Mono Trace for Pike Fishing

[Dales]

I was looking over a few December copies of Angling Mail last night before chucking them out and noticed a piece in the letters page from Archie Braddock who was suggesting single hooks and not using wire traces for Pike.

 

I know the discussion has come up before about single hooks for Pike, I favour the standard treble set up but can see why some like singles even if it is not my thing. However I am a little stunned that some one as well known as Archie would suggest not using wire for Pike. Even those who do not fish for Pike know this is essential, granted Pike are caught and landed by accident on mono or braid hook lengths but surely to deliberately target Pike with out a wire trace is just irresponsable angling.

 

From threads on the search for the holy grail of trace wire to use for Perch fishing in case you get a Pike pick up while Perching I assume many on Anglers Net agree its madness to use fish baits with out wire.

 

What worries me most about "known anglers" giving out this sort of advice is that many new to Pike fishing are likely to take on board what they say and put it in to practice. I know their is an argument that fish shed hooks very quickly but to be honest I am yet to be convinced this is the case and have on a number of occasions removed extra smaller coarse hooks from Pike while removing my trebles and often wonder how long they have been in the fish's mouth. I doubt these small match hooks make much difference if left in a Pike, but a large single with mono can not be good for the fish and mono or braid will lead to many bit offs.

 

I love experimenting it's one of the fun parts of fishing and I have to admit I have had a few dum ideas over the years. They may not have been effective but I am sure they were at least all safe.

 

But is no wire trace for Pike an experiment to far?

 

To be fair to Angling Mail they did print a statement under the letter recommending the use of wire for all Pike fishing.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Dales

[Worms]

The trend in sea fishing for some species e.g. Tope, conger etc. is to use heavy mono traces, 200-250lb. Many fish are caught on these without problems and when it comes to sharp teeth I'd rather be bitten by a pike than a tope!

 

But seriously, did he specify the strength of mono?

[Brian Carragher]

Some of my thoughts here http://www.maggotdrowning.com/forum/topic....TOPIC_ID=103065

[Anderoo]

But seriously, did he specify the strength of mono?

 

Exactly, that's the key bit of info. Predator anglers on the continent (I believe?) often use mono traces for pike and especially zander, but they are made from very hard, strong mono.

 

A bit of a silly thing to publish in the weeklies as you say, as most people won't have the experience to make a proper judgement. I expect they're just trying to get a bit of a contentious debate going (it's working!).

[Dales]

The trend in sea fishing for some species e.g. Tope, conger etc. is to use heavy mono traces, 200-250lb. Many fish are caught on these without problems and when it comes to sharp teeth I'd rather be bitten by a pike than a tope!

 

But seriously, did he specify the strength of mono?

 

Can't remember if he recommended a line strength, but my assumption is he would be using heavier line then he would be if he used a wire trace.

[Worms]

It has to be said I would rather use a nice flexible wire trace than a 1.5mm thick mono trace for pike. I have some of the wire/braid knottable trace for my fly gear but haven't had a chance to test it yet (the lakes frozen!). Others say that it's very good.

 

I've landed a few pike on mono when not fishing for them and lost a few too. I've never lost one by having a wire trace bitten through though.

[JV44]

Read an article somewhere about using 150lb breaking strain mono for up traces on paternoster rigs instead of wire ,I always use wire even for Perch and have not noticed the Thames fish being shy of it even the thick plastic coated stuff,Just my take on it mind Steve.

[Dick Dastardly]

How old was the issue Dales? I say this as quite a few years ago now Archie was reccomending braid for pike hook lengths. Is this new madness from the flavoured one or just the old braid issue?

[JV44]

How old was the issue Dales? I say this as quite a few years ago now Archie was reccomending braid for pike hook lengths. Is this new madness from the flavoured one or just the old braid issue?

Budgie didnt he recomend Braid with the VB style double hooks or am i thinking of someone else?? ,Reckons he never got biten off ever!!!

if memory serves me from reading said article Steve.

[Dick Dastardly]

Cant remember the exact details now Steve but it caused a bit of a stir to say the least!

 

Ive experimented with heavy "hard" mono in my younger days.........totally pointless as any mono heavy enough to not get bitten through/cut is so stiff and thick that you might as well use much suppler and thinner wire.

 

A lot of people base their recommendation of mono over wire on the basis that the only pike they've ever caught/landed have had the hook in the scissors or any other position where the hook length doesn't come into contact with the teeth! normally non pike anglers who have caught these fish whilst targeting other species.

 

As for Zander then yes no one use wire for them or their cousin the Walleye abroad. Their tooth arrangement is totally different to a pikes so it isn't strictly necessary...................only problem is that here in the UK we have a lot of pike! and none Ive ever come across have been clever enough to realise that my live and dead baits are meant for Zander and not them!