is it worthwhile to go now

[Black Plague]

I finally will have a week off ....due to school being out for Spring break March 12-17... and was wondering if it would even be worth my time to go up and try for some pike in the PO ...i always fish in early summer through late fall ...but have never fished it early spring except for last years pike tourney...in march when i only caught 1 fish out of 3 looks ...

also, technical question on gear choice and setup .... does 50 lb fluorocarbon leader work better for not getting cut then just 50 lb power pro line? .... i have never really used a leader much cust cuz I run a lot of spinnerbaits and have not had problems with them cutting me on a spinner ....but with little crankbaits and rapalas i have been cut when they inhale them ....??? thoughts?

[Natebg1]

Hey Black Plague,

Fluorocarbon leaders are OK, however I would personally suggest either a titanium leader or a light wire leader with about 30 lb braid behind it just for strength and castability. I personally think Sufix Braid is one of the top tier lines on the market but that is subject to everyone's opinion. I have used Power Pro and I can tell you from experience that Sufix braid is much smoother and seems to cast and reel much better than Power Pro. I also would suggest making sure to have a Strong O Clasp at the end of the leader you choose or have a double backing clip that are used for Salmon Fishing. Either one of these will work very well for what you are doing. Spinnerbaits, Spoons, and Swimbaits certainly aren't a bad way to start with Pike on the Pend Oreille. I have caught Pike on the Pend Oreille with all of these different type lures. Good luck and let us all know how you do. Tight Lines!

Nate "The Pike Baron"

[YJ Guide Service]

Natebg wire leaders? Have you ever fished with me lol...80lb flourocarbon leaders go stealth or go home lol...I agree with the heavy clasp though. I personally think its better if they cant see the leader. I bet I havent been bit off more than a handful of times ever with the heavy flourocarbon, even on Tigers. You have to use 80lb or bigger though. I use a 80lb flouro leader with 50lb braid, brand to me is all personal preference. I also agree on using Rapalas, hard swimbaits, spoons, anything you can fish slow. Fishing on the river this time of year is very very hit and miss to say the least. Water temps are still really cold. Heading up there tomorrow to see whats up, will have a report then. Water levels are going up but really slow. Think I'm going to fish Springers till the Pike heat up....I cant believe I just said that LOL..I'm sorry

[Natebg1]

Yes YJ you know me LOL... I still can't get that Mid-West mentality out of me. I am so used to wire but I really should look more towards the fluorocarbon leaders here in Washington. I do trust that what you are saying is probably very accurate especially being that the Pend Oreille is in your backyard! I will say this though, I usually go with a fluorocarbon leader when I use a soft jerk bait so that it doesn't take away from the action!

50 lb braid is certainly a good diameter and strength as well, it never hurts to go a little stronger, I just prefer 30 lb Sufix Braid because of the diameter, strength, and smoothness on the Rod and Reel. Plus, I can also tell you honestly that I have pulled my Grandfather's boat to shore from about a 50 yards out with this line, if that is not a selling point I don't know what is? Good Luck on the River tomorrow, just waiting for my vehicle to get out of the shop on Monday and then it will be back to fishing for me! Look forward to seeing everyone soon to come get some Pike and Walleye. Tight Lines

Nate

[AJ's Dad]

Braided line in gives no protection against getting bit off by a toothy fish of any kind. I watched a guy do a demo for me one day at the old Joes sporting Goods in the Spokane Valley, showing a knife blade drug across a braided line and a monofiliment line. The mono actually held up better. (Thank you Keith Hoffman) I started using Flourocarbon leaders only 2 years ago. Before that I was strictly a steel leader guy. I lost a ton of spinnerbaits by getting bit off before going to the wire leaders. I have even been bitten off with steel though, make sure you use at least a 9"er. In 2010 I started off using 30lb flouro, needless to say, I got bit off a few times. I bumped up to 50lb last year and only lost 2 fish by getting bit off. This year I have some 60lb in the boat but only because I couldn't find any 80lb. If anyone knows where I can go pick up some 80lb in the Spokane area, I would love to hear where it is.

Another option I have been using is the tieable wire. Last year I started using the AFW Surflon that I got from Cabelas. I have never been bitten off when using it, but it does tend to curl a little after a few bites when I have used it with soft plastic baits. This stuff is coated with a nylon or something and ties very easily, better than the heavy flourocarbon lines. It comes in different lb tests but I have never been bitten off even when using the 17lb version. It's nice and thin and doesn't show up too bad in the water. You can tie it or use the crimp sleeves, which I prefer. If you look for it at Cabelas, they keep it in the fly fishing section at the store near my house.

PS.
If your headed to the POR this early, fish slow, very slow. You might want to take some dead bait along with you as well.

Good luck

[YJ Guide Service]

LOL go get some springers Nate, at least one for me. Well be heading that way soon for some...Seth at AX Tackle sells it. He's in the process of moving out to the valley though. I'm heading to the river now so talk to you all later...

[Mark K]

I just got back from the river with Doug W. It was REALLY slow for us. Doug ended up with one 19" brown, and we only seen one pike. She wasn't too interested though. A really lazy follow under the bait. Water temps were 36-37 degrees. Sloughs are shallow and frozen, and water clarity was just ok in most places. It got muddy in other places along the shore. We didn't see you out there Craig, its probably because you were where the fish were at and we werent

[YJ Guide Service]

Thats true lol checkout the reports ......Pink flasher and crankbait Mark lol

[dougw]

I too was very ingrained in using the wire leaders like you Nate. I have since become a believer in the fluorocarbon. I have used 30#, 50#, 80# and some 120# premade leaders. I prefer the 50# for workability. I have yet to be bit off on any of the weights. That being said, I am likely going to stick with the 80# this summer.

I have had 1 break-off, but it was on the braid. I have a feeling the fish rolled several times and got to the braid. My leaders are usually very long compared to most. I prefer to start with about 24". My reasoning is that I direct tie to my lures, so after changing lures out a couple of times, I am having to replace the leader. Sounds like a lot of leader wasted, but in reality I don't generally change a lot. I like to have 2 spare rods sitting with alternate lures to try. Faster, and makes for more time in the water with the lure.