Northern pike are aggressive, angry fish with hundreds of sharp teeth. They can also grow quite large. Make sure you have the right fishing line to not only hold up against the pikes sharp teeth, but be able to pull them clear of the snags as well.
Quick Look
- 25-40 lb. Test
- Best: Braid
- Good: 12 lb. Test Mono or Fluoro
- Leader: 30 lb. Test Steel Leaders
Why Braid Fishing Line For Pike?
Pike anglers often choose braided fishing line because of it’s strength and durability. Pike are ambush predators that live around thick cover. Braid allows you to pull the fish out of the cover quickly to avoid getting snagged.
Since braid has such a thin diameter relative to strength, you can get away with using a much stronger lb. test than if you were using fluoro or mono.
Braid also does a better job of cutting through the weeds when a big pike gets you wrapped up.
What lb. Test Fishing Line For Pike?
If you are using braid, then you can use 30 to 40 lb. test line. This will help you to get control of the pike quickly and keep it away from the snags. If you want to use fluorocarbon or monofilament, then go with 12 lb. test for good castability.
What Leader Material For Pike?
Since pike have sharp teeth, you should use a leader that can hold up to the abrasion. You can use heavy fluorocarbon or braid, but it is best to use steel wire leaders.
The recommended leader for targeting big pike is 30 lb. test steel wire. The benefit of steel leaders is not only complete abrasion resistance, but also that they prevent your line from getting caught up in the hooks of jerkbaits and topwater lures.
You can also use fluorocarbon leaders. If this is your choice, then you’ll need to use 80 to 100 lb. test to protect against those teeth.
You can buy premade leaders in either fluorocarbon or wire. I recommend buying premade leaders until you know what you like, and if it is worth making your own.
Can You Fish For Pike With Fluorocarbon?
You can catch pike on fluorocarbon fishing line, but most anglers prefer braid. If you want to use fluorocarbon, go with 12 to 15 lb. test. Any bigger and you will lose castability.
If you are already spooled up with fluorocarbon in the proper range, then you can get away with it. The disadvantages of fluorocarbon for pike is that it stretches and you can’t use as high of a lb. test.
The stretch can help with holding the hook in the mouth, but you give up a little control. Having the control of braid helps you to pull the fish away from the snags.
Because of the high memory of fluorocarbon, you lose casting distance when you get above 20 lb. test.
Fluorocarbon does have better abrasion resistance than monofilament, so it is a better choice than mono.
Can You Fish For Pike With Monofilament?
You can catch pike on monofilament fishing line, but it isn’t the best option. Most pike anglers choose braid or even fluorocarbon over mono. Mono has the most stretch, and least abrasion resistance.
You can definitely still catch pike and have fun doing it with mono. So if it is all you have, or all you can afford, don’t let me stop you. Mono is the cheapest option of the three.
You should use 12 to 15 lb. test mono and be sure to add a steel or heavy fluoro carbon leader to protect against the sharp teeth.
Mono is slightly less abrasion resistant than fluorocarbon, so be careful to keep the fish out of the weeds, rocks and sticks. If you do get pulled through some debris, make sure you check your line for any damage.
