Up Trace use

I have just read an article in P & P where the author is advocating the use of an up trace at all times when Pike fishing whatever method being used.

It is a good article with valid points being made.

I do use an up trace in certain situations like when using live-baits or paternostering, but I don't use one for all methods (that may change now).

In what situations do you use an up trace?

I'd use uptraces for live baiting (which I rarely use) or paternosters and also some float fishing but can't see the advantage when fishing a deadbait on the deck?

nightwatchman wrote:I'd use uptraces for live baiting (which I rarely use) or paternosters and also some float fishing but can't see the advantage when fishing a deadbait on the deck?

yes i also could see potential problems there... particularly with running ledgers because the top swivel (the one connecting the up trace to mainline) may get caught as it passes through the run ring causing the pike to feel the lead and drop the bait. this problem would also be impossible to avoid when fishing weedy/debris covered bottoms.
not for me i'm afraid... i'll just stick to using an uptrace if i'm livebaiting

comes in handy if your deadbait trace becomes twisted, just clip it of and clip another on..........

The thing with P&P and other mag's is that they have to fill copy and sometimes that means publishing ideas that are not necessary. Did the Editor call the article thought provoking (link)

I am reading NJF's Piking in the 80's and the concept of an up trace didn't exist. You really need to use one when livebaiting as the bait can get itself wrapped around the main line. The up trace should be 50% longer than the trace.

If your normal trace is 18 - 24 inch long you can reduce this to 9 - 12 inch for livebaiting. Then use an up trace of 15 - 18 inch long. Any weight should be positioned between the two traces via your paternoster weak link.

I have never used one for deadbaiting.

Andy Webster

there is always a possibility of a bite off, when a up trace is not used, i guarantee you it will be a big fish when it happens.

stephen abbott wrote:there is always a possibility of a bite off, when a up trace is not used, i guarantee you it will be a big fish when it happens.

Can't really see how you will get a bite off when deadbaiting on the deck.
The only time I could see a bite off is if the Pike is coming up quickly from under a bait and misjudges its line of attack! e.g float fishing at depth?

stephen abbott wrote:there is always a possibility of a bite off, when a up trace is not used, i guarantee you it will be a big fish when it happens.

in 15 years of piking i have never had a bite-off.... whether it is when i'm deadbaiting, livebaiting or lure fishing.
if it wasnt going to be detrimental to the effectiveness of a free running ledger then yes i'd try it but i just dont see the point.
thats why all of my deadbait traces are made up to a length of 22"....... so it negates the possibility of a bite off as much as possible.

the only way i can see a benifit from a up trace is if you leave your rods built up all the time. ie quickness for changeing a trace. nothing more than that.
i think i should have put a wee smiley face on my last post . their their aww better noo.

greg wrote:the only way i can see a benifit from a up trace is if you leave your rods built up all the time. ie quickness for changeing a trace. nothing more than that.
i think i should have put a wee smiley face on my last post . their their aww better noo.

instead of using an uptrace for speed changing i'd just use a crosslock and swivel tied directly to the mainline mate.

that is what i use rob, i use the fox ones. i was talking for others bud,thats the only reason i could see for haveing one . i have my rods made up all the time, just attach a lead and trace and am fishing...

greg wrote:that is what i use rob, i use the fox ones. i was talking for others bud,thats the only reason i could see for haveing one . i have my rods made up all the time, just attach a lead and trace and am fishing...

Me too guys.

Andy

Andy Webster wrote:

greg wrote:that is what i use rob, i use the fox ones. i was talking for others bud,thats the only reason i could see for haveing one . i have my rods made up all the time, just attach a lead and trace and am fishing...

Me too guys.

Andy

its funny why p+p have it on there site, for newcomers to pikeing it would send them down the wrong road.

greg wrote:

Andy Webster wrote:

greg wrote:that is what i use rob, i use the fox ones. i was talking for others bud,thats the only reason i could see for haveing one . i have my rods made up all the time, just attach a lead and trace and am fishing...

Me too guys.

Andy

its funny why p+p have it on there site, for newcomers to pikeing it would send them down the wrong road.

yeah i gotta agree there mate

robh107 wrote:

greg wrote:

Andy Webster wrote:

greg wrote:that is what i use rob, i use the fox ones. i was talking for others bud,thats the only reason i could see for haveing one . i have my rods made up all the time, just attach a lead and trace and am fishing...

Me too guys.

Andy

its funny why p+p have it on there site, for newcomers to pikeing it would send them down the wrong road.

yeah i gotta agree there mate

so the answer to the question adam, no you dont need the uptrace bud. just do your own thing

got to agree with ya lads

patch wrote:got to agree with ya lads

i see your still catching patch. your on a roll bro

greg wrote:

patch wrote:got to agree with ya lads

i see your still catching patch. your on a roll bro

nice 1 Greg av been luckey mate! on the last few catches

nightwatchman wrote:I'd use uptraces for live baiting (which I rarely use) or paternosters and also some float fishing but can't see the advantage when fishing a deadbait on the deck?

in stillwaters or running?

certainly upstream fishing in a river requires one

noodle wrote:

nightwatchman wrote:I'd use uptraces for live baiting (which I rarely use) or paternosters and also some float fishing but can't see the advantage when fishing a deadbait on the deck?

in stillwaters or running?

certainly upstream fishing in a river requires one

Good point noodles!
From my point of view I was talking about still waters.

noodle wrote:

nightwatchman wrote:I'd use uptraces for live baiting (which I rarely use) or paternosters and also some float fishing but can't see the advantage when fishing a deadbait on the deck?

in stillwaters or running?

certainly upstream fishing in a river requires one

Good point Noodle. Theres more to this than I thought, but thats often my problem...thinking...

Andy

Andy Webster wrote:thats often my problem...thinking... Andy

Mine too (or lack of it sometimes)

i have used up-traces for many years now, after a mate of mine got bite off from a big fish.
i use titanium as an uptrace(yes it is expensive outlay but i am still using the first 20 mtr i bought all thoose years ago, its indistructable).

the up-trace is 22" with a short hook length of standard wire of 16",purly for economical useage.

had bad expierience with crosslok swivel lost a good fish never used them since .....prefere to tie swivel on

stubbo wrote:had bad expierience with crosslok swivel lost a good fish never used them since .....prefere to tie swivel on

why, what did you do wrong.