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Pike fishing is a very exciting and popular form of fishing. At the same time, since the pike is a very strong and stubborn predator, it is not uncommon for the line to break and bite. To avoid this, many use all kinds of leashes, including those made of fluorocarbon. Let’s take a closer look at the fluorocarbon leader material for pike.
Types and features of fluorocarbon leashes
One way to increase the “survivability” of the fishing line is to create so-called leashes – pieces of wire or other materials attached to carabiners that are too tough for a pike. There are three main types of fluorocarbon leashes that are used when fishing on a spinning rod or on a vent. 
Standard single strand lead
The simplest and most commonly used version of the leash. It can be bought at a fishing store both ready-made and easy to make yourself.
Scrolling
In this case, fluorocarbon is twisted in the form of a “spiral”. This gives the leash additional rigidity and does not allow the pike to gnaw through it. But there is a downside – if the fibers start to get damaged, it will be difficult to detect. In addition, twisting the leash while fishing can confuse him.
double leash
This leash has a sliding hook attachment making it more useful and less visible in the water. This means, at a minimum, that it is better suited for winter fishing, when pikes are shy and very alert.
Does a pike bite a fluorocarbon leader?
The advantage of this material is that it is very resistant to abrasion and extremely elastic, which means that it will not be easy for a pike to bite it. But this also happens. However, in order to minimize biting, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the fishing line (we will consider the diameter and its indicators a little lower) and its quality. Those. use high-quality leader material, as well as select the required thickness based on the conditions of fishing and the weight of the intended trophy.
Among other advantages of this material, which behave well when fishing for fish, we can distinguish:
- Does not absorb water. So, after drying, the fishing line is not deformed.
- High refractive index, similar to water. This makes the material invisible in the water and the fish are unlikely to notice the fluorocarbon leader.
- Doesn’t stretch. After loads, the material takes on its original dimensions and does not become more brittle, unlike wire.
However, you should not replace all the fishing line with fluorocarbon. The reason is that with many advantages, fluorocarbon also has a significant disadvantage – it does not withstand sharp jerks, which means that it will most likely break when fishing. Therefore, it is used mainly to make leashes – the fishing line will take all the load from the jerks, and the leash will not allow the river predator to bite off the bait and hide with a hook, weights and other tackle. Of the other disadvantages of this material, only two can be distinguished:
- High cost. This is not the cheapest tackle, but the more expensive, the more the above-mentioned useful properties appear. So, for cheap options, due to the use of nylon as the base of the fishing line, there is still a certain percentage of water absorption.
- Poor reaction to fastening to hooks. Harsh knots are more likely to weaken the density of the line. This is the reason for using leashes.
Which fluorocarbon to choose for pike leashes
When choosing a fluorocarbon fishing line for pike leaders, the most important thing is not only to listen to the opinion of friends and familiar fishermen, but also to focus on the popularity of the manufacturer. This is important, since little-known companies can sell fishing line with “floating” quality, that is, their products will not always have the same qualities. And in the worst case, it will be a fake fluorocarbon for the price of a real one.
Which company’s line is better
Now the fishing line from the following companies, which have been on the market for a long time and have established themselves as reliable suppliers, is considered to be the highest quality. Basically, they are represented by Japanese firms:
- Sunline. They were noted on the market as honest sellers and manufacturers who do not require exorbitant money for their products. In addition, they were the first to report such a lack of material as poor resistance to sudden loads. They produce excellent fluorocarbon for leashes, perhaps even the best, as evidenced by numerous positive reviews.
- Kureha. They are the pioneers of the material. They work under several names, but the quality is always on top.
- Turey. High-quality fishing line, which differs from others in increased flexibility.
- Yamatoyo. They produce fishing line for simple fishing for light fish. The price corresponds to the quality – inexpensive and acceptable level of strength.
- P-Line. The only non-Japanese manufacturer on this list. Unlike the firms above, they produce fluores by combining two different materials, trying to overcome the original limitations of fluorocarbon.
Length
When choosing a reel, it should be borne in mind that one leash will go on average from 70 to 100 cm. Accordingly, if we are talking about active fishing, with a bookmark for mistakes and natural wear of the fishing line, then it makes sense to buy a reel for thirty meters.
Diameter (thickness) of the leash
The fishing line itself varies in thickness based on the weight of the fish that is supposed to be caught. Accordingly, the thicker the fishing line, the more weight it can withstand.
With a leash diameter of 0,5 to 0,9 mm, the breaking load averages from 11 to 36 kg. If you choose a diameter of 0,3-0,45 mm, here the breaking load is correspondingly lower: from 7 to 10 kg.
For a leash, it is recommended to take a line with a strength one and a half to two times less than the main line.
Video: How to knit fluorocarbon leashes for pike
We knit a fluorocarbon leash for a pike with our own hands. Three ways:
Now, with knowledge of the properties of the material and its purpose, you have a new tool for catching pike and other cautious and strong predatory fish.