[keith Ogden]

Alright guys im after some info regarding wire traces for pike what lb rating is suitable and does anyone have a link for a supplier would rather buy them ready made cos im lazy :-D thanks for any help guys

 

[Andrew Walker]

Hi Keith

I have never been bitten off using 25lb wire traces so cant see the need for going heavier. There are specialist traces designed primarily for jerkbaits that are designed to stay stiff rather than be all limp (oo err missus!) that can be heavier as it aids this 'trait' but 25lb will suffice for most circumstances.

Making traces is dead easy with a twiddling stick and a bit of shrink tube but test them before using them if you have not made one before, however, if you really want to buy them ready made, then try the Friendly Fisherman at Tunbridge Wells.

http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk/section17042/pike-and-predator-tackle/et-predator-tackle/

They do some excellent predator gear and know their stuff

 

[Steve Lewis]

Keith,

Try AGM, he has loads 20 to 30lb should cover all ! I make my own as well, much cheaper

 

[keith Ogden]

Thanks guys just purchased a dozen 30lb off agm

 

[SimonNicol]

TBH - the lb b/s is more to do with the lure weight in practise:

No pike is ever going to snap 20lb line unless you're a idiot or suffer a disaster.

I use 20lb for tiny jigs where hardly any casting is involved or if there is: it's short and pin-point. (with 10lb PP)
" " 30lb for general lures/SP's less than 3/4 oz (with 20/30lb PP)
" " 60lb for bigger stuff (with 30lb PP)
" " 100lb Ti for jerks/Dawgs etc etc (with 65 or 100lb PP)

Wire degrades with repeated casting and working hence stepping up B/S against the line B/S.

If you're using 10g SP's and 5g/10g Jig heads or thereabouts 30lb is fine.

 

[Vidar Thomassen]

TBH - the lb b/s is more to do with the lure weight in practise:

No pike is ever going to snap 20lb line unless you're a idiot or suffer a disaster.

I use 20lb for tiny jigs where hardly any casting is involved or if there is: it's short and pin-point. (with 10lb PP)
" " 30lb for general lures/SP's less than 3/4 oz (with 20/30lb PP)
" " 60lb for bigger stuff (with 30lb PP)
" " 100lb Ti for jerks/Dawgs etc etc (with 65 or 100lb PP)

Wire degrades with repeated casting and working hence stepping up B/S against the line B/S.

If you're using 10g SP's and 5g/10g Jig heads or thereabouts 30lb is fine.

Absolutely spot on :clap::clap::clap:

 

[Allen Cronin]

Maybe its just me but Im very slow to use shop bought traces ever again just cant trust them .
I make all my own now and wouldnt go past using titanium multi strand wire or titanium single strand for jerks but the single will do the the job for every thing pervided your using a good ball bearing swivel.
This fellow is a friend of mine and he makes a few at home and they are top quality if you need to get sorted in the future http://titaniumeliteleaders.blogspot.com/ oh ya they dont kink so will last a season no probs pervided you dont loose them;-)

 

[Guy Micklewright]

Once you've tried titanium single-strand you won't look back. I have a light set-up with 50lb PP for lures up to 60g which I use with 40lb titanium leaders (think I will change this to 65lb pp and 50lb titanium soon) and a jerkbaiting set-up with 80lb pp and 100lb titanium leaders (available from www.dlst.co.uk). I think the titanium leaders I'm using at the moment have lasted two seasons. You don't need to be particularly subtle for pike, you only need to be thinking about what works best with the lure you're using. I'd always go for the heaviest set-up you can get away with. You're more likely to pull hooks out of structure, will better resist abrasion and will pull the pike in quickly. Pike are delicate and particularly when the water's warm most people's experience is that in order to get them back safely you need to keep the fight short. Not always vastly sporting but much better for the fish!