how do you attach lure to line?

[BF]

do you tie on directly? use swivel? use a steel leader? use a line leader?

Watching fishin' shows, they always seem to tie them on directly to the line. In these parts, doesn't matter what you're trying to catch, the chances of getting a northern pike are always high. A lure tied directly on to the line does not stand much chance of staying in your possession long. (pike teeth would cut that pronto).... therefore, I think in these parts, the vast majority of anglers use a steel leader. It has a swivel at the line end, and a snap connector at the lure end to allow for a fast change of lures (just as a snap swivel would). I realize that having a steel leader can greatly diminish the action of the lure, but I live with that. I remember once tying on a $5 rappala directly to my mono to see if the action was better. The first little pike took my new hook away. When I'm fishin' smallies, it is 50/50 at best whether it'll be a pike that bites.

I suspect whether you use a leader or not is a difference between folks from around here, and folks from down south.

Just curious whether leaders are 'standard' in other places(?)

 

[rdny041285]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

walleye also have good sized teeth and i always used 4 or 6 lb test in oneida lake...no leader or anything. down here in Florida my cousin wont use anything without at least 80 lb leader or steel leader....and i still dont use leader even when i catch kingfish because they are mostly tail biters...i take plenty of action and chancing it rather than thick line with less action and not worrying about losing what might bite... i catch more than my cousin and dont lose anything from it biting through the line...i use 25 lb test in the ocean.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

Here in Minnesota (we could be called New Canada) it's about the same. On my northern pike setup I use a steel leader with a heavier line test. Those usually have snap swivels on the end. My pike lures such as rooster tails and spinners don't require flexibility in the line connection the way a rapalla lure does.

When dragging artificial lures for walleye I tie directly to the 6# test line using a Rapalla knot because you get better action. Walleye don't generally bite through line the way a northern or muskie will do.

For bass I typically just use a heavier line such as 8# or 10# test and a swivel.

Panfish and crappies get 4# test line and no swivels, just a hook tied to the line.

 

[JB]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

I pretty much do as Capt. Caveman does, except that I no longer use steel leaders. I use titanium: lighter, does not kink.

I always use a small swivel with a coastal snap for large lures and a flyrod snap for small ones.

Whenever I need a knot for a lure or a splice I always use the uniknot. Never had one fail.

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

I've always used a PALOMAR KNOT. Easy to do and i haven't had any problems. I also always use a snap swivel. It seemed to make a difference for me on a open face reel as far as line wrap up is concerned. i change lures quite a bit and the snap is just more suited for me.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

I use a Palomar knot to tie on lures, can be a pain with multiple treble hooks. Usually with no type of swivel. I like to use an oval shaped ring on a walk the dog style top water bait. When fishing for bass with soft plastics I use a fluorocarbon leader. I have found while bass fishing in pike infested waters the fluro holds up to the pike a bit better than mono. I even use fluro leader on my pike set up and I hook up fairly well with it. I find that the pike seem to see a steel leader at times.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

Why don't you just you braided line? 30-50lbs test braid would do just fine and is a heck of a lot limper then steel. I have caught a pike that completely trashed, all twisted up, can't be reuse TITANIUM spinnerbait, but the 14lbs fluoro held up.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

I take no chances when i fish the gator. All it takes is one rake of the razor teeth on these critters and all is gone. I lost a 50 plus once cause someone told me a certain braided line is like a steel leader. That person by the bty has not been in my boat since. The bigger the fin the bigger the bite up on the lure

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

Well, I fish for northern pike a lot, and catch a lot of other species, too. I use a short, 6", plastic coated steel leader with swivel one end and snap on the other.

You'd think it would scare off bass and walleye and some others, but it doesn't. With the snap, all my lures seem to show good action, and I use a big range of baits.

Here in Minnesota, where there are bass or walleye, there are Northerns. I can't afford to lose Rapalas.

 

[BF]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

Well, I fish for northern pike a lot, and catch a lot of other species, too. I use a short, 6", plastic coated steel leader with swivel one end and snap on the other.

You'd think it would scare off bass and walleye and some others, but it doesn't. With the snap, all my lures seem to show good action, and I use a big range of baits.

Here in Minnesota, where there are bass or walleye, there are Northerns. I can't afford to lose Rapalas.

