First pike trip of the year--wont be the last!

[flyboy1]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

Thanks! 20 lb fluoro is sufficient? I've had bluefish chew thru stronger stuff and wire takes away from the action of a lure.

I recommend 20lb steel leader in black.. seems to weigh a litlle bit lighter than the steel colored leader and wont affect the lure... I throw poppers, inlines, spinners, broken backs, etc... and it doesnt change the action trust me....

Just earlier today I caught a monster Pike (approx 36-38". 9-10lb) and it swallowed the lure and line was in the teeth and did not break... I was using 30lb power pro.. this stuff is amazing.... I was going for smallies otherwise I would of had a leader... but the power pro braid does the job...

[msgdan]

Way to go Jigman !!!!!! Congrats on a banner day for sure. You hit the river with perfect conditions for pike on your first try.......but......it's not like that every time. With the heavy rain expected for tomorrow, the river can become unfishable for a few days or up to a week. But that doesn't matter, you were there when it was good and you nailed them.

As far as line...leader...wire... I use 17 lb. mono with a swivel rated for 25 lbs. attached direct to a spinner bait. With over 300 pike caught this year from the kayak in the Passaic, I only lost one fish with a spinner bait in it's mouth, and that fish launched out of the kayak during a picture and the line got tangled on the metal camera mount on my kayak (which I replaced so it never happens again).

What ever line and leader you use.........sh%t will happen sooner or later and one will break off. It's all a part of fishing. We do whatever we can to have the right gear, but Mr. Murphy always has his way.

Congrats again !!!!!

Danny V

[Buschwacker]

Nice Catch!

[tycomps]

great day! had an hour to kill myself yesterday and hit a local river area as I haven't been in a while. Wanted to try a new bait caster I setup as a frogging rod with 50lb hi vis yellow braid and tied on a nylon coated steel leader. Never fished for pike with line this visible or heavy and the water was so low I could see the bloated bottom feeders (carp) plain as day. Just as I was thinking how it was too low my spoon slid by a carp and the water exploded from a 26 inch toothy. Few minutes later I had another one follow me in and nip my spoon a foot from shore.

[Jigman13]

Thanks all! The site has been immensely helpful and I appreciate all the feedback. After driving in the rain this AM it's pretty evident that it'll take some time for things to relax and be fishable again.

Next time out I'll try the 20 lb fluoro as I purchased a leader spool last Friday. The barrel swivels I purchased were rated a bit high at 40# but they should work fine with a 12" leader.

And lastly--I'm a manager of expectation for a living...I know all pike excursions will not be as fruitful but boy am I glad it was this past Saturday!

Catch 'em up!