Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

[mountainboy]

Hey everyone-- I'm venturing out to Springer Lake in New Mexico to catch pike this week. I've never fished for these before and was hoping for techniques, baits, lures,etc. I've also never used steel leaders and was curious on how to set them up (tie onto main line and does your bait or lure clip directly to the leader?) I found some good info on the search engine, but am looking for a little bit more. Thanks!! By the way--I'll be fishing from my boat.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

I use a small swivel on my line and clip steel leader onto that. I like to use 6 inch leaders and then clip leader onto lure you are going to use. In Minnesota a red and white daredevil does good and a large beetle spin also works well. Troll weedline edges and around bait fish at about 5 to 6 MPH.

 

[mountainboy]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

Thanks, Eurolarva!! I appreciate the information.

 

[jfish28]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

My personall belief is that you get far more bites without the leader and unless your going after biggun's (15 lbs. or up) you'll catch them easily if you just control the head. this holds true if you use at least 10# test. altough last winter I got 5 over 7 on 2# crappie rods. As far as lures it really depends on what lures you are already aquainted with and have confidence in and what type of waters you fish. In clear water get as flashy and bright as you can (i.e. spoons, spinnerbaits, or husky jerks if they want something slower); while in murky water appeal to the pikes excellent lateral line and go vibration. For this go for a rat'l trap type vibrating bait. these in more natural colors are excellent even in clear wate. good luck and rely on your confidence baits.

 

[jfish28]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

If you are compelled to use a leader they make fine wire leaders with ball bearing swivels and cross-loc snaps that are an ideal compromise.

 

[jfish28]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

forgot about tech info. try a weed flat that has quick access to deeper water since the big boys prefer it a lil' bit cooler...or long line for the suspended thermocline big boys.

 

[teamstromer]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

mountainboy,<br />ihave been fishin for the big esox, i never use steel and my lure is always the mepps black fury, dressed #5. my belief is, it's either me or the fish, and if the fish gets away all the better. i always keep a camera on board for great pix.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

No doubt I get more fish when I don't use a leader, also lose more lures. I like to use number 4 or 5 mepps algia, and big spinner baits. I agree with the post about the weedy flats close to deeper water,thats ideal, better yet if you can find emergent weeds and run a stick bait over top of them. I always caught them on bass fishin rigs with 10 and 12 pound test.

 

[kcole683]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

They'll hit on just about anything. They really like spoons,Daredevil and the like. Any type of swimming bait looks like a minnow type. They like topwater baits when fishing shallow weed areas. <br />Personally I always use a wire leader when fishing Pike,Ive been cut off to many times. Sometimes they/ll cut you off past a 6 inch leader if they suck it up far enough.<br />Pike are agressive fish they like fast moving erratic baits,if it tries to get away they'll nail it.

 

[mountainboy]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

Thanks everyone for all the great information!!!

 

[neumanns]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

Use a leader, scarring off a few small fish will seem like a bargain if you ever land a large one. Oh sure you can catch large ones without leaders but the odds arn't near as good. One look in there mouth and you will understand why.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

Leader, 6-12".

 

[Dman]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

If you are not using a braided line, go with the leader. No need to lose a big fish to equipment failure...line breaking, that's preventable. <br />Personally, I like the Stealth 30 lb for bass and northerns. If I'm going for really big northerns, it goes up to 50 lb test. For me, mono line and northerns don't mix.<br />Dman

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

i allways use a leader. usually 6 inch and about 20 pound. favorite lures are big (3/4 or 1 oz.)blue and silver or firetiger color rattle traps, a nice big jerk bait or when i am lazy i might just soak a big sucker minnow.

 

[Jeff Peacock]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

I don't know if they grow 'em different up here in the north, but when we go to the lake, we head back if we forget our leaders. I caught a couple of five-pound hammer handles this weekend, and cut my fingers on their teeth while CLEANING one of those little beasts. IMHO, leaders or no catchie the big pikie. I caught a 48 inch, 25 lb northern last summer with a 12' black wire leader- it doesn't scare off the big ones, pike are WAAY too agressive to care. "What's that black thing in front of the bait I'm about to kill and eat" doesn't cross their minds, trust me

 

[roscoe]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

"Hey Joe Fish, I was going to eat that 11" chunk of steel with the 3/4 oz brass weight, the 2" willow blade spinner, the dual Mustad treble hooks, and the gob of yellow and red fur. But then I saw that thin steel leader in front of it and it scared me off."

 

[mountainboy]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

Great information, everyone. I'm going out tomorrow (Sunday) until Monday. I'll report when I get back. Thanks again!!

 

[mountainboy]

Re: Northern Pike techniques/steel leader question

The water at the lake was very muddy due to recent runoff. I tried all that I had, but no luck on Pike. Went to a neighboring lake and fished for trout. Did a lot better!!