What Strength Braid For Pike Lure Fishing?
Pike fish are known to be notorious predators that can be difficult to catch, but that’s what makes targeting them exciting. A strong braided line is definitely what you need to increase your chances of getting all the pike you dream of.
So, what strength of braid do you need for pike fishing? The strength of the braided line that’s recommended by most anglers when fishing for pike is 30lb to 40lb. A stronger line will carry more weight and prevent pike from biting through the line easily.
Keep reading to get a better understanding of why line strength matters when it comes to fishing for Pike and how to choose the right line. If you’re in a hurry, you can also check the best braided lines here.
Table of Contents
Why Does Line Strength Matter in Pike Fishing?
Pike fish are quite big with extremely sharp teeth that give them the ability to bite through most kinds of lines easily. They are also known to be hard fighters.
Line strength, also known as line breaking strain, is basically how much weight your line can take before it breaks. The bigger the fish you are targeting the higher the breaking strain on the line needs to be.
Another factor that is directly affected by line strain is the line diameter or the thickness of the line. The higher the breaking strain of a line the thicker the line is.
So, choosing a line with a high breaking means you’ll have a strong thick line that can carry the weight of the pike and won’t be easily damaged from their sharp teeth.
How to Choose the Right Line for Pike Fishing?
Choosing your line can depend on your preference and what you expect to get out of each type.
Check this quick comparison between different types of lines to understand better what you’ll get out of each line:
| Monofilament | Fluorocarbon | Braided |
|---|---|---|
| Low breaking strain | Higher breaking strain than mono | High breaking strain |
| Very stretchy | Less stretch than mono | Zero stretch |
| High memory | High memory | No memory |
| The least expensive | More expensive than mono but less expensive than Braid | The most expensive |
| It’s translucent, so it’s not very visible in water | It’s the least visible in water | It’s not translucent, so it’s the most visible in water |
| Resistant to abrasion damage but susceptible to Uv light damage | More resistant to both abrasion damage and UV light damage | Least resistant to abrasion damage |
Both Mono and braid lines are the most common choices when it comes to Pike fishing. Fluorocarbon is more preferred as a leader.
Choosing your line can also depend on which fishing technique you’re using. By choosing the line that’s suitable for your specific technique for targeting pike, you’ll definitely increase your chances of successfully catching more pike.
- If your technique is trolling or using live bait, the best option is to use a monofilament line.
- If your technique is spinning or using dead bait, the best option is to use a braided line.
You can check the best monofilament lines here as well.
What Makes Braided Line the Best Choice for Pike Fishing?
Braided lines are made up of several strands of fiber weaved together to make a single line. The material used is in manufacturing them a synthetic fiber coated with Teflon.
The composition of Braided lines makes them stiffer than other lines with a significantly higher break strain. This means they can carry the large weight of Pike fish. They’re also thick enough that Pike won’t be able to bite through them.
Braided lines are also best if you’re looking for a longer lasting strong line. It’s also good when it comes to casting with accuracy and casting for long distances.
Top Picks Of Braided Lines
Here are some of the top-rated braided lines that you can find on Amazon:
How to Properly Maintain Your Braided Line?
Here some pro tips you can follow that will help you take care of your braided line:
- Store your line in a cool dark place. Exposure to heat and light can negatively impact its life span and make it more prone to damage.
- Check your fishing line for signs of abrasion damage by pulling some line from the reel, pinching it between your finger and thumb, and running your fingers along the line to feel for any rough spots. This is very important since braid is the most prone to abrasion damage.
- Clean your line often, especially after fishing on saltwater. It’s recommended to wash it with soap for 15 minutes to remove all salt because the salt can make the line stiffer, which may lead to damage.
- Soak your line in warm water before spooling to help reduce any tangles or line twists
Related Questions
Why Do You Need to Use Wire Traces for Pike Fishing?
You need to use wire traces for pike fishing because the Pike’s teeth can easily cut through normal monofilament and braided hook lengths, so to stop the fish from becoming tethered to treble hooks you need to use a wire trace of at least 10 inches in length.
What Do You Need to Remove a Hook from Pike Fish?
To remove a hook from pike fish you need long needle-nose pliers, a jaw spreader, and a fish lip gripper. It’s very important to pay attention to the pike’s sharp teeth and serrated gill during this process, as you might injure yourself.
Why Do You Need a Leader for Pike Fishing?
You need to use a leader when you’re fishing for pike because they have sharp teeth, and they might bite through mono or braided lines. Using a strong fluorocarbon or steel leader will likely reduce the risk of damaging your mainline and losing your catch.
What Kind of Bait Do You Need to Use for Pike Fishing?
The kind of bait you need to use for pike fishing is live or dead bait. Another option is artificial bait. Both of them are good, but often using artificial baits can get you more pike, while using real fish get you larger pike.
How Often Do You Need to Change Your Pike Line?
If you’re using a mono line, you’ll need to change it 3 to 4 times a year. If you’re using a braided line, you’ll need to change it 1 to times a year. Multiple factors can also affect whether you need to change your line or not such as frequency of use. Generally speaking, you will have to change your mono line way more often than your braid line.
Helpful Resources
Do you need a braided line for pike fishing
