wire leaders

[remyboy1]

bought some rio toothy critter bronze (ones without clip) forpie, muskey bass etc..-has anyone used one of these and if so how do you tie your streamers, poppers and flies in general to these leaders--they are 8 bucks a piece so a direct tie is not a good idea--however if they were meant to have tippet tied to them then why are they bite proof considering with a tippet this leader would never get near the fishes mouth...experienced input would be great.

 

[Cody309]

I used a nylon coated stainless steel wire/thread tied right to my flies for the pike I've caught. Only issues are:
a) the price
b) it tangles easily
c) tends to coil after catching fish

It became such a pain in the ass, that I started using regular steel leaders - casting a pike and muskie fly is usually ugly anyway, as it's like casting a wet sock, so the small amount of added weight of the leader didn't effect me negatively.

Have also landed pike with no issue with just a regular setup with no steel, but I got lucky with the hook set and the fight with the fish, so no break offs

 

[remyboy1]

i was thinking the same thing--most pike wont bite through 40 lb mono--stuffs like rope...

but i will certainly use short pike leaders--my point is why the hell do they make wire leaders when you add tippet anyway..might as well use a normal leader and add wire...the leader will never get bit..

 

[Cody309]

Yea I agree that would defeat the purpose... that being said, I've used 12-14" leaders before when spin fishing for pike in Northern Quebec, and the line was still chewed through.. I couldn't believe it!

I think what tends to happen, even if you have a hook set in the outer lip, is that when the fish is fighting, the line crosses back across the fishes face, and if you've seen how pike fight, they tend to open their mouth a fair bit to try and spit the hook... maybe the line comes into contact with their teeth that way? Either way, I was amazed when I had my long steel leaders broke off... couldn't quite explain that lol

 

[Cody309]

Just doing a quick google search, it sounds like the gill plate can also be a factor.. because pike thrash and roll, this could cut the line, which may explain some of my scenarios with a 14" leader being chewed away

 

[Christopheraaron]

Just curious, but why are you using a steel leader for bass? LOL

 

[fishermandan420]

Id put a clip on them

 

[remyboy1]

cause where there is bass there ispike--and if a pike takes my bass popper that i have ties i wil lose my mind lol

 

[remyboy1]

i wanna try a clip but i ma having some emotional issues with using a swivel on the fly--personal stuff i ave to work through lolHAHA

 

[remyboy1]

K anything stillwater that isny SMB/panfish territory exclusively has a wire involved in some form.

 

[fishermandan420]

Buy ones with the clip. You will feel Better knowing they are for fly fishing. Plus buying more stuff is awesome

 

[nimac]

are u tying your own popper ?

 

[Christopheraaron]

cause where there is bass there ispike--and if a pike takes my bass popper that i have ties i wil lose my mind lol

Use 15lb mono, they won't get though it.

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

Just braid 20lb mono. and tie on. They will never get through that ;-)

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

Sorry. I meant to say "french braid".

 

[[email protected]]

nice post, was something i was looking into for when ever the ice melts

 

[remyboy1]

are u tying your own popper ?

ya i tie them like the ones in the pics--tying most of the flies i use now.

 

[nimac]

one of the easy way and best way is to tie them on a shank or a tube and use baided line for your hook
here is some idea as well
i buy my tube material frome this web site they are great and fast or any where else that u know
by the way nice popper well done
cheers and good luck to u
http://www.canadiantubeflies.com/