How do you deal with the problem of bite offs? I'll be heading up to Quetico this year and Pike will certainly be waiting for me and my tackle. The more I look into leaders the more confusing it gets. Steel, titanium, fluorocarbon, coated (like Surflon Micro Supreme) or nothing at all. When I'm fishing plastics its no big deal to lose the bait but with more expensive topwaters, jerks and cranks, well at $15 plus a pop I'd like to keep my lures on the line if possible. Any of you found a product that you're satisfied with, that doesn't compromise the action or the retrieve of your lures too much, doesn't spook the bass too much and resists bite offs? What about Surflon? It's expensive. Have any of you used it?
Fishing for Bass in Pike infested waters
- Thread starter Dr. G
- Start date
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reefrunner
Well-Known Member
Dr G.,
I fish primarily in pike infested waters so I've encountered this before when targeting bass. My rods are spooled with power pro braided line for the sensitvity and good hook sets. That said, because the incidental hammerhandle might find my crankbait attractive, I usually tie on a 3 foot flourocarbon leader. I tie my own leaders using spro sanps and swivels, seagur flourocarbon. I'm sure there are many good retail flourocarbon leaders out there.
There are certain bass presentations that using a short leader with all the hardware won't do, like topwaters and plastics. For those presentations I like to tie maybe a 12-15 foot flourocarbon lead. Use a uni-uni knot, make sure the diameter of the flouorcarbon lead is the same as your base line, moisten the knot well. Again, I'm a fan of the seagur brand.
For the uni-uni knot...
http://www.animatedknots.com
reefrunner
I fish primarily in pike infested waters so I've encountered this before when targeting bass. My rods are spooled with power pro braided line for the sensitvity and good hook sets. That said, because the incidental hammerhandle might find my crankbait attractive, I usually tie on a 3 foot flourocarbon leader. I tie my own leaders using spro sanps and swivels, seagur flourocarbon. I'm sure there are many good retail flourocarbon leaders out there.
There are certain bass presentations that using a short leader with all the hardware won't do, like topwaters and plastics. For those presentations I like to tie maybe a 12-15 foot flourocarbon lead. Use a uni-uni knot, make sure the diameter of the flouorcarbon lead is the same as your base line, moisten the knot well. Again, I'm a fan of the seagur brand.
For the uni-uni knot...
http://www.animatedknots.com
reefrunner
reefrunner
Well-Known Member
I base my flouro leads on the diameter of the braid I'm using. This is important when tying the two lines together; if one line diameter is larger than the other the knot does not hold all that well.
Generally, because I fish alot of heavy cover for bass, I use 20pound powerpro. I do not have the box with me and I can't seem to find the diameter of the line on the website. The diameter of the line is indicated on the box. Accordingly, I buy my seagur flourocarbon in a test that the diameter is equal to that of my braid. I think, but I may be wrong as I can't verify at the moment, it is 8pound test flouro.
Some guys I fish with spool up with flouro only, another option you may consider. But I find with the sensitivity of the braid and the low friction of the line I can detect more subtle strikes and cast farther with better accuracy. These elements, i believe, put more bass in the boat.
Reefrunner
Generally, because I fish alot of heavy cover for bass, I use 20pound powerpro. I do not have the box with me and I can't seem to find the diameter of the line on the website. The diameter of the line is indicated on the box. Accordingly, I buy my seagur flourocarbon in a test that the diameter is equal to that of my braid. I think, but I may be wrong as I can't verify at the moment, it is 8pound test flouro.
Some guys I fish with spool up with flouro only, another option you may consider. But I find with the sensitivity of the braid and the low friction of the line I can detect more subtle strikes and cast farther with better accuracy. These elements, i believe, put more bass in the boat.
Reefrunner
reefrunner
Well-Known Member
Nope, I meant 8pound. No worries, it's tough stuff. I've fought many a toothy headshaker with just braid, it's do-able. But braid will snap when there is resistance + abrasion. Flouro is very abrasion resistant. Heck, I can go a whole season on a single leader. The braid will be heavier than the flouro, the most important part is the connection; a good knot.
