Preventing Pickerel exit Strategy

[John Sheehan]

The problem is Pickerel like thin profile 2-3"swim baits a LOT and bite through the thin monos and co-polymers  in their cutoff exit strategy. Landing the  hardest fish  to land  that I encounter frequently, has become an obsession for me . Often I resign to  using  longer hooks and longer hard baits which have a better success rate of getting these amazingly fast and exciting fish into  the boat .Sure I've landed and boated plenty of Pickerel on 4#,  Ultra light monos ,co polymers  and gear using small baits but like Dick Tabbert ,Slip Sinker and I have experienced ;and I am sure others here, they know how to escape by cutting the line with their razor teeth and leave you disappointed . Pickerel have large mouths and appetites and can easily engulf a 3" or more lure past the knot and escape, and often do . Using 2,3" swim baits or even small thin spoons in search of Bluegills with 4,6, 8# test mono or co polymer i get cutoff too often to not recognize this as a big problem for my style of fishing for Pickerel .It's because they hit those swim baits so often and want them so much that I have to find the way to fish them while  Preventing Pickerel Exit Strategy Success.

  Attached are photos of 5" and 9" FIRELINE leaders I've made up to see if they will work . I am trying to avoid a heavy wire leader for fear of ruining the action on small spoons and swim baits.

  This Fireline method may be a feeble attempt so I also have to consider making guitar string leaders out of .012 gauge or lighter .

[carl hendrix]

JOHN;; I THINK I HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR PROBLEM !!  YOUR BROTHER;; GREG;; IS NOT DOING HIS PART FAST ENOUGH !  HE IS ;; ACTUALLY ALLOWING THOSE BIG PIKE TO ESCAPE;; BY NOT NETTING THEM FAST ENOUGH ! LOL

[John Sheehan]

Well Carl at least he didn't knock it off the hook ! LOL.

[John Sheehan]

Picked up three Eagle Claw Micro Wire Leaders 18 # test and 5 "length. I am hoping the Pickerel wont be stealing small spoons from me this year when I am fishing cold water small baits.  I have been looking for very thin gauge wire leaders that wont interfere with 1/12th and 1/10th weight spoons.

[John Sheehan]

Tried them out and didn't catch but was impressed with how the light spoons looked unaffected in terms of action..

[Mikey-D]

John I have seen pike don't cut braid very easy I have used that leader like the one you have but try the white braid they cant see that as well and tie a double uni knot instead of a barrel swivel similar to a shock leader. I have used that and had good success with that.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks Mikey !