I'm used to using microleaders, even while bass fishing up North. I don't want to lose lures or miss huge fish if a pike or walleye hits. But then I'm worried the leader is scaring the bass away. Better ideas?

I don't like using leaders when fishing bass, and usually I am willing to lose a few lures to pike. That being said, if the bass are aggressive and the pike numerous, I'll throw on a titanium one. They're spendy but worth it.

You won’t lose any lures to a walleye that you wouldn’t lose to a bass.

You can either roll the dice with no leader and risk losing a lure or six to some northerns, or you can guarantee less bites from bass and walleyes and keep all of your lures with a leader attached.

Never tie on a lure that you are afraid to lose. (Grandpa's flatfish willed to me is at the bottom of some UP lake)

If you lose a huge fish, continue fishing. (We still talk about Al's monster lake trout lost on Ottertrack Lake).

Use leaders if you like. (or not)

My approach splits the difference. I make my own leaders out of 20lb flourocarbon a snap and a swivel. It doesnt seem to bothe the eyes and bronzebacks and they are seldom damaged by pike. The gill plate is what gets you.

mrballast: "My approach splits the difference. I make my own leaders out of 20lb flourocarbon a snap and a swivel. It doesnt seem to bothe the eyes and bronzebacks and they are seldom damaged by pike. The gill plate is what gets you."

I think it's safe to say that 20lb FC isn't much in the way of pike insurance.

I have had them breeze through 30 and 40 FC instantly. The thing about pike is you never know. I have caught a boat load with 4, 6 and 8 lb line with no leader. You can do a whole 2 week trip and never lose a fish.........and then you can lose 3 lures in a day.

If your intent on using wire and want it as discreet as possible build your own with Knot2kinky titanium leader material in 14 or 12lb test. Extremely hair thin leader material. Throw in some tiny cross lock snaps and tiny spro barrel swivels and you actually have something which will still fool walleye.

carmike: "I don't like using leaders when fishing bass, and usually I am willing to lose a few lures to pike. That being said, if the bass are aggressive and the pike numerous, I'll throw on a titanium one. They're spendy but worth it. "

+1

carmike: "I don't like using leaders when fishing bass, and usually I am willing to lose a few lures to pike. That being said, if the bass are aggressive and the pike numerous, I'll throw on a titanium one. They're spendy but worth it. "

+1

That must be +2 since it posted twice ;)

mastertangler: "

mrballast: "My approach splits the difference. I make my own leaders out of 20lb flourocarbon a snap and a swivel. It doesnt seem to bothe the eyes and bronzebacks and they are seldom damaged by pike. The gill plate is what gets you."

I think it's safe to say that 20lb FC isn't much in the way of pike insurance.
I have had them breeze through 30 and 40 FC instantly. The thing about pike is you never know. I have caught a boat load with 4, 6 and 8 lb line with no leader. You can do a whole 2 week trip and never lose a fish.........and then you can lose 3 lures in a day.
If your intent on using wire and want it as discreet as possible build your own with Knot2kinky titanium leader material in 14 or 12lb test. Extremely hair thin leader material. Throw in some tiny cross lock snaps and tiny spro barrel swivels and you actually have something which will still fool walleye. "

i've wondered this very thing and am glad for the question. having made leaders from knot2kinky 20# (good stuff and i'll never purchase a pre-made leader again) perhaps going down to 12# or 14# would do the trick for bass and walleye...
what would an example of a 'micro-leader' be?

I'll go with plus 3,4,5. No leaders. Effects presentation etc, etc, etc

QueticoMike: "That must be +2 since it posted twice ;)"

so that makes me 4+

QueticoMike: "That must be +2 since it posted twice ;)"

That's the most "plus ones" I've ever received! :)