whats the best leader material to use when fishing poppers for pike.  lost two poppers and one frog.  used titanium leader but on the pause the leader sinks and causes the lure to point down. it also impedes the action.

Do you use tie-able titanium wire or pre-made leaders with the big snaps and swivels? How long is your leader? These things can make a big difference.

Muskie, if you're talking average pike in the 10-12 pound range, I've had reasonable success with Mason Hard Nylon in 25lb. for fishing topwaters.  While it isn't foolproof, I've had better luck with that than fluorocarbon.  If you're getting into bigger pike than that, I'd go to straight titanium wire in either 18 (if you can find it) or 30 (more readily available.)  Use as short a section as you think you can get away with and it's a non-issue.  In smaller diameters because of its flexibility and behaviour, it really doesn't impede the action of your baits.