Wire traces for pike

[Steve Burke]

Many thanks indeed for that, Andy. I'll definitely be taking a look. Wonder Wire has all the same attributes and so if it's better I look forward to testing it.

 

I can't find it on their web site - do you know if they do it in a lighter breaking strain?

[Andy Macfarlane]

Kenny (McGowan) sells it straight off a big drum so it's probably not advertised because he doesn't sell it in say, 20m lengths for instance or in ready measured spools. You just ask him for as much as you want and he measures it out for you. I honestly cannot say if he sells it in other strengths because the 24lb stuff has always suited my needs, so I've never asked. It's possible he might but I can assure you, the 24lb stuff is really thin. It's like thread and perch really don't react badly to it, unlike Z-Thread, which puts them off for sure. I have caught with Z-Thread but my catch rate did drop noticeably but with this stuff, I can't say the catch rate dropped considerably enough for it to be a worry. I'm not saying it's just like using 4lb mono. That would be exaggerating but it didn't concern me enough to stop using it. You can expect a slight drop in takes using any wire when perch fishing, I think you'll agree. This stuff is the best I've found so far though.

 

.....Regards.....Andy.....

[Steve Burke]

Thanks Andy. Yes, I certainly agree that you get less takes on wire from perch. I also found that 15lb Wonder Wire was better than the 25lb for perch.

[Emma two]

A good topic, and one which illustrates the 'one is never too old to learn principle'.

It has made me think about my own practice. I use fine wire traces for my lots of my perch fishing, (lures and small livebaits which are readily taken by pike) and while I have caught what I consider to be good fish (2Lbs plus) on them, I am now wondering how many better fish I havn't caught because of the wire. I found Andy's recommended tackle shop and intend to try some of the 24lb stuff.

[Emma two]

Please, comments on this stuff

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pike-Spinning-Leader...A1%7C240%3A1318

 

If the vendor is to be believed, then we shouldn't be using wire at all, at least not for fly and lure fishing.

I'm unconvinced.

[Steve Burke]

Please, comments on this stuff

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pike-Spinning-Leader...A1%7C240%3A1318

 

If the vendor is to be believed, then we shouldn't be using wire at all, at least not for fly and lure fishing.

I'm unconvinced.

 

I too am unconvinced. I've taken issue with some US anglers in the past who feel it's acceptable to lose pike on nylon traces "because it doesn't happen very often". Once is too often for me!

 

This just might be a genuine breakthough, but I doubt it. Either way I'd hate to be the pike it's tested on! In fact the only way I'd be willing to test it is in conjunction with one single hook as a pike will almost certainly get rid of this.

 

Come to think of it though, it's probably quite stiff as well and so may have some use in carp fishing.

 

BTW, Aiken to do a similar sort of product in the UK called Hard Core and make similar claims. Go to http://www.ultimauk.com/hard-core.htm

Edited February 18, 2009 by Steve Burke

[Tony U]

Steve

I have caught Barracuda on hard mono, all be it 100lb test and it has not been damaged at all. Bearing in mind that the dentures on a decent Cuda make your average pike look toothless, (they can slice through 7 or 49 strand 28lb wire like it is cotton thread), there is probably some mileage in investigating using mono in the higher breaking strains.

That said if I am getting fish like Cuda Wahoo and other toothy beasts I will always change to 100 or 150lb wire traces, even if it does reduce the chances of a Billfish.

Edited February 18, 2009 by Tony U

[Andy Macfarlane]

Sorry Tony, you might as well compare pike to porpoises for all the use that post was. Barracuda and pike are not the same. Comparable in shape to same degree perhaps but then the similarities stop right there. Barracuda certainly do have some nasty teeth but do they have somewhere in the region of 300 of them? No, they don't. In fact are their teeth similar in any way at all? Do people lose barracuda on 100lb mono? Yes they do. You've just admitted you'd change to wire if you started catching 'cudas so you're now debating the point with yourself.

The mono Vs. wire debate has been going on for as many years as I've been fishing and the same question always applies.

 

Why do we need an alternative to wire?

 

Please, by all means, explain why. What is the point? I use HI-Viz yellow line, wire, coloured beads, red hooks, gold paper-clips, lead weights with copper loops. I'm hardly going to any lengths to camouflage anything and do I catch pike. Yes I do...of all sizes, ages, shapes, experiences and weights and never for one second have ever considered the fact that my tackle is patently obvious.

 

Sorry if I'm ranting. It's not you Tony. I just cannot abide this subject. It's been more or less proved categorically by pikers up and down the country that there's not a single reason why anyone should use anything BUT wire....Tha'sall....cof!

 

(goes to make a strong coffee)

 

.....Regards.....Andy.....

[Dick Dastardly]

The mono Vs. wire debate has been going on for as many years as I've been fishing and the same question always applies.

 

Why do we need an alternative to wire?

 

 

 

I was going to answer the origonal post from Emma with a (as usual for me!) long winded reply about my experiences and experimentation with both wire and mono for pike traces.Chuck in my normal reminise about a relevant fishing experience with some well known angler (in his case a days fly fishing for pike with Al Lindner from In -Fisherman!) untill I read this gem from Andy.Never really thought of it before but it really does sum it up doesnt it?

[Tony U]

Andy

You are rather reluctant to view any changes to Pike set ups, first circle hooks and now Mono; all I was saying that if a fish like a Cuda which can snap a trace as easy as cotton (a trace that by the way could land any pike that swims in the UK), can be landed using hard mono then it may be something worth exploring.

I know for a fact that Canadian Muskie anglers (don't tell me that is like comparing a Pike to a Porpoise) are using 100-150lb flourocarbon traces for there pike fishing and these guys are practicing safe fishing and catch and release just as much as we are.

Tony