Advice on tip-up leader

[Herky2002]

Hi guys,

I was hoping for some guidance on what line works best for tip-up leaders. I want to use something that won't get bitten off by pike, but also that won't spook any walleyes that might be interested in a sucker minnow or big shiner. It seems like the walleyes won't bite on line strong enough for pike, and lighter line leads to too many pike bite offs. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[centralmnguy]

I like the thorne bros.30# Quick strike rigs with big suckers

[lungdeflator]

About a 2-3 foot flourocarbon leader in something around 20 lbs would be good. I also prefer the quick strike rigs that are fluoro for pike. But I've never caught or tried to catch walleye with them so I can't comment on the effectiveness for walleye.

[live4chrome]

I use 100 lb flouro. Same stuff I use for halibut leaders. Haven't had a bite off yet., however I don't try to use them for walleye.

[tunrevir]

Heavy mono and flouro are too stiff to give the minnow much action. Try 20# POWER PRO. It tends to stand up well to pike and doesn't seem to keep walleyes from shying away unless in really clear water but since walleyes tend to bite better in low light the power pro becomes nearly invisible in the dark. One other option would be to try circle hooks and then when your hooked up you line is never near the fishes teeth.

Tunrevir~

[live4chrome]

Heavy mono and flouro are too stiff to give the minnow much action. Try 20# POWER PRO. It tends to stand up well to pike and doesn't seem to keep walleyes from shying away unless in really clear water but since walleyes tend to bite better in low light the power pro becomes nearly invisible in the dark. One other option would be to try circle hooks and then when your hooked up you line is never near the fishes teeth.

Tunrevir~

What kind of rig are you using? I tried 30lb power pro And kept getting bit off.

With a single treble.

[motley man]

I have used 20# Trilene XL for years and never have problems. Just check for niches after each fish. I use 3' leaders so I can just clip niches off and retie. I put a spinner on above a #4 treble hook with a 4" to 6" sucker minnow and catch plenty of walleye with them. Early morning and sunset.

[fishcast]

Tough to target two very different species with same rig...

I really like 20-35 lb cortland toothy critter tie able wire for pike. I've definitely caught walleyes with it too... Realistically most braid, mono, and flouro options (that aren't super heavy strengths 100 plus pound) will get bit clean through often, and if they don't, they would require retying very often.

[tunrevir]

live for chrome, 20#pp ties to a single kahle hook corresponding to the size bait I am using when pike fishing. I regularly catch pike on tipups with 8# mono tied to a #8 Gamagatsu walleye hook with very few break offs which also doubles as my walleye rig. Just have to play the fish a bit longer and work them gently into the hole. For bigger pike and baits I will upsize to heavier power pro or heavier mono but the 20# power pro is a nice compromise for a rig when looking for both species.

Tunrevir~

[maxpower117]

live for chrome, 20#pp ties to a single kahle hook corresponding to the size bait I am using when pike fishing. I regularly catch pike on tipups with 8# mono tied to a #8 Gamagatsu walleye hook with very few break offs which also doubles as my walleye rig. Just have to play the fish a bit longer and work them gently into the hole. For bigger pike and baits I will upsize to heavier power pro or heavier mono but the 20# power pro is a nice compromise for a rig when looking for both species.

Tunrevir~

How often does the pike actually get the minnow deep in their mouth with this rig? I suspect that you are hooking most fish in the corner of the mouth with this rig.

That might be the reason you don't get bite offs.

[tunrevir]

Yep most of the time I am catching them in the corner of the mouth. I blew it on my power pro comment though! I Run 40-50# power pro which is around 12# diameter. Dang guys, sorry for the mixup and bad info

Tunrevir~