Fluorocarbon Leaders? Still? Really?

[Scott McKee]

Is anyone still using fluorocarbon leaders?  Do you think muskies are leader shy?  They don’t seem to mind the three 7/0 hooks on my Perchbaits and Believers or the 9/0's on my Plows.  You are only kidding yourself if you think a musky can’t bite through fluorocarbon.  Don’t leave a lure imbedded in a musky.  Please use single strand stainless steel leaders.    Do you think they won’t hit a lure with a steel leader?  I’ve had them follow my propeller while the boat moved forward with the electric.  If they want to whack a lure they will, no matter what connects it to your line.  When it comes to musky fishing, forget fluorocarbon, please.  If you want to learn how to make leaders that are tooth proof, ask a board member how.  We'll teach you.  Remember, a lot the national guys who tell you to use fluorocarbon are paid to tell you to use fluorocarbon.  Steel.  There is no substitute.  If you have a contrary opinion on this subject, please leave a comment below.

[Bob Piazza]

Scott I agree with you on the Flourocarbon but my concern using single strand wire is the possible damage they do to themselves when they roll in it. Ive seen scrapes and wire marks. I guess its still the lesser of the 2 evils though.

[Scott McKee]

I've caught a bunch of muskies in my time, not as many as some members, but more than most.  I can't recall a single musky I've landed that rolled itself in a steel leader.  I’m sure I have, but I've spent the last five minutes trying to think of one and I can't.  When I have a fish on trolling I really put the screws to it.  With the winches I use trolling and the length and action of the rods I use, this is easier than babying them with lighter equipment.  I try to get them boat side as fast as I possibly can.  I think this may account for a few lost fish where I pulled hooks, but I think this may be why they don't roll themselves in the leader.  I know this does happen, but like you said a few scrapes is way better than a lure in a fish's mouth.  I wonder if the rolled-in-the-leader scenario is made by fluorocarbon guys to justify the fact that a musky can bite through their leaders.  I don't like coated wire, because I'm not a big fan of crimps, single strand is more durable and I've had a few cases where the coated wire has popped at arbitrary location on a backlash.

[Bob Piazza]

I make my own single strand leaders so I'm not a flourocarbon guy. Mine are about 4 feet long or so and yes I have had several fish roll in them near the boat and mark themselves up. It does happen all the time but on occasion it happens. I feel more comfortable with wire anyway, Im using 124# camo wire.

[Bob Piazza]

I meant doesn't. How do you edit these posts/

[Scott McKee]

I don't think you can edit comments Bob, but I got your drift!

[Scott McKee]

Guess what?  I've heard a very recent story about a musky sawing off 150# fluorocarbon like it was sewing thread.  GANG, DO NOT USE FLUOROCARBON LEADERS!!! MUSKIES CAN AND WILL BITE THROUGH THEM!!!  GOT IT??!! HOW MANY MUSKIES HAVE TO BE DOOMED WITH A LURE STUCK IN THEIR YAP BEFORE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS POINT???!!!

USE STEEL LEADERS GOD DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jojo wilczewski]

Good Day

If you are still unsure about plastic leaders , next time you get a big gal near the boat try to rub it past her teeth. If it hits one the right way , butter. I did use plastic as a youngster. It  imediately cut before the rod was loaded or bent.

I have had fish roll up in the leader and it does leave a mark. Imagine what would happen to that fish if he rolled in a plastic leader and it cut. She may never eat again  from being hog tied. I have seen fish with a lure lodged across both jaws. It was very thin.

A wise man once told me that a Musky may or may not hit wire line or heavy  leader but he certianly WILL NOT  cut it and get away.

It is one of things we can all do to protect the fishery.

Be nice to the Ladies, please.

ALA BALA BALA

jojo out

 

[John Jarosz]

I never liked fluoro.  Always thought they were too brittle in the cold & too touchy to tie.  So, now I have a question but not about fluoro.  It's about losing fish & using treble hooks.  I've always preferred using single hooks instead of trebles & on my spoons have changed out the trebles for single points.  I always figured more psi per point plus there's only one hook point in the fish.  Don't know if it's true about the psi but that's what I do.  How would single points work on muskie lures?  Would they mess up the action?  Would they make hook-ups harder, easier, or no difference?  Anybody out there ever do that?  thanks

[Scott McKee]

Sure single hooks work on musky lures all the time; tubes, Swim Shads and spinnerbaits.  I'm not sure how they'd work on hard bodied lures.  I've never tried them.  As far as messing with the action of the lure goes; I am strictly a lure purchaser (recovering addict really). I would direct that question to one of our very talented hard bodied lure makers like Brett Cournoyea or Jim Reynolds

[jojo wilczewski]

Good Day

I have some Husky Jerks in which I have switched to two single hooks that I use for Pike and one Toothy for Musky. As long as you are conscious about keeping the  hook weight similar the lures work the same. Never been bit on the Toothy, but the Husky get bit alot. I like them for Pike for two reasons. One it is much safer removing two singles then three trebles, even with the barbs pinched.  I have been hooked to many times. Second and more importantly is that I still get the tugs, the foollows,  and the white squriming bellies , but they DO NOT hook up all the time. I considerate a good release, especially when I have already caught a bunch.  I truely wish for the strike, if I can fool  them into hitting me and squriming around beneath me, I did every thing right and feel good. Of course I like to feel and touch them too , but that is another story.  The single hooks, on hard bodies or soft bodies, do not hook as much as the trebles. I am like Scott and put  ,big 9/0 sharpened and hook points spread out, trebles on jigs and Swim Shads with a split ring at the connection to the main line attachment ring.

Go fish. ALA BALA BALA

jojoout