Is a thicker braid line less likely to be "bitten off" than a thinner line?

[Bridges]

As in pike for example.
0.19mm braid vs. 0.23 braid

[hollydog57]

if btten by a pike, walleye etc then no their teeth are sharp, thats why i use a titanium leader, (same metal i got in my hip joint).

[Fishing4Trains]

Braid, mono and flouro can all be bitten off equally by pike and other toothy predators. Always use a titanium leader if these fish are likely to take.

[vodou61]

Lowering your drag can prevent bite-offs.

[Bridges]

I should have clarified. I do use a titanium leader with pike. But would a thicker braid also help to keep them from biting through?

[Bridges]

Originally posted by vodou61:

Lowering your drag can prevent bite-offs.

I have all of my reels set to where the tension is 2 red bars from max. { Are you saying if I drop the drag { say, out of the red zone altogether }, I would have fewer "bitten off" incidents?

Thanks for the help again everyone.

[Fishing4Trains]

Originally posted by vodou61:

Lowering your drag can prevent bite-offs.

Only if you don't mind playing a big fish all day!

[Fishing4Trains]

Originally posted by Hyperion: Titan of Light:

Originally posted by vodou61:

Lowering your drag can prevent bite-offs.

I have all of my reels set to where the tension is 2 red bars from max. { Are you saying if I drop the drag { say, out of the red zone altogether }, I would have fewer "bitten off" incidents?

Thanks for the help again everyone.

Get the tension as close to the red as you can without actually touching it. This means your tackle is in complete harmony and you are utilising the rod, reel and line to maximum efficiency.
As for not using a titanium leader, well sooner or later a big pike or muskie will bite you off and you'll not only lose the fish but the lure as well...I've had it happen with an alligator gar too. Anything with teeth basically, you'll be using them a lot in S. America and Africa!

[Bridges]

Originally posted by CountVonCarstein:

Originally posted by vodou61:

Lowering your drag can prevent bite-offs.

Only if you don't mind playing a big fish all day!

I hear you, but, just to clarify, for my own knowledge.... If I lower the drag say 1 setting, would that make it less likely I will be bitten off. or no?

[Bridges]

Originally posted by CountVonCarstein:

Originally posted by Hyperion: Titan of Light:

I have all of my reels set to where the tension is 2 red bars from max. { Are you saying if I drop the drag { say, out of the red zone altogether }, I would have fewer "bitten off" incidents?

Thanks for the help again everyone.

Get the tension as close to the red as you can without actually touching it. This means your tackle is in complete harmony and you are utilising the rod, reel and line to maximum efficiency.
As for not using a titanium leader, well sooner or later a big pike or muskie will bite you off and you'll not only lose the fish but the lure as well...I've had it happen with an alligator gar too. Anything with teeth basically, you'll be using them a lot in S. America and Africa!

Thanks for the info. I have lost several lures etc. from the pikes. I understand that it's a part of the game / fishing in general.

I do have my rod, reel, line and leaders as close to each's maximum's as possible.

[vodou61]

Originally posted by Hyperion: Titan of Light:

Originally posted by CountVonCarstein:

Only if you don't mind playing a big fish all day!

I hear you, but, just to clarify, for my own knowledge.... If I lower the drag say 1 setting, would that make it less likely I will be bitten off. or no?

Yes. And to your original question, heavier line is less likely to be bitten off, especially with lower drag. I never use titanium leaders. But i also know that my drag and line can deal with it. So don't take me never using them as something that "should" be done. It's just how I fish.

[Bridges]

Originally posted by vodou61:

Originally posted by Hyperion: Titan of Light:

I hear you, but, just to clarify, for my own knowledge.... If I lower the drag say 1 setting, would that make it less likely I will be bitten off. or no?

Yes. And to your original question, heavier line is less likely to be bitten off, especially with lower drag. I never use titanium leaders. But i also know that my drag and line can deal with it. So don't take me never using them as something that "should" be done. It's just how I fish.

Thank you for that detailed reply. I will hold you 100% liable for any breakage of my gear. A copy of this thread is being sent to my lawyer. :)

[ivan09193]

I think it is more the strength of the line that protects against bite-offs than the diameter. I remember experiencing bite-offs with tyrannotrout at Rocky Lake before I knew about titanium leaders and just upgrading my line was sufficient then. I agree with voudou61 regarding drag setting - getting stronger line will help with that too.

[Bridges]

Since there's conflicting info, I will try to reduce my drag a bit and use thicker line to see if I notice any changes.

Thanks for all of the help.