Leaders

[The Wicker Man]

I was wondering what the best thing to use as a leader for fishing Walleye in pike filled waters? I have tried heavy test fireline as suggested by some of you but the gators sharp teeth have made quick work of my $9 crankbaits a few times. I have also tried those small 12lb wire leaders but they coil up after a few hours of fishing.
With the price of crankbaits these days my main concern is keeping them on the line. I would also like to give up as little action of the bait as possible.

[Lund_Dude]

South bend makes some really nice light wire leaders. I have used them on occasion with good luck. Otherwise, I like to troll with Power Pro or Whiplash and have had pike cut me very rarely. Good Luck!

[Dave S]

You can easily make your own light wire leaders. I ordered light cable from Cabelas, put a small double barrel swivel on the top end and a doulock snap on the lower end for attachment of the crankbait.

If a Pike bends the leader, I just tie on a new wire leader saving the old leader cutting off the swivel and snap to be used on another leader. Cost per leader is several cents and works great. You can custom tie what ever leader weight you choose. I used a fly tying vice to hold the leader, formed a loup in the leader for the double swivel or snap and just wrapped the loose end of the cable around itself half a dozen times or so. Never had a cable wrap come loose. You can buy cable connectors but they increase the visibility of the leader and resistance of the leader as it is pulled through the water.

[lobo]

Making your own is great but if you choose to just buy some look at the Terminator Titanium leaders. They are a little pricey but do not coil or kink; they are flexible enough to tie a knot in.

lobo