Question: For you esox junkies...

[OldBaldGuy]

I've been looking at some leftover Power Pro superbraid Alex T. gave me a couple of weeks ago, and I've got a question for you pike and/or muskie guys. The conventional fly-fishing rig for either of them calls for using a wire tippet between the tapered leader and fly, the idea being pike can't bite through the wire. Can they bite through Power Pro? It would seem to have several advantages over wire from a fly-fishing standpoint (ie, limpness, no kinks, cost, etc.).

Also, other than using a tiny ring or swivel, is there a recommended knot for joining Power Pro to mono that would keep the Power Pro from cutting through the monofilament? Overlapping uni-knots?

[Coop]

I've had a pike slice right through 15lb power pro while going after smallies... I'll add a steel leader if they're in the area.

As for tying mono to superline I use a double surgeon's knot. Easy to tie and works well.

[Hooligan]

Rog, the best way that I've found, is a Bimini. Also, Pike will terrorize the powerpro like a hot knife through butter. Go with Tyger, or another brand of Bite tippet. If you're fishing pike, and don't expect monsters Mason Hard Nylon works about as well as anything. It tends not to spook fish that are more sight oriented, as well.

[FillupD]

The Albright knot is my prefered knot for two lines with unlike diameter as braid to mono. You may want to lock the mono down with a hitch or a clinch knot when finished. When you get your knot tied, the mono will slip if you pull very, very hard. Very easy knot that works well.
This knot will work very well for attaching thin wire leaders also.

[Fish On]

Have any of you guys used those heavy floro leaders made by SPRO for pike/muskies?

[FillupD]

PowerPro - Catch The Power!
This is for small power pro to large mono but it works in reverse too. I tie small mono to power pro and only use about 6-8 wraps and it works fantastic.

[esoxjunkie]

I would try a limp steel leader if it were me. Titanium maybe?

FishOn, I tie my own Flouro leaders from 100# Vanish and use them for bucktails & crankbaits. I still use single strand wire for jerkbaits though.

Jamie

[zonas]

I have had great luck with a flouro leader (10-12 lbs test) if I know Pike are around while fishing for other species.

Zonas

[OldBaldGuy]

Got this note from Daryl:

I've been looking at some leftover Power Pro superbraid Alex T. gave me a couple of weeks ago, and I've got a question for you pike and/or muskie guys. <snip>

They will cut right through PowerPro and other "Superlines". Those lines may be non-stretch, but if you put a nick in them it is bad news.

I "guided" my fly-fishing nephew for some muskies last fall and some pike this summer. There are several flexible, relatively thin, brown-colored steel leaders on the market that work very well for presenting flies. Uncoated Sevenstrand has been one of my favorites; Surflon Micro Supreme is another thin diameter wire leader that comes in a variety of sizes and is flexible enough that you can actually tie your favorite knots with it.

I have also used fluorocarbon leaders. Now, you can use very heavy fluorocarbon, 40-, 60-pound test for example, and many hardcore muskie anglers are, but that heavy of fluorocarbon is about like wire in its flexibility. Heavy fluorocarbon is probably less visible than wire, but not much more flexible. What I sometimes do is use a lighter fluorocarbon leader if I am throwing smaller baits or if I am fishing for bass or walleyes in waters where a muskie or pike might eat my bait. I would not recommend anything lighter than 20-pound test even then, but that would fish well with most fly presentations. If you go that route, you will want to check the leader after you catch a big toothy.

As far as knots go, back-to-back Uni-Knots work for me.

Daryl B.

[Bass247]

I catch quite a few pike on the river in the Verdel/Niobrara region every year,with a few of them being in the 8-12 lb range,and this year catching my first musky from that area ever, that went close to 40 lbs.I use 10-12 lb P-Line fluoro and have only had one or two fish cut through it over the last 5 years or so.The big musky was on a Berkley bubble up tube on a 1/4 oz jighead using 10 lb fluoro,and also landed a 35 lb musky at 3-mile lake in Iowa last spring on a jignpig and 12 lb fluoro.The musky at Verdel had the bait in the roof of its mouth,and I am still amazed that it did not cut the line,and on 10 lb line(spinning rod) it took forever to get him to the boat,he was exhausted(as was I),and I took about a 20 minute break after releasing it,so if you have not tried fluoro for toothy fish,might be worth a try.