Is 12 lb. mono heavy enough line for northern pike?or would braided line work better?

Question

Is 12 lb. mono heavy enough line for northern pike?or would braided line work better?

Answer 1

The 12 lb. test is heavy enough.  I've caught several pike in the 34" to 38" range on 4 lb. test, while I was fishing for pan fish.  You need to match your line to your bait...I would probably snap off a big bucktail just casting with 4 lb. test.  You might want to use a steel leader, to keep from getting bit off.  I have a spool of "toothy critter" wire in my tackle bag, it only takes a minute to make a leader.  The wire is brown colored at 17 lb. test, it's the same diameter as 6 lb. test mono.

Answer 2

In New York I fish for tiger muskies and I can net them with 10 lb test. My grandfather and I put on a swivel and a rapala and the tiger muskies rarely ever will bite over your line. 12 lb. mono will do great.  

Answer 3

The actual breaking strain of the main line, makes very little difference when it comes to pike what is important id your hook length, a steel leader is required to make sure its sharp teeth don't cut straight through you hook length, i use 15lb when fishing for pike, as long as the drag is set ive landed lots of them on 15lb with very little trouble, a pair of forceps is very important to remove the hook, braid for your main line might help you detect more bits but is not necessary.

Answer 4

as long as you  have a good drag and a 1 foot steel leader.

Answer 5

Of course not.  They have rather sharp teeth and 30 pound braided line would be safe.

Answer 6

12 lb. mono will be fine as long as you have the drag set properly on your reel and heed the advice about steel leaders. It's cheap insurance when you're throwing a $20.00 plug around these toothy critters. Don't forget catch & release! Good luck.

Answer 7

It really depends on how good of a fisher you are.  If your willing to put up the fight or no fight and just reel the fish in.  I know guys who caught 4 to 5 foot sturgeons on 6lbs.  Fought it for an Hour and a half.