Wasn't sure if thin wire attached to a jig would stop fish from biting - NOPE!

Had a pickerel problem cutting my lures off so I added a shore thin wire leader to see if it affected the bite from other fish species. Not by the numbers of fish caught - even small fish hit under a float!
https://i.imgur.com/8YAQaxO.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/sJtspUH.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/O7Y0SJK.jpg

Four pickerel did not snap my line using AFW Tooth Proof Salt Water leader wire and crappie this size ignored it:
https://i.imgur.com/h8BCePo.jpg

as well as sunfish:
https://i.imgur.com/FfI3m5a.jpg

I have a neighbor who uses a piece of brazing rod12-14 " long ,he flattens each end and drills a hole in each end. Then uses split rings to tie to it and hook on other end. No added weight. He counts his fish all year long, averages 16-18 hundred on minnows. Holds a fish fry for his church 2-3 times a year. Then you have people worrying about fish seeing their line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So much for fish intelligence!

Looks like the fish didn't mind at all

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BJH

I have a neighbor who uses a piece of brazing rod12-14 " long ,he flattens each end and drills a hole in each end. Then uses split rings to tie to it and hook on other end. No added weight. He counts his fish all year long, averages 16-18 hundred on minnows. Holds a fish fry for his church 2-3 times a year. Then you have people worrying about fish seeing their line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Does your neighbor do this for a pickerel problem or other reason? This thread is immensely interesting! Holy cow, a brazing rod? lol, makes me wonder what the diameter of the brazing rod is that he uses.

He uses a 1/8 size. He is a crappie man only, and fishes with minnows. He has used this for years, say's he seldom loses one. Fishes with 20 lb. mono and the long shank gold hook will straighten out before it breaks. He has a calendar in his shop that he keeps up with the daily count on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BJH

He uses a 1/8 size. He is a crappie man only, and fishes with minnows. He has used this for years, say's he seldom loses one. Fishes with 20 lb. mono and the long shank gold hook will straighten out before it breaks. He has a calendar in his shop that he keeps up with the daily count on.

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I meant why does he use the brazing rod? This thread is about a man using wire to keep pickerel teeth from cutting his line. Why does your guy use a brazing rod? I don't get it. And you say he uses 1/8 size. That means 1/8 size what? Just trying to get a grip on why this man uses a brazing rod, lol.

He uses the 1/8" diameter brazing rod in place of a weight and if he hangs up, he just bounces the rod tip and the brazing rod will 99% of the time, dislodge the hook.:Doh:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BJH

He uses the 1/8" diameter brazing rod in place of a weight and if he hangs up, he just bounces the rod tip and the brazing rod will 99% of the time, dislodge the hook.:Doh:

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Now, THAT takes the cake. That is def a new spin on things, lol. Thanks for replying, appreciated.

I just thought of another question, lol. I am assuming he tight lines or does he use a bobber? I wonder how deep he fishes.

Have you ever tried his method or has anyone else or is this man the lone ranger?

I haven't used shiners/minnows in decades. Only jigs once I discovered fish would bite them! I have seen jigs produce when shiners caught zero. And that's odd, isn't it!

I've never used the rod method but have heard of it being used when using minnas in heavy cover..... It's said to help prevent hang-ups.....