Ruining Yuba

[utahgolf]

[quote Duckbutter]Steel leaders are the safe bet. Since I switched to 25-40lb fluoro I may have been lucky with 13 straight with no break offs, but I have had to replace the leader a couple times after notches and wear from a few, but I have seen an increase in bites. I will see how many I catch before I get my first break off.

More important than an appropriate leader, for those new to pike, go get some Jaw openers or mouth props! Save your fingers lots of slivers! In October fishing crank baits from my float tube I caught 7 one day, and even with long needle nose my hands got all torn up trying to just open their mouths to get access. Mouth openers are essential to a good time.

I am looking forward to fishing Yuba for the first time, and will haul as many lawn darts out of there as I can. Last night we had some parmiggiano breaded pike fillets, baked, not fried. Love me some pike on the palette!

How many perch will be coming over from fish lake?[/quote]

If it's working for you, than that's all that matters...but BIG pike have BIG teeth and 25 lb line is like dental floss to them if they take the lure whole and it hits those teeth! You're right about the jaw spreaders, also the extra long, handle squeeze style pliers are great! and a finger saver!

This was a "smallish pike," 6 inch fat swimbait, engulfed no prob! Pretty decent chompers for a smaller pike.


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