|
|
Posts: 2
| Hello all, I am new to the forum, and wanted input from musky veterans. After trying several times this summer I finally set the hook into musky yesterday. However five seconds after having the fish on the line went limp and he was gone : ( I reeled in to find my lure, leader, and the whole works was gone. Is it possible to have a fish inhale a bait thoroughly enough to bite you off above the leader? I was using a J mac jig with shad body trailer, and a 12 inch musky innovations fluorocarbon 80 lb leader. Should I just up my leader length to 18 inches? Or could there have been a weak point in my braid just above the knot that gave out? |
|
| |
|
| I use about 18-20 inches of 60-80lb fluoro on my jig rod. I also have been using 70lb coated wire that you can tie, it is just more convenient than tying fluoro. BR |
|
| |
|
Posts: 360
Location: Algonac, MI | A betting guy would say, there was a nick in the line, being it cut above your leader and you were using braid.
However, with that said, we use 8' leaders trolling LSC. We get bit off above the leader on occassion. We have found muskie will hit the sinker attached between main line and leader. Also, they miss the sinker, and hit the line above the leader.
(We know they hit sinkers, because we have put barbless trebles on the sinkers to 'catch weeds', and have landed multiple muskies on the sinker/hook setup...hooked in the mouth, not snagged)
It is possible, one tried hit your swivel (assuming you hook your leader to a snap swivel)
Edited by Contender 10/7/2013 9:10 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | What braid were you using? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2893
Location: Yahara River Chain | More likely your knot failed. Some cut the tag end too close and any tension, the knot will slip just a tiny bit and the leader (or bait) is gone. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| I would also have to bet a nick in the line. I will check the first 5 feet of line all the time and re tie if i see anything.
Edited by Slow Rollin 10/7/2013 9:26 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 386
| Failed knot, more than likely. |
|
| |
|
| To answer your question, a 12" leader is fine and there is no need to go to a longer leader.
Agree that your issue was with your line, either a nick in the line or problem with then know. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1168
| gopackgo - 10/7/2013 9:27 AM
Failed knot, more than likely.
+1.
Palomar knot, very simple to tie and has never failed me.
|
|
| |
|
| I was using 65lb firline, tied with a palomar knot to a musky innovations leader. Usually when a knot fails the area that was knotted looks slightly kinked . That was not the case in this instance, it looked like someone tried to cut it with a blunt knife and had to saw at it a little. I have been tying palomar knots into braided line bass fishing for years and have never had tied an unsuccessful knot, so in all honesty i seriously it was my knot. I am leaning towards a weak point in the line that gave out at this point. |
|
| |
|
| I would not be using fluorocarbon leaders to begin with, especially when using a jig or a bulldawg. How many people actually think a Muskies teeth will cut through 80 pound braid easier than a fluorocarbon leader? You are fooling yourself. Flourocarbon is weak to begin with... which is one reason you need to retie often when using it for Bass.
Unfortunately you may have had a nic in your line. Fortunately this issue is correctable and can be prevented in the Future. I would suggest using a single/solid wire steel leader or a stranded/flexible wire leader at all times. The fish could care less if they see the leader or not and baits work perfectly fine with them. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1098
| I had a 42 inch pike, mess up the first 2½ feet of my 3 foot leader, i think it hit in front of the bait, and when i set the hook i hooked it just behind the gills. I got it in the boat with the leader sitting across the inside of the mouth and the tube on the side of the head.
So i think it is possible for a fish to bite of the hole leader. |
|
| |
|
| I would not worry about using 60-80lb fluoro if you are using a jigging set up. If you are using your standard musky rod with a locked down drag you might have issues. I use 104lb single, 70lb coated, and 60-80lb fluoro and have not had bite off issues at all. Match your equipment to the task and you typically do not have failures. BR |
|
| |
|
Posts: 21
| Any bait with a pull pause retrieve I do not use a flouro leader, I have had fish miss the bait and go through the leader. Uncommon but not a far stretch to have one go through the line.
|
|
| |
|
| Could be the musky never hit the lure, but hit ahead of the lure and got caught on the line briefly. I have seen it happen with surface lures. Had a walk the dog style on a couple weeks ago and a small musky came completly out of the water well ahead of the lure and got the line instead of the lure. It took lure and line under briefly and then was gone. I cut the bottom two feet of line off and retied. Not the first time I have had that happen on top water, either have the fish hit the leader or line ahead of the lure. Could see where it could easily happen with a jig as well. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2
| For the record I was using a "flippin stick" rod with a low profile revo reel, and the drag set to have a little give. Its basically a "doug stange special" set-up. I also just had the thought that the last three times I went out I was river fishing which means lots of wood and some rocks and I only re-tied once, after a snag and I retied just a little above where I had to cut the line. I am thinking it a good idea to cut off three or so feet of line after a few times fishing around rocks and wood. Also thinking of going to a 7 strand leader. |
|
| |
|
| 7 strands start to look ugly real quick, but still a much better solution than a fluorocarbon leader. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 87
Location: Minnesota Metro | It's absolutely possible to have one inhale the bait that much. One thing I've noticed is that muskie do inhale the soft plastics a lot. The storm swim baits are really popular down at Lake Shelbyville, and I've seen the lures down coming out the gills before. When they really want it it's just history. I've never used the type of jig you're talking about, but I could see it happen. |
|
| |
|
| The obvious things to think through are the knot and line strength. Line can be weakened with age or damage from wear. Make sure your knots are fool proof. |
|
| |
bite off above leader?