Which braid to choose for pike? Our guide and selection

Many of you have asked us to find out more about which braid for pike or which braid would be best suited to catching this king of our waters. And we understand why. Pike are demanding and powerful fish that require the right equipment. Among this equipment, the choice of braid will play a decisive role in your fishing sessions. In this article, we will guide you through the essential criteria for selecting the ideal braidor even braids that offer the best resistance and durability for pike fishing.

Why choose braid for pike fishing?

Braid has established itself as the line body of choice for pike anglers, and with good reason. Braid has incredible characteristics for the pike. In fact, the superior resistance of braid compared to traditional nylon is a major advantage. It allows you to cope with the brutal attacks and powerful rushes of this carnivore without fear of breakage.

Another significant advantage of braid for pike is that it its low elasticity. This property offers greater sensitivity and allows you to detect the slightest vibrations transmitted by your lure. The braid also makes for a more effective strike, increasing your chances of hooking the fish at the right moment.

Finally, you'll also see that the braid offers greater control over our lures, especially when using complex animations such as jerkbaits or stickbaits. This precision is a real plus when it comes to fooling large pike.

Here's a summary of the advantages of braid for pike fishing:

• A superior strength during combat and abrasion
• A greater sensitivity to detect the keys
• A more efficient shoeing thanks to its low elasticity
• A better control your lures at events
• A superior longevity compared with conventional nylon

Criteria for choosing the right braid for pike

Of course,lThe diameter of your braid is one of the first things to consider when fishing for pike. For light approaches, we recommend a braid of at least 12 kg (19/100). The ideal diameter is generally between 0.15 and 0.25 mm for light to medium fishing..

For heavier fishing, such as fishing with large shads or big baits, you can mount the braids of up to 0.30 mm without problem.

It should be noted that the heavier your lures, the larger the diameter of the braid should be. This rule avoids breakage on casting, which is particularly frustrating when using expensive lures. For large lures weighing between 100 and 350g, opt for PE 3 to 4 braid, depending on the power of your rod.

Another criterion to take into account is the number of strands braid. The 4-strand braids offer greater resistance to abrasion. This is an important factor when fishing for pike, particularly in heavily overcrowded areas. On the other hand 8-strand braids for pike stand out for their casting performance. We therefore recommend this type of braid for pike fishing in large bodies of lobar water, such as large dam lakes or alpine lakes.

Here is a table comparing the characteristics of 4- and 8-strand braids:

Features	4-strand braid	8-strand braid
Abrasion resistance	Excellent	Good
Throwing performance	Good	Excellent
Sensitivity	Very good	Excellent
Prices	More affordable	Higher

The importance of the leader for pike fishing

When it comes to braiding for pike, you can't ignore the leader. A fluorocarbon leader of at least 60/100 is essential to resist the sharp teeth of pike. Personally, we're not afraid to go up to 90/100 to avoid any risk of cutting. The ideal length is between 30 and 60 cm. This length offers a good compromise between discretion and strength.

Unlike other, more wary species, the discretion of the leader is less essential than its strength for pike. This predator is more sensitive to vibrations and movements than to the visual aspect of your rig. We've had some great catches using steel leaders, which are particularly effective in congested areas.

Tips for getting the most out of your pike braid

Over the course of our many fishing trips, we've developed a few tricks to get the most out of our braid when stalking pike. First and foremost, always adapt the diameter of the braid to the power of your rod and the technique you are using. A braid that is too thin on a powerful rod is likely to break, while a braid that is too thick on a light rod will alter your sensations.

For vertical fishing, a formidable technique for pike in deep water, we recommend you opt for a multicoloured braid. These visual cues will help you situate yourself in the water column and adjust the depth of your lure precisely.

Finally, don't hesitate to try out different brands and models of braids. Price is not always a guarantee of qualityYou may be surprised by the performance of some of the more affordable braids. Our experience in the field has shown us that it's sometimes necessary to try several models before finding the perfect braid for your fishing style.

To help you make the right choice 5 braids we particularly like for pike fishing :

• Berkley X9 braid Crystal for fishing from a distance
• Daiwa J Braid for its resistance to abrasion
• Power Pro 8 Slick V2, for its versatility
• Spiderwire Stealth Smooth 8for its value for money
• Varivas Highgradefor its high performance

By applying these tips and choosing your braid wisely, you will maximise your chances of success with pike. Don't forget that practice and experience are your best allies when it comes to refining your technique and equipment. Happy fishing to you all!