lead core

[walleyewacker]

I am a beginner with lead core line and I was wondering how anybody who uses this alot ties leaders, what you tie leaders to, leader length, some common advice or precautions. Any help is apprectiated. I have used it before a little but will really pick up the use this summer because of some situations that have occurred.

Thanks

[Deemo]

Im also giving this a try and I started at the end of last season. Im going to use a small swivel that will make it thru the guides easy. After that going with 6ft of mono. It would be good to hear what someone who has experience does on his.

Whats a good high capacity line counter? I had a shakespere last year and it already went to hell on me. Lost the receipt also.
Ive never had a reel that only lasted 3mo.
Should I try a diawa sealine? any other suggestions?

[N Hardy]

My advice for a leader is don't go over three feet because you won't be able to feel the lure working. Cabelas has great deals on Diawa line counters and poles. I use the rapala knot if you know what that is.

[walleyewacker]

As far as reels go nothing can beat an ambassadeur, still using 30 year old reels and I also have new ones. They now come with a built in line counter as well. Or just buy a shakspeer clip on line counter, these are accurate. The Diawas are nice as well as the cabelas depthmaster digital.

[walleyewacker]

bump

[bry c]

I use a slightly different approach to the leadcore for kokanee and trout. I use fireline backing then two colors of lead, then about 50' more fireline as a leader. Tie a overhand knot at the end of the leadcore then a uni knot with fireline, no swivels necessary. all that will run onto your reel no problem. Of course, with only two colors my lures will only run 10' down or so, but thats the zone im looking for in particular, adjust leadcore length as necessary. I fish clear water with lighter tackle and wanted to avoid hauling a 50# rod and reel around is why i spliced in the lead.

[HUNTINGBAILEY]

I USE LEAD CORE FOR LONG LINING ON THE ST. CRIOX. I USE A PENN 320 REEL WITH BASICALLY A MUSKY ROD THAT HAS A SENSITIVE TIP. WE USE THE 27LB LEAD CORE, THE 100 YARDS FILLS THE SPOOL. ON THIS I TYPICALLY RUN A SMALL SWIVEL THAT ATTACHES TO 6FT OF SPIDER WIRE. I CAN LET 60 TO 70 YARDS OUT, WITH A NO. 5 SHAD RAP HIT BOTTOM IN 34-36FT OF WATER. WE DO PRETTY WELL FOR WALLEYES.

[walleyewacker]

When running these different setups with the leadcore how do you monitor lure depth? Does the lure itself have as much of an effect on depth as if you were just longlineing with a superline for example. Precision trolling and past references probably mean nothing then? Will leader length have an effect as well? I guess my biggest concern is for suspended fish and how I am going to know exactly where I am running like I can running fireline. I fish mostly shallow bowls for lakes that dont top out over 40'. These fish have a tendency to really like to hang out over that basin not shortly after post spawn even. I just want to be able to get the cranks of choice down to where I need them without a ton of line out because of turning and wind and such.

[Scott Steil]

I use leadcore in several different ways. I mainly run 2 different setups for Leadcore trolling:

1)Superline/3 colors of lead/30 ft Flourocarbon

2)10 colors of lead and a 3-10 ft Flourocarbon leader.

I use 18Lb Leadcore on all the set-ups. The 27lb and 18lb lines have basically the same about of lead in them.

I use the first setup for shallow water or if I am running it behind planer boards. I use a 30ft Flourocarbon leader on this set up.

The second setup up is for trolling directly behind the boat. I usually use a 3-10 ft Flourocarbon leader on this set-up. Shorter leader on Rivers or in stained water and longer in clear lakes.

Leadcore is very speed sensative and it takes some trial and error to get the speed down. As you slow down with leadcore your baits will sink, as you speed up, they will rise in the water column because of the resistance of the line. Leadcore gives you lots of options!!

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[Scott Steil]

Long before I knew about the trolling bible I would run my setups in shallow water to see what combo's ran at what depths. I guess I called it trial and error.

A lot of times I don't know exactly where I am running and I try lots of different setups until I get one that works, then I duplicate it. Practice in shallow water before the weeds come up and you will get a great feel for how lead runs.

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[Guest]

When running lead core Scott has it down pretty good. A couple things that I have learned threw the years is.

For a leader run fire line. Its Strong so when you get snagged up you pull the hooks straight instead of losing the lure.

And leader lenthes I have run anywhere from 4ft to 12 ft depending on water clarity.

Lure depth, like Scott said trial and error. Lead core is for fishing on the bottom, and staying on the bottom. So with any lure you just let line out till you fell the bottom and reel up a few cranks.
Then watch your depth finder when it gets deeper let more line out, shallow reel in til your not ticking bottom.

Its not as easy as it sounds, yes anyone can put lead core in the water but to run it right is a perfection. There has been a good number of times where I couldnt get all the lines down without catching a fish. You have to spend some time with it, if you dont get it right away dont get discuriged its an art!

To me running backing on your reel is a waste of time (the way scott does it sounds like it makes sence) but the way I do it is straight core or a sinker none of the half and half.
If your going to run boards why add a chunk of core? Thats just ruining a good spool of lead core!

Lead core is a great asset to river fishing you just have to learn how to use it!

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RiverTown Guiding
Mississippi River Pools 3-4
http://www.geocities.com/wish_i_was_fishing2002

[This message has been edited by Brian Sander (edited 05-21-2003).]