Will be taking our first east side trip to the Gunflint side starting May 14th. Tuscarora-Gillis loop, so primarily lake trout (hopefully still shallow) will be the main fishing. Most of these lakes do not appear to have the forage base to grow large lake trout, but apparently there are some large northerns. This will be our first trip that specifically targets lakers, and I understand that wire leaders should not be used for lakers. But the potential for large pile has me intrigued, and I would be willing to reduce the laker bite for a better opportunity to land a large pike. I am looking for opinions on whether the trade-off of using leaders is worth it. We plan to troll and cast relatively shallow for lakers with flashy spoons or more natural Rapalas. Does a thin wire leader make that much difference with lakers if they are already attacking a shiny piece of metal?
Thank you in advance for the advice!
Scott

Look into the Titanium leaders, they are much thinner, stronger and don't kink. The shallows in spring hold big pike, not sure but I think also lakers.

Personally I wouldn't use leaders if I was mainly targeting lake trout. I'd rather catch more lakers without using leader and (possibly) lose a spoon or 2 to pike than saving (possibly) a spoon or 2 and catching fewer lakers. I had my best laker fishing experience on Gillis a few years back during the same time frame that you're in the area. Not any big fish....mostly 18-20 inchers. But it was the shear numbers we caught in 2.5 days. The bite was definately on. You might want to check out Crooked as long as you're in the area. Crooked also has good laker fishing.

if trolling a leader to cover both , but as Mr. B said not needed for lakers , but lakers dont shy away from #10-#12 + line.

The thin diameter of the knot2kinky leader material has to be seen to be fully appreciated. I have a friend who uses it for all purpose trolling and catches plenty of walleye to prove the point. In 12 or 16lb test the stuff is scary thin and in all but super clear water (as opposed to dark) I wouldn't be fearful of using it.

Be advised you have to "build" your own leaders (you can tie knots with it) which can have some distinct advantages. For example you can incorporate small black ball bearing swivels into your set up if spoons are your primary weapon of choice. Also be advised that spoons need a bit of free swing to them so don't go to small on the snap unless the spoon also has a split ring (then a very small but strong snap would be ideal). 9" is about right.........6" is a bit short for spoons IMO.

What I would do is have one rod rigged with the wire and one with straight mono. If the mono gets the bites then switch up. If it seems not to matter then run both lines with the wire and hopefully it will come in handy.

I wouldn't use a leader while targeting lake trout, you will catch your share of pike while fishing for trout I am sure. If you are going to target big pike, then use a titanium leader. They cost more, but are well worth the extra cost.

You can sometimes get away with rapalas and pike with no leader but spoons they often tend to nip off.

I will beg to differ with some of the other highly esteemed posters who will point you to pre made titanium leaders.......they are good for pike fishing IMO as that is their intended purpose.

But, if you want a cross over leader to cover all purpose fishing including lakers as well as walleye, then you should look into the Knot2Kinky wire is the smallish lb tests. The difference is fairly dramatic in visibility and needs be seen to fully comprehend. And yes if the place where you are going is noted for outsize northern I am sympathetic with your thinking of having some protection in hopes of landing a trophy torpedo.

The biggest caveat is if the water is clear and the primary target is lakers you will have to take your chances with mono or fluorocarbon. If it is dark (tannin stained) I would advocate for the Knot2Kinky over titanium due to its hairlike thin diameter. Be certain to firmly test all your work. Also be advised you will be unable to "horse" a big pike or lake trout in but will rather have to be played since the Lb test of the Knot2kinky should be light (12, 14 or at most 16).

I'm leaving mid May to target lakers in Quetico. I have a few 15 pound test pre-made titanium leaders I plan on using because I don't want to lose my spoons, crankbaits and stickbaits to the inevitable northern pike. You guys really think that's going to cut down on laker bites? Walleye don't seem to mind hitting lures with a titanium leader, but this is the first trip where I'm going during prime laker time just for them. Don't want it to be a bust, but don't want to throw away expensive lures either.

quote mastertangler: "I would advocate for the Knot2Kinky over titanium due to its hairlike thin diameter."

