7 (49 strand) Surflon Micro Supreme. Certainly it is pricier than the 1 x 7 basic Surflon product but it is much thinner, .015", even more flexible than the 1 x 7, resists kinking/curling and is also easily tieable with conventional knots. I've also been a big user of the 1 x 7 uncoated wire which is even thinner than Ti is the same pound test (.011" for 20#). Plus is is easy to work with, no special tools necessary and dirt cheap so damaged leaders can simply be swapped out, scavenged for swivel, hook(s) or other hardware and discarded. Here's a look at the connection you can make with uncoated wire, no crimps, just twist/tied:By comparison Ti is not as flexible and, at least for me, more difficult to get a decent knot into. I only know this because it's been my actual experience in comparing leader materials. My other knock on Ti is it's reliability. One of it's properties is that it stretches, and not just a little, quite a bit. Stretchy metal, try it. It's actually kinda fun. Take a length you'd use for a leader, tie on your terminal stuff, get a good grip (use a tool on the hook end) and pull. It's like a rubber band, well sort of. The issue is every time it stretches the metal fatigues. You can see damage with steel or plastic (mono/fluoro) but not so with Ti. It just stretches over and over and over and at some point... Snap! It breaks without warning. How long does that take in a fishing situation? Can't say for sure but I'm just not willing to risk that.I know, Ti and fluoro are the latest, greatest, super sexy stuff while steel is old school and pedestrian by comparison. That's just the marketing and I tend to take all that with a grain or more of salt. This seems to be one of those topics that rages forever. Everyone has their opinions, favorites and beliefs. Seems like wire guys are on the outside a lot but that's just the way it is. I always give the latest, greatest a shot because I don't want to miss any advantage. Thing is, for the most part I usually come back to wire. I'll also not say anyone has to, I just think it's fair to make a reasonable case based on my experiences trying the different options.
I get the last laugh here ddsgt7. The wire in the pic is not single strand. It's a 1 x 7 strand uncoated wire and compared to you RIO in 20# is .005" thinner. The connection you see is what I call a "twist-tie". No crimps, no special tools though there is a very simple tool to to facilitate easier tying and makes it look neater. The basic connection is twice through the eye and simply wrap the tag up the standing line 5 - 7 times. Done. I usually heat the very end of the wire to remove the temper there so it finishes easily and neatly.That single hook is my go to for most stuff. It's a #10 so it's a good bit smaller than most guys use. I still set pretty quickly. If there's line going I'm pulling. Don't miss very many. As for Q/S rigs? Big believer for big bait. That's live over 5" and anything dead. Same uncoated wire, same connection, same hooks for live bait, #6s for deads. All hooks are wide gap, round bend short shank and 3 or 4x strong.
Actually the first pic is 20# wire and the Q/S rigs were made with 30#. Same manufacturer. The first pic was pretty close up so everything looks huge. I'm good with your comments, I was just responding to your "LOL" about the blacktip I'm not sure Wisconsin is necessarily the "Land of Giants". Most of our pike here are pretty pedestrian with fish over 30" pretty uncommon except for some waters managed for bigger fish or Green Bay. I also like good lively live bait but I also swing deads frequently. Used to be smelt, then bloater chubs now it's what ever I can get my hands on: lake herring (almost too big), big suckers that went belly up, or fun stuff I find at the Asian grocery.
In my opinion, a heavy fluoro leader is the best way to go to prevent toothy fish biting you off.
Ever have any success dying dead baits? I got some Pautze fire dye that gives extra scent as well, it's chartreuse dye, gonna try to hang some green dead chubbies
I've used color on both live and dead bait. DK's Magic Powder, food coloring, various blingy additions have all entered in at some point. The Magic Powder is easy to use and can be applied to live bait as well as dead. Pink seems to be a good color for some reason. Also the addition of some red flashabou works well with both live and dead bait, particularly if the dead is bobbing gently under a wind tipup.
