Hi,

I am slowly putting my pike setup together (Ive have a rod) and will shortly have a reel. So I need to think about the rest of the setup. The rod is 9ft #9 so was planning on getting a #9 floater and intermediate (any recomendations would be good + cheap = good too) ?

So assuming ive got the line on my reel, what would you use from there on down to the fly and how would you set it up ?

Was thinking a braided loop, 15lb mono, wire trace, snaplink and a fly, but have no idea how people generally setup their pike gear (leader / trace lengths, trace type and attachement etc).

I have done a reasonable amount of fly fishing and a fair bit of coarse piking too so im not a complete beginner.

Also anyone know where I can get hold of some good value pike flies to get me started. Planning on tying my own after a while but would like a selection to play with first.

Cheers,

Rik

Hi Rik, I have for sale a new spool of 17lb berkley mono, full wire trace kit, inc. wire, crimps, snap swivels and pliers and also 10 pike flies - all unused as I never got round to pike fishing prior to me selling my rod. Are you interested?

Hi Rik

I've been using a 12 inch length of Drennan Green 24lb 7 strand Pike Wire, attached directly to the fly with Trace Builder 50/60lb monostop crimps, which are tiny. At the other end attach a size 16 barrel swivel and you're good to go. I tie the traces onto the flies before fishing and swap trace + fly.

Fulling Mill do a good range of pike flies. Been having a fair amount of action on 'Special All Pearl' - look at page 48 of the catalogue which you can see online here:

Fulling Mill Catalogue 2009

I suspect this fly's success is because the prey fish in the waters we've been fishing are mainly grayling, roach or skimmer bream, and I'd pick a fly that looks most like the bait fish in your water.

Hope that helps
Mal

__________________
http:www.fly-fish-yorkshire.co.uk

40 then 20 mono, carp/tippet ring, 8" surflon (american fishing wire) 7x7 strand 26lb, optional large crosslink snap or snood clip. Davy knots on the wire - looks like nothing but have faith.

Lines depend on your budget. Consider a #10 especially if you have a fast rod. Big fly lines tend to have short front tapers and aggressive WF heads eg rio outbound short. Rivers I like a hi-d sink tips, otherwise an intermediate rather than a floater.

Same as, but use 20lb mono straight through. As for lines I have been using shooting heads this year. Just started using the airflo ones from fishtec. They are not on there web site but have them in stock. Excellent lines 4 heads and running line with one reel, so easy to cast and great for turning over big flies.

speak to dougie or garioch on here... i use 44Ib seaguar . dont use 15Ib mono. way too light.

__________________
I HATE BUNGS.........

For cheap fly lines you can buy john noris big fly lines designed to cast big pike flys these will cost you £10 each and will do a good job to start with.

As for your set up i use 5ft of 25lb seaguar flourocarbon then a proleader trace and a clip for quick change of flys i agree with alex 15lb is a little light.

For great advice about pike fly fishing you should join the pike fly fishing association great blokes and very helpful on all aspects of pike fly fishing.

Taniwha rig for me and the Davy is a good un'.

Keep in mind the possibility of a sunk line and bouyant fly booby style approach.Can be deadly

Best JP

44lb!!

i take it your hoping the wire trace gives before you over strech/break the fly line if you get snagged?!

I understand if its the stiffness+turnover you need cause you can't possibly need the B.S

Trev

Thanks for all you replies. Looking forward to finalising the setup and getting amongst some pikeys. Seems to be a never ending money pit this fly fishing at the moment !

Still need to to buy:

A pike reel
Lines
A few more flies
Waders
A big pike net.

Then its Chew here I come