I've been using wire leaders for pike, but I think I want to try mono so I have a better chance of catching a few bass while I'm pike fishing . . .
So . . . any recommendations for brand and pound test? Can I use the 40 lb Maxima Chameleon I use for salmon leaders or do I need to go out and buy something different?
We had a lengthy discussion on pike leaders a few months ago....check for a thread titled "Pike leaders" or something to that effect right here in the warmwater section...it was about 3 pages long.
FWIW, a friend and I used 50lb Seagaur fluoro on a recent trip and put it through the paces with all sizes of fish, and we knocked off about a dozen good sized smallies with the same shock tippet. It seemed to be pretty universal and nearly invisible in the water. If you get a chance, check out the Ontario fishing report I started about a month ago right here in the warmwater section.
Regardless of your choice for leader material, good luck and let us know how it works for you.
Just went back and read the past posts . . . very helpful. Just one question, is it important to use fluorocarbon or will other types of monofilament (like Maxima or Mason) work just as well in 50 lb test?
You can use mono in 50 pound test, but it won't be as abrasion resistant or inconspicuous in the water as fluoro of the same pound test. This isn't just personal opinion....it's physical properties of the materials.
Just got back from an outing in the northern most area of Wisconsin and attempted several leader materials for pike. I found the seagar 40 lb worked pretty well and it turned over the very heavy wind resistant flies OK. No bite offs but after some fish you had to cut off the end and re-tie if you were prudent. I was very disappointed in some specialty tapered leaders for bass flies. They just wouldn't do it for the larger very wet flies that we were throwing.
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