Where the fish at?, Seem scattered

Chingachcook.. have you considered a flourocarbon leader?

Calm water and a heddon torpedo has given me some amazingly fun evenings on the water! Smallies and pike though, it's not a "weed friendly" bait. We've had northerns leap out of the water like a tarpon on the strike. Pinching down the barbs makes things easy when they get to the boat.

No sir.. not until now.

My b*tch and its a legit b*tch at least according to me :-) is that to get the best action off the frogs and raps we tie up directly to the bait.... which with Mr. Pike on the prowl is pretty GD tough cuz they can and do simply slice through the monofilament...

Your idea is a really good interim idea/solution. I tried the metal leaders but for my buck I got no signficant action off he Frogs or the floating Raps in the swamp/weedbeds. Fluorcarbon might get the same action as a direct tie up. I am game to try.

I will be off to my local supplier (in Unionville of all places) to pick up some flurocarbon leaders... Will let ya know if your a genius.

You can try 10-15lb coated steel (I make my own leaders - some $2 barrel crimps, a cheap pair of pliers with a crimp tool and you're golden). It's subtle enough to not really impact action, but my issue with it is a couple thrashing hammer handles boatside and it kinks/bends pretty bad. Better than losing prized hardware I guess, though.

I tried 35lb flouro leader material to try and keep the small northerns at bay when targeting bass/'eyes.. they cut it too, but guys have been using the heavier stuff with success for a long time.