A quick note that this product mentioned is also titanium. Never used it but I had to say something before anyone is led to believe it is made out of unicorn hair.

quote sinking3: "

quote mastertangler: "I would advocate for the Knot2Kinky over titanium due to its hairlike thin diameter."

A quick note that this product mentioned is also titanium. Never used it but I had to say something before anyone is led to believe it is made out of unicorn hair."

Indeed........good catch. The point I am making is instead of getting pre-made titanium leaders which usually test out at 30lbs or perhaps much more and cost around $10 a piece a fellow could make some for probably 1/2 that price and have a leader which is much less obtrusive as per thinblueline.

I had always pooh-poohed the concept of wire for fish like Lakers and walleye but concede that if your wire is thin enough it may only make a difference under very particular and specific circumstances.

quote mastertangler: "You can sometimes get away with rapalas and pike with no leader but spoons they often tend to nip off.
MT how small are those spoons your using for pike ?

my bad you must be using your little brown trout pattern in pike waters ;)

If the bite is on it probably won't matter. If it's on/off I would not want to target lakers with a leader. Generally I target lakers and pike in different structure too.

If you're worried about loosing tackle start with a leader and then drop it if you aren't catching. I personally prefer catching fish though over tackle shrinkage. ;)

quote mastertangler: "

quote sinking3: "

quote mastertangler: "I would advocate for the Knot2Kinky over titanium due to its hairlike thin diameter."

A quick note that this product mentioned is also titanium. Never used it but I had to say something before anyone is led to believe it is made out of unicorn hair."

Indeed........good catch. The point I am making is instead of getting pre-made titanium leaders which usually test out at 30lbs or perhaps much more and cost around $10 a piece a fellow could make some for probably 1/2 that price and have a leader which is much less obtrusive as per thinblueline.


I had always pooh-poohed the concept of wire for fish like Lakers and walleye but concede that if your wire is thin enough it may only make a difference under very particular and specific circumstances. "

Wait a second, did MT just drop cost savings and fishing gear into One post? ;)

Thank you for all the replies! To clarify, I expect to come home with less lures, and I am more concerned with landing a large pike instead of being bitten off if it does not significantly reduce our chances with the lakers. I will finally pay for the titanium leaders and let my brother start out leaderless to see how it goes.

MT - do you know any retailers locally in Minnesota that carry Knot2Kinky? If I need to order it, I'll skip it for this trip.

probably need to order off line .

quote Abbey: "Thank you for all the replies! To clarify, I expect to come home with less lures, and I am more concerned with landing a large pike instead of being bitten off if it does not significantly reduce our chances with the lakers. I will finally pay for the titanium leaders and let my brother start out leaderless to see how it goes.


MT - do you know any retailers locally in Minnesota that carry Knot2Kinky? If I need to order it, I'll skip it for this trip. "

Well any of the big box stores carry it. Remember, you must "build" the leader so that means swivels (ball bearing if spoons are used) and cross lock snaps. Think quality and think small otherwise you are defeating the purpose. If you use small snaps however your spoons will need a split ring as they need freedom to work properly. Just attach the small cross lock to the split ring. When Kingfisher sent me some leaders he had constructed the most noticeable thing was how small the swivel (tiny spro brand) and how tiny the cross lock was. I was like........Hmmmm, wow, thats actually quite discreet. He uses them mostly for trolling crank baits but it was certainly an education as to "finesse steel". You must check all work.........a vice is handy.

If you purchase pre made titanium leaders (yes the quality ones will cost about $10 but will last a lifetime) you might as well use it and actually pike fish with one rod and target them specifically with a bit larger offering. DO NOT.......try and save a few bucks and purchase packs of wires leaders, especially those shiny stainless steel ones. They are quite prone to failure........if you doubt my word test them yourself and watch the crimps fail ;O

Like the others said, go with something titanium. They will last as a great investment over the other crap that's cheaper. Personally I use a leader when targeting lake trout. Just peace of mind is all.