2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

If you don't want to chance losing lures to Esox up here you got two choices....wire leader...or don't fish.

I've been using Seaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader material.  Its specifically designed as a leader to resist those teeth.  I used 20 pound test last season.  Just like any other fluorocarbon, you need to regularly inspect it and check it for wear or nicks.  I am going to try 30 pound this season if its not too stiff to tie knots with.

 

I only use blue label when I'm technically bass fishing so I don't lose certain lures.  When I'm specifically targeting muskies, I use steel or titanium leaders.  A steel or titanium or wire leader will inhibit certain bass lures and affect the action, which is the reason for using blue label.

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

I've been using Seaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader material.  Its specifically designed as a leader to resist those teeth.  I used 20 pound test last season.  Just like any other fluorocarbon, you need to regularly inspect it and check it for wear or nicks.  I am going to try 30 pound this season if its not too stiff to tie knots with.

 

I only use blue label when I'm technically bass fishing so I don't lose certain lures.  When I'm specifically targeting muskies, I use steel or titanium leaders.  A steel or titanium or wire leader will inhibit certain bass lures and affect the action, which is the reason for using blue label.

I'm glad it's working for you - I've used it twice and it got cut both times (the fish that cut it were big).

What lures to feel wire will inhibit the action of?  I've got wire all the way down to 12#.

You're not a rookie at this, so either you're doing something I don't do, in terms of lures, or I have something to learn.

 

1 hour ago, Further North said:

What lures to feel wire will inhibit the action of?

Primarily the more expensive, hard bait lures like a jerk bait, crank bait, chatter bait, or spinner bait. Some of the lakes I fish in around have pretty clear water so I need something other than a metal leader but I also need something that helps reduce bite offs.

 

I should say that it doesn’t completely prevent a bite off. But it does reduce it significantly. I inspect it frequently for problems and re-tie when necessary.

22 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Primarily the more expensive, hard bait lures like a jerk bait, crank bait, chatter bait, or spinner bait.

That explains most of it...I seldom use the first three, and I don't think a tieable wire leader impacts spinner baits...I catch bunches of fish a year on them, with wire.

 

24 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I should say that it doesn’t completely prevent a bite off. But it does reduce it significantly. I inspect it frequently for problems and re-tie when necessary.

?

Most of the time, I'm just targeting fish, but I catch mostly smallmouth because they are plentiful and aggressive.  If I'm on the St. Lawrence, I'm targeting deep smallmouth and don't catch much of anything different.

As far as non-bass species, it's pike, walleye, and various species of panfish.