Fluorocarbon pike traces

[Andy_1984]

Worms, I don't believe it is fair to experiment with an inferior rig which has been proven to get bitten off by pike, its detrimental and far from a positive step forward. *imo*

[Worms]

So no chance of improvement...ever?

 

I'm sure that as they realise fluorocarbon has its problems then manufacturers will improve it. Tried it recently?

 

Not so many years ago fishing mono for razor toothed fish such as tope would have seemed stupid and ridiculous.

 

Don't get me wrong, I still fish wire or wire/braid if I'm targeting pike but, I'm also quite happy to try experimenting with leader quality mono...fluorocarbon will follow I'm sure.

Edited April 8, 2013 by Worms

[Andy_1984]

Well there has been improvement on "wire" there's always more supple and thinner diameters coming out.

[Worms]

An interesting read!

 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbontestpg6.html

[Andy_1984]

Interesting but why is knot strength relevant ?.

[Worms]

A bit of a **** if you get a fish to the net and the knot let's go!

 

Standard line testing stuff these days!

[Andy_1984]

I use 30lb wire traces, never have any crimps been compromised or slipped. The only knot in my lure rig is 12-14 inches away from the lure and teeth. Which BS is 50lb power pro braid.

 

Once I had to pull for a break when I snagged a tree trunk on the opposite bank, the majority of the time I pull snags out or straightened the hooks.

 

It's really not an issue, not something that even bares considering to be honest.

Edited April 9, 2013 by Andy_1984

[philocalist]

Just to throw a spanner in the works completely .....

 

I've lure-fished extensively for neck-end of fourty (forty??? ) years, occasionally in the salty stuff but most often chasing freshwater species. If I intend to encounter pike (or expect that I might) I'll use a wire trace - but that often presented me with a scenario that meant I was compromising how effective my technique / presentation might be for other, intended target species in a water where there were few (but usually large) pike present: I suspect that it's a similar scenario that has lead many to seek the 'Holy Grail' of traces - the benefits of wire, without the drawbacks.

Several times over the years I looked for alternatives: when braid first appeared, one alternative that presented itself was to have a trace made up of multiple strands of braid ... a right mess-on to make up properly, though I NEVER had a pike bite me off, but ultimately too much mucking about for very little additional benefit.

I HAVE used fluorocarbon - HEAVY fluorocarbon as a trace material when LURE FISHING for pike - again, NEVER had a bite-off, though can't say that it would never, ever occur, any more than I can guarantee a wire trace wouldn't snap off after an un-noticed twist occurred in the trace. Again, seeking the Holy Grail, but returned to wire.

 

Conversely I HAVE found something quite brilliant as an alternative trace material (to wire) UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Unfortunately, I can't put a brand name to it - not even my supplier can do that, apart from advise it come in from China (and two years later they are still waiting for more to arrive!)

 

I've always got my eye open for a trace that could be used to safeguard pike whilst intentionally fishing for other species, without using wire. What I found was a thread / cord / call it what you will, in a craft shop. It cost me less than a fiver each for a couple of 50m spools in different diameters. The best way I can describe this material is that it looks like mono, is plasticy in appearance, and is elastic with good 'memory' i.e. it will return to it's original length repeatedly without losing stretch.

Pulling this 'line', under tension, across a serated knife blade does nothing. A seriously sharp knife fares little better, and scubbing it along an abrasive block (eventually) seems to roughen the surface a bit ... this stuff is a BUGGER to cut - I use wire cutters. It knots well, and doesn't kink, and remains elastic even in very cold water .. I've no idea what 'crafty' people use it for - something to do with flower arranging, I think!

In short, it works brilliantly well with smaller lures, and DOES protect against bite-offs from pike, but therein lies the problem - you would not / could not use it for that purpose if you expected to encounter anything more than jacks, as under test, even the heavier stuff snaps quite cleanly (at the knot) with a 6lb pull - quite enough for my specific purpose, as under those circumstances that's likely the heaviest BS line that I'm likely to be using, though more likely the real will be carrying 4lb Maxima!.

Edited April 9, 2013 by philocalist

[Andy Macfarlane]

...and when can anyone actually say for sure they'll encounter anything but jacks?

 

I'd also say the hardest fighting pike I've ever banked have been of the 14lb range, so definitely not that big.

[Phone]

philo,

 

I notice any number of compounds awaiting patent publication dates. Also, A couple braided multicolored gizzmos like Chinese handcuffs used as "guards". Seems the inventor can "compliment" the lure(?). Haven't seen or heard anything about that sort of protection.

 

Phone