Best line for long range pike fishing

[fatboy]

Having been a mono user for all time, I was pondering about the benefits of using braid or lines such as the Shimano Technium for long range pike fishing (150 yards+ for drifting and around 80-100 yards leger). Is braid the best option, or should I be looking at other specialist lines?

Any comments most appreciated

[PaulG]

Have you thought about Fireline ? Wonderful stuff, floats like a dream, and is diameter / breaking strain ratio is very good. I think 10 lb Fireline comes in with the diameter as 4 lb mono, and actually breaks at around 17 lb !

PaulG

[DOC]

I've spent two winters using Shimano Technium (15 lb) for pike fishing. I love it, because I feel super-confident with it as it is virtually indestructible ! Very low stretch, almost like braid and very smooth, making it cast well despite looking like it won't. However, it costs a fortune, or rather it did, as it seems to have been replaced by a cheaper version (Catana). Also its no good for drifting (sinks) or for extreme range (at the strength I use). I have changed to Fox Submerge braid for long range this year, and Driftmaster for drifting. My beloved stocks of Technium are now reserved for catfish exploits...it really is great stuff, but probably didn't sell well because of the price.

For pike fishing at range you really have to have braid, not to get it out there but to get it back (with the fish hooked and still on !). Fox seem to make a good range, but I have also used Fireline which is quality stuff too, and a bit stiffer than the others making it less prone to tangling on the way out.

Hope this is of some use.

DOC

[John_H]

Doc, this is an academic question - I have tried drifter fishing but don't currently practice it. Anyway - would a brighter coloured floating braid than the Fox version be helpful ? With an unobtrusive line like the Fox you could in theory have a big bow in the line that you don't know about, which would militate against effective hooking. An easy to see floating braid (don't ET offer one ?) might help the angler maintain a reasonably straight line to the float - or indeed help advanced drifter fishers to manipulate curves in the line ?

[jack]

Fireline comes in fluorescent yellow or grey.

[DOC]

I did buy some ET line called Way-Out Drifter line in bright yellow. This was indeed much more visible and you could see where your line was very easily, but I never had much trouble seeing any floating braid really. As for the bow in the line, if there is one, its gone by the time you wind down and tighten up anyway. It's all down to personal preference really; the ET stuff was good, I just thought I'd try Fox this year. The Fox is more expensive (by £ 10) but is 30 lb b.s. against 17 lb for Way-Out.

DOC

[John_H]

Thanks Doc. By the way, are you still planning to try flyfishing for Pike this autumn ?

[fatboy]

Guys,

Sorry about the delay in getting back. Sometimes work just gets in the way of more serious things..../images/forum/icons/smile.gif
Anyway, thanks for the information.

Having read through the thread, it seems that braid looks a better bet for long range fishing, but it looks as though there are alternatives. So a bit more investigation is needed I think...

Thanks again,

Chris

[DOC]

I'm planning to start in September John, with the Lea Relief Channel and Frimley as my main venues for attack ! Come October it will be hard not to start with he bait fishing though, but you can do both at the same time I suppose !

DOC

[John_H]

I might see you at Frimley in September wielding the fly rod then, Doc. I am also going to try the Cotswolds pike fishery featured in IYCF a couple of months back.

20 years plus of game fishing only has left a mark in that I much prefer active methods, and I don't bait fish for pike any more. I guess that means an 8 to 10 week Pike season for me, or do you think a colossal booby or bomber inched along on a fast sink line might go for Pike in midwinter ?

[DOC]

Most of my pike flies are indeed just colossal booby lures. I think they will actually work better than normal lures, plugs and jerkbaits in the winter simply because you can retrieve them so much more slowly, barely moving them at all if necessary. I intend to keep trying it all through the winter (while bait fishing too of course !).

There is of course a very active form of bait fishing called "sink and draw" or "wobbling" which is another favourite of mine. This is just as active as fly fishing, except you don't have to struggle to cast those awkward pike flies to the required spot !


DOC

[John_H]

Very true, Doc.

I plan to make a start by using some of the flies developed in Northern Ireland and featured in the Alan Hannah book and video, ie Ballydoolagh bombers and Al's eels, both with buoyant booby type heads. Sounds as if it will be worth keeping going through midwinter, especially if the weather is reasonably kind.

[scorpio]

Tube flies and weighted lures usually outfish any other flies for pike,,, not the easiest to fish but work wonders... for more info on patterns for pike private me.... oh yes by the way big is not always the best when flyfishing for pike.

Tony

[John_H]

Thanks for the offer Tony - but why not make some of your ideas, especially on effective smaller patterns, public ? The group of prospective Pike flyfishers is quite small and it looks as if most of us are just starting. So as you have a head start I am sure we're all keen to learn...