A steel leader?

[mws]

When I am using crankbaits for walleyes I somtimes hook up a northern and end up losing my bait. Then I find myself putting on a steel leader to prevent break offs but then I dont have as much success and the bait loses some of its natural looking apeal. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[Minnesota]

Try using some 20 lb. Trilene XT as leader material. You might go as high as 30 lb if the water is stained. It will not provent all break offs from those pesky critters. But, atleast the little ones will have some trouble.

Minnesota

"As fisherman, we are all members of a brotherhood."

[wavewacker]

We have switched to fireline leaders on the river because of the zebra shells. We had to go to steel leaders which we got at Cabela"s but costly

[jet and jig]

>When I am using crankbaits for
>walleyes I somtimes hook up
>a northern and end up
>losing my bait. Then I
>find myself putting on a
>steel leader to prevent break
>offs but then I dont
>have as much success and
>the bait loses some of
>its natural looking apeal. Any
>suggestions would be great. Thanks
>
I would not use fireline on a river that has current. If you get snagged you can loose your rod and reel in swift current its tough holding your boat with just a rod in your hands and you don't have time for other adjustments or options.

[John in MN]

Get some 8# seven-strand uncoated wire and some leader sleeves and make your own leaders. Sometimes I use this when vertical jigging and getting a lot of bite-offs from northerns. This weight wire is thinner than monos of the same pound test. For trolling plugs I would attach it to the main line with a swivel and put a snap on the other end for attaching the plug.

[cmb]

I belive the concept is to use a fireline leader, not main line. the main line can snap a little easier if you can't free the snag. You may lose the lure, but not rod & reel.

[Phil T.]

This is perfect place to try flourocarbon leader material. Not the flouro fishing line, the much tougher leader material. Fly fishing catalogs will have a wide selection(Cabelas's has a fly fishing catalog.).
The strength needed will depend on the size of your pike. Remember, pike and walleye have cone-shaped teeth, no cutting edges, and flourocarbon leaders gained popularity with the salt water anglers who battle cutting teeth.