Scientific Anglers

Predator Leader Review

Scientific Anglers Predator Leaders are designed to take on the gnarliest, sharp-toothed critters in both freshwater and saltwater.  Whether you chucking flies for pike, muskie, golden dorado, barracuda, mahi, or any other situation with a toothy predator, there is a Predator Leader for your needs.  

All Predator Leaders are hand-tied in the U.S. and feature premium materials in their construction.  They are designed to carry and turnover large flies.  Absolute leaders also have Stay-Lok snap closures to hold flies securely and allow changes to be made quick and easy.

Absolute Predator Esox

• Designed for use on sinking and intermediate head lines, 4’ of 40 lb. fluorocarbon with 15” 35 lb. 1×7 Ni Ti wire, Stay-Lok snap

Absolute Predator Toothy Fish

• 8’ 20 lb. tapered nylon with15” 35 lb. or 55 lb. 1×7 Ni Ti wire, premium design with Stay-Lok snap, turns over big flies easily

Absolute Predator Figure 8 

• Specifically designed for finishing muskie retrieves with boatside figure-8’s, 30” 55 lb. fluorocarbon with 15” 40 lb. 7×7 stainless wire, Stay-Lok snap

Absolute Predator Toothy Fish Stealth

• For wire-shy, wary predators in clear water, 8’ tapered 20 lb. nylon with 15” 80 lb. fluorocarbon, Stay-Lok Snap, turns over big flies easily

Predator Leader

• For multi-species applications, 8’ 20 lb tapered nylon with 15” of 20 lb. or 45 lb. 1×7 black-coated stainless wire, includes barrel sleeves to create and end loop for snaps

Predator Bite-Guard Material

Absolute Predator 7×7 Knotable Wire 

• Can be used with most common fishing knots, stainless steel with 7×7 construction, is easy to tie and gives more natural fly movement, nylon covered with camo brown color that reduces visibility under water, 25 lb. and 40 lb.

NiTi Wire

• Nickel Titanium wire with 1×7 construction, easy to knot and 100% corrosion proof in the salt, 35 lb. and 55 lb.

Stainless Steel

• Stainless steel wire with 1 x 7 construction, black nylon coating increases durability and reduces visibility, 20 lb. and 45lb. 

Predator Leader Videos

How to Rig Scientific Anglers 1×7 NiTi Wire

In this video, Scientific Anglers Foreign Manager, Jeff Pierce, shows how to set up a leader for toothy fish using 1×7 NiTi wire.  This is 7 strands of nickel titanium wire wrapped into a single strand being attached to heavy monofilament of fluorocarbon material.   A Stay-Lok snap is added for attaching the fly.  A set of good quality cutters is important for this!  

Start with approximately 16” of wire and attach to the leader material with an Albright knot.  Do 7-10 wraps of the mono/fluoro over the wire.  Important to make sure the tag end goes through to wire the same way it goes in. Snug the mono/fluoro tight to the wire, cut the mono/fluoro tag end to ¼”.  Hold the wire tag end and cut as close as possible.  This keeps the tag end from launching across the room and possibly injuring someone.

Run the end of the wire through the Stay-Lok snap and tie a 4-turn clinch knot.  Pull the wire slowly until it pauses tightening and stop there.  Trim the wire tag as before.  Cut the mono/fluro to the desired length and attach to the fly line.  Add a fly with the Stay-Lok snap, then go fish and have fun!

Esox Special Pike Leader

Josh Jenkins, Scientific Anglers R&D Manager reviews the features of this versatile leader.  Though designed specifically for pike, it can be used for various toothy fish as needed.  At 4’ long with a 15” NiTi bite section, it is a good choice to use with sinking and intermediate head lines.  The nickel titanium wire resists kinking extremely well, so will continue work even after multiple fish. The Stay-Lok snap makes attaching and changing flies quick and easy.