pickerel - how do you keep them from cutting your line? : (

[Spoonminnow]

Finger sliced once by a 2 lb. northern years ago and never again. Two pair of pliers are always ready - one to hold the jaw and the other to pull out the hook(s). Plus I never go out without carrying a plastic bag of bandaids and New Skin for partners that learn the hard way how to safely handle fish - especially picks!

[trypman1]

Stainless wire leader! Will do it.

[Spoonminnow]

Recommend 3-4" of AFW stainless steel leader, 27 lb test / 4lb diameter wire. Anything heavier and lure action will suffer. The wire thread doesn't affect action.
Either/ or.