Bite leaders

[brookieaddict]

I'm going to try my hand at Musky this year and wanted to pick your brains about types off bite leaders. Is one material better than others,will heavy mono work?, should i tie them or buy them pre-tied??. I'm planning on a 9 weight set up throwing big mice,poppers,streams and what ever looks like Musky food. your advice will be appreciated. Thanks B.A.

 

[tomgamber]

At teh beach there are a couple methods that each have their merit. One is nylon coated wire...easy as mono to tie knots but some claim it spooks fish...I use a short piece of 50lb mono...the bluefish haven't cut it yet but its always possible. They also make those "toothy critter" leaders which are made from a tapered version of the coated wire. I would go with whatever is convenient and accessible. Let us know how you do...

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear brookieaddict,

I've spent some time talking to a guy who owns a destination pike lodge in Saskatchewan and he swears by either Tyger wire or Surlon knottable nylon coated wire leader. He says 20# test is all you need and if it gets booggered up just replace it. It comes in spools just like trout tippet.

They catch many 100's, maybe even a couple 1000's of pike each year at his lodge over 45 inches so I figure he knows his stuff? I also talked to a guy who fished at the lodge and they fly caught over 300 pike in a week in their group and not one of them that they counted was under 40 inches. Pike differ little from musky when it comes to dentures.

Regards,
Tim Murphy

 

[brookieaddict]

Tom and Tim many thanks the info is greatly appreciated, if i do get really lucky and remember the camera ill post it here first. If i hook myself with some 3/0's i'll need advice on the closest Med. Center. thanks again. B.A.