That's my sentiments exactly... I have occassionally tied a jig on directly for walleye, but if I'm using a spinner crawler harness, I just snap it on the leader, and put the line weight on the leader.... BTW, that's another big difference between locals here, and American's... You use rapala's a lot more than we do... I good ole 5 of diamonds or red devil spoon is by far the most popular lure here. Probably because we're so cheap.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

In georgia I tie on to monofilament... hardly any fish with teeth. When I fish on the coast, I usually use a braided leader with a swivel or a steel leader.... Just depends on what Im catching.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

You canny Canadians, eh? The only walleyes I catch are ones hanging out in the weeds where I'm fishing for Northerns and bass. Since I don't eat them, and since they aren't much in the fighting category, I'd rather let them be, but sometimes they insist on eating my bait.

I do use red/white Daredevls from time to time for pike, but the walleyes bite them, too.

This morning, I ventured up to my favorite lake and was casting a chartreuse spinnerbait in and along a large field of lily pads. Caught and released several small (24") northerns, a bunch of largemouths between a pound or two, and one 18" walleye. What the heck was it doing attacking a big old spinnerbait, anyhow?

Most of the boats were drowning worms and minnows in about 12 feet of water and not catching a darned thing. Boring.

 

[BF]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

You canny Canadians, eh? The only walleyes I catch are ones hanging out in the weeds where I'm fishing for Northerns and bass. Since I don't eat them, and since they aren't much in the fighting category, I'd rather let them be, but sometimes they insist on eating my bait.

I do use red/white Daredevls from time to time for pike, but the walleyes bite them, too.

This morning, I ventured up to my favorite lake and was casting a chartreuse spinnerbait in and along a large field of lily pads. Caught and released several small (24") northerns, a bunch of largemouths between a pound or two, and one 18" walleye. What the heck was it doing attacking a big old spinnerbait, anyhow?

Most of the boats were drowning worms and minnows in about 12 feet of water and not catching a darned thing. Boring.

lol... yes, I fish that way about 95% of the time. I find bouncing things around in the middle of the lake gets old after about an hour.... there's only so many ways to drown a worm. Hunting smallies and pike near shore... much more fun IMHO. Yes, you can tell it's a walleye when it fights like a shoe.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

Northerns and bass always seem so willing to play, too.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

Ive used a small swivel for years fishing for Bass/Pickerel/Panfish/Brown Trout, since the waters I fish are predominantly stained I get along pretty well. Even in gin clear lakes I havent been badly outfished by someone tying directly to the lure, so I stick with the swivel.

If Im fishing for Pike, I use a steel or titanium leader. Mostly ice fishing though.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

When bass fishing (no threat of muskie or pike down here - worst is just a catfish every now and then) I tie directly to my fluorocarbon ('cept topwaters, they go on mono). When at the coast, I use a variety. For flounder and trout, I make double hook flounder rigs out of a high test mono or flouro, and use mono line (their mouths are so soft that I need the stretch). Fishing for reds, with artificials, I tie directly to my line (haven't decided one way or another on that). When surf casting or pier fishing, I use steel leaders on mono. My only shark experience is off the pier so I haven't got any answer there.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

if im targeting panfish I dont use a leader. I have lost a few lures to Pike but oh well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

I also use braided line and have never had a fish bite through it yet. It requires a Palomar knot or similar non-slip variety. We fish where no matter what species you are after, musky, pike, and walleye are always present. If I'm fishing specifically for musky using musky tackle I will use a leader. My walleye and crappie rods are all strung with braided line. A few of them have small Fast Snaps to attach small jigs. They allow quick color changes and don't seem to bother the fish.

 

[Hooge]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

I almost always use a swivel at the end of my line with 20lb braded and I almost always use a steel leader. Now if you want to use a leader, titanium is the way to go. No kinks and it is light. I cant afford to lose one of my Raplas or Thundersticks. I think what it really depends on is your preference. If you like to use one lure for an extended period of time then I would just tie it on.(if the fish don't have teeth) If you change lures alot then i would clip it.

 

[tredragon]

Re: how do you attach lure to line?

FYI I just found this site (that I'm sure nobody needs, or already knew about) re: knots.

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com