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#1
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Fishing lines are getting better.
My thought's are that fluorocarbon lines are getting so good at being abrasion resistant that you may not need a big ugly steel leader or the larger fluorocarbon leader.
I have a walleye outfit rigged with 8lb floro that has caught several big pike up to 42"and musky up to 44"and the line was fine. I always check for nicks and re-tie when necessary. Thinking of going with a smaller musky outfit with 25lb floro and tying directly to the lure or a snap barrel swivel. I think this would only work on lures that are 2oz and smaller. I know I'm taking a chance here but how many fish have I missed because the fish noticed the leader? I also think lure action would improve. I watch a few salt water shows and see them bring in 20-35lb bull reds, snook, tarpon, bone fish and permit with no leader. |
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#2
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I tried a similar experiment last year. I didn't seem to catch, any more fish but it was a tough year for me. I did learn I didn't like the floro, if you get a backlash like I do once in a while it wont handle that, the lure does the old pick up speed thing when the line snaps. Never breaks for me with a braid. I went to all 832 and love it.
It was also hard to get the backlashes out. That and quick releases are tough when the fish is wasted from the fight. Try it for yourself though, this is just my .02$. |
#3
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832 SUCKS.. bleeds all over and when you get a backlash that crap digs in like no other.
also, i wouldn't advise going that low on your leader. The teeth on a musky are much bigger than any walleye. And the way they thrash, they will rip thru some leaders. I use #130 stealth leaders and don't see any reason to change. You never know when that fish of a lifetime is going to hit. IMO, downgrading is like going on a trophy hunt with a .22LR |
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#4
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I've seen first hand 40" to 50" Muskie tear right through 130# fluorocarbon leaders. I now use no less than 150# flourocarbon and steel as well. First, a Muskie does not care on seeing the leader or color of line. They hit boatside! I've used neon 80# 832 with zero issues and fish could care less. If your purposely targeting Muskie I wouldn't use anything less than 65# braid along with 150# flourocarbon leader or steel. It's best for the fish as keeping your lures. No need in fighting the fish to exhaustion as well as potentially breaking off with fish swimming away with a 8-10" soft plastic or bait in it's mouth. It's important to use the proper gear... I've seen fish bend, twist hooks, snap leader in half and they are stronger than you think....
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#5
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I will be targeting Northern Pike on Lac Seul this summer. I usually rig up some fireline (I cant remember the test but I think its about 15 lbs) and have not had an issue with not using a leader. Ive landed some ~35 inchers on it with no leader and no issues.
I want to target muskie some of the days Im fishing there. Two questions: 1) Will the fireline be ok? 2) will I need a leader? Thanks! |
#6
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Fireline could work but your talking "Lac Seul" where monsters roam! I would suggest to always use a leader when chasing the toothy Esox. You might get away with no leader and light line but your odds significantly decrease when targeting these species with light line and no leader. If your gonna chase Muskie I would highly suggest to use no less than 65# braided line. I use 80-100# but I know 100% for sure I won't lose my expensive Muskie lure and I won't lose a fish and have it swim off with a 5-14" bait stuck in it's mouth. If you plan on releasing Muskie then it's best to use a leader and with heavier braid. Lac Seul has 40-50# fish, why not put the odds in your favor and know your terminal tackle is up to par for fighting a potential lifetime fish! Trust me, Muskies dont care about line color and visable leaders if they want to eat. Use 130# leaders with 65# braid at a minimum for Muskie
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#7
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Guess I'm Old School when tossing for the big fish I have a I think a #200 lb steel leader on. Still catch just as many fish as the guys with the braid and other stuff. Even the small ones dont seem to mind. Its not like your dealing with a soft hitting fish here.
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#8
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Sounds like my current set up is light enough compaired to what some of you use. It's a RevToro reel on a 8' Elk River custom rod loaded with 50lb braid and a steel leader. This set up set up has caught fish up to 51 inches.
I was just trying to think outside the box a little with a lighter set up. Never thought of over exhausting a fish with a lighter set up and that has happened while catching big pike on the walleye set up. I don't want to do that. I need to replace my old back up rod and reel. It's a Abu Garcia 5000 with a 6' Kunan rod (I call it the broomstick) it was the cats meow 30 yrs ago. Rod has been threw several Abu Garcia 5000-6000 series reels. Gears just can't handle the abuse. 50lb test use to be heavy 30 yrs ago. |
#9
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It's really all relative to the waters your fishing for Muskie. Some think 80#-100# braid is too much along with 174# wire and 150# Flourocarbon leaders but generally speaking dedicated Muskie anglers usually "beef" up the terminal tackle to not exhaust the fish. Plus, your rest assured the fish won't tear through line or leader and swim off with your bait. I chase trophy Muskie on LSC and confident if I lose a fish it's not because my tackle failed. It's either human error fighting the fish or the fish got the best of me, not my leader snapped. I'm sure on some waters you could get away with 50#-65# braid but most in the Muskie community will use a minimum of 80#. I just had a friend fishing with me last year and a 50" fish completely inhaled a 10" bait cutting a 130# leader in half in one strike. It sucked as my buddy lost a great fish and seeing it swim off with a 10" bait in it's mouth hoping it finds a way to shake it free or could hurt when trying to feed. By using bigger gear and terminal tackle in the summer I can get that fish fairly quickly to the net without building up all the lactic acid. It really is the way to go when specifically chasing Muskie. Sure you'll spend a bit more money but it's well worth it and rest assured when you hook a 30#, 40# or even 50# fish your odds of landing that fish increase! Most importantly is to have solid hook cutters, a big fish friendly net and extra pliers. Keep fish in net in water over side of boat and cut hooks if they are hooked badly. You won't disfigure the fish and if hooked in gills theres a good chance the fish could still survive by cutting the hooks out rather than tearing them out. Keeping that fish in the water increases survival and only pick her up for a quick picture and hold her upright in water by tail till she's strong enough to swim off on her own. No need to move them back and forth in water. This actually hurts the fish. Just let her sit there till she's ready to go. It's all worth it!!
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#10
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Quote:
__________________
Ben Beattie Sioux Lookout, Lac Seul, Ontario. |
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