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Pike on a Fly

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:07 pm
by njcatchrelease
I want to target Pike on a fly this year. This will be something new for me and I have been reading info different websites and talking with a few people and I am still not sure what type of leader to go with. Some say just a heavy mon some say tieable wire is a must. Anyone here fish for pike with a fly rod? If so can you tell me your setup and give me some advice. Also I am assuming that pike will tear the crap out of my flies. I haven't started tying my own yet and would like to know if anyone has found a source for inexpensive but quality flies.

Tight Lines,
Al

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 4:48 pm
by lightenup
i would use wire, just not to take any chances ...I have spin fished in Canada, not targeting pike, if you accidentally hooked one the rig was gone..so we fished walleye and smallies with thin wire and had no issues. it even worked on smallies top-water. But that was in my slummin' days... :D

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 6:25 am
by Bob J
Tiable wire for sure. I think it will prevent other species from striking, but when after toothy critters it's a must! (Mono is akin to taking a knife to a gun fight IMHO)

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 6:59 am
by MR.MCR
Inexpensive and quality usually dont go together.....most likely the inexpensive flies wont last too long......John Collins use to tie a lot for me....you can reach him through Shannons Fly Shop in Califon.......

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 8:56 am
by Twism86
Bob J wrote:
Fri May 11, 2018 6:25 am
Tiable wire for sure. I think it will prevent other species from striking, but when after toothy critters it's a must! (Mono is akin to taking a knife to a gun fight IMHO)
Mono and pike/pickerel is a quick way to lose that battle. The pickerel at my lake in PA cost me way too many lures each year.......

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 9:44 pm
by Rusty Spinner
They make some very thin wire you can tie that does the trick nicely and I don't think it spooks other fish too much. They say the same about False Albacore, but I have caught some from the surf on flies with wire meant for the marauding bluefish all around on those days. With Albies, sometimes you only get one quick shot at them and you won't always have time to tie on a new fly and remove the wire bite tippet.

Best pike flies are tied of man-made synthetics that stand up to the toothy bastiges. They eat furs and feathers, so go long and go strong. Anything gaudy or even fish-like often works. Just think like woolly buggers in coloration - olives, blacks, browns, and whites with some flash tossed in often does the trick.

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 6:08 pm
by Castaline
I too am looking for pike on a fly in NJ and have been doing some research. I did get two last yr that were not that big and they were both caught with 25 Mason Hard Mono. I also got LMB on the pike flies with Mono and I am not sure this would have happened with wire. This is the stuff that Barry Reynolds recommends in his book Pike on the Fly. I was skeptical of this Hard Mono but it works and Barry recommends it and has used it for years on Pike. It is tough stuff. I am going this route and will keep you posted. The use of 25 lbs is key. I think it will hold up.

Re: Pike on a Fly

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:23 am
by Twism86
I havent caught a pike in a long while! Ive had follows at Hopatcong and from Musky in some of the stocked waters but nothing on the line yet.