Mono Trace for Pike Fishing

[Dick Dastardly]

Hiya,

 

As someone who uses 100lb and above mono on a regular basis, I'd love to know what size of single is he using a 6/0 as that's about the smallest hook you will get 100lb mono through the eye of.

 

And that's my biggest worry!

 

Why has Archie got such a hang up over this issue? strikes me as another wanting to re invent the wheel.

 

I accept that people will try new things even if others have tried them before.All good anglers have done this.What I struggle with though is that if these people have actually got enough experience of the issue at hand to comment so authoritatively and publicly on it....................................then surely that experience would have lead them to the same conclusion everyone else has?

[Dales]

Archie has been writing to the Mail to clarify things a little and to respond to the comments against singles and mono by the Mails Mark Barrett.

 

 

 

"I caught my first Pike some 55 years ago, and for the first 40 of these I used to use basic snap tackle like everybody else. The other 15 years saw me move on to braid and doubles, then mono and singles, so I have experienced all types of Pike rigs, in depth, which clearly Mark hasn't.

 

To put him right on my approach: I use small baits, nothing bigger than a sprat (and yes, I get big doubles and twenties yearly). My hook is usually a Drennan Carbon Specimen, size 8. Put one on your finger Mark, and then tell me what damage it might do compared to your two trebles.

 

I use a very delicate bite indicating set up, sit by my rods, and aim to hit any take within five seconds. About 80 per cent of my fish are hooked in the scissors, the others just in the mouth, none down the throat or in the gill rakers. There's a lot more in the presentation, but space forbids for now.

 

My Trent fishing has been hard over the recnt harsh weather period, with several blanks, but I've managed five Pike to over 17lb and two Zander to 14 lb 1 oz. No bite-offs, no dropped runs, no missed takes, no deep hooked fish, and all on a size 10 hook to 10 lb nylon. the proof of the pudding, as they say .........."

 

 

I am a little surpised by the 10lb mono, I had thought it would be a little bit higher!

[Dick Dastardly]

Well the size of single isn't going to cause any problems as its got the same depth of penetration as a size 8 treble. I can believe that if he sits there with one rod and does truly instant strike that hes not going to have to many problems with deep hooking! but there's two things I struggle with.Firstly there is no way that every hook hold is in the scissors so the mono must go over the teeth and no 10lb mono in existence will not be cut.Secondly he must miss an awful lot of takes and as good angling with the standard snap tackle and wire doesnt do any great harm why put up with missing runs?

 

Once again even if it does "work" for him I think its just so irresponsible to advocate it in a mag where total novice pikers can read it and think it the way to go.

 

Might be interesting if I can get Steve to invite him down for a days fishing on my river and we can see how his tactics fair against my standard ones.I say come to me as when the conditions are right big numbers of pike in a day (up to 30) are on the cards. Only seeing would convince me and even then......I just dont see the need!

[Dales]

Once again even if it does "work" for him I think its just so irresponsible to advocate it in a mag where total novice pikers can read it and think it the way to go.

 

Yeah thats the bit I don't like, the thought of new Pikers not using wire traces.

[grumpybum]

I have come across Archie fishing the Trent. Float fishing for roach with a sleeper rod for perch. I was told it was a live bait rig. I know I said perch fishing BUT a pike take can come at any time. Sort of contradicts statements made. I didnt ask about rig set up, before anyone asks.

[poledark]

As a piker who sits by his rods and uses a very sensitive bite indication setup I can understand that it could work. But as Budgie says, it will only need an inch or so of mono to go in the mouth and a bite off is on the cards, and then what? Hook swallowed with the bait?

 

The more I read that bit quoted, the more I dislike the thinking behind it. It is taking a risk with the life of the pike, one that no angler should do.

 

Den

[Dick Dastardly]

I suppose the one question I would really like to ask Archie is "Why?"

 

Does he think mono catches him more? Does he think wire is harmful to pike? Or does he want to fish for Perch and Pike at the same time?

Edited January 20, 2010 by BUDGIE