Lead core line & setup?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Been doing some research, a d not sure if leadcore is what a guy should do. I've read a lot about inconsistant depths with it & people having problems.

What would be better to get down to depth.

Dipsy divers or leadcore?

If I was to set a rod up for lead core, it would be for fishing walleye. Since I have two dipsy rod setups, I think I'd want a "shortie" lead core setup. Also, I think about 25-30 would be about the deep end I'd fish........i like the okuma magda pro line counters....What size would I need a 30dx? also what would be a good shortie rod?

[B-man715]

For walleyes in inland lakes I would definitely go with lead core.

When you read about inconsistencies it is from different guys using different setups. If you have two identical rigs running identical tuned crankbaits you are able to replicate, which is what lead core is all about.

The Magda pro 30's are plenty big, and will hold 10 colors of 17-18# lead, along with a mono leader and a few feet of backer to grab the spool.

You could get away with a 20 size reel running 12# Suffix 832 lead (all 10 colors).

As for shorty rods, Jason Mitchell has some in his series. I've never used them, but I know some guys like them to run a four rod spread without planer boards. (I prefer long rods from Diawa because I usually only run two rods at a time)(8' Wilderness Downrigger rods).

The neat thing about lead is that it can work year round in many waters (if open water of course). I've caught fish on it from the day after ice out to the day before ice up. In fact we just caught our bigger fish on the river on Christmas day this year using leadcore and Flicker Minnows (34 degree water)

There are a bunch of guys here that have a lot more experience than I do that could also help you out a lot (John Mckinish comes to mind).

[MattL]

I think a lot of the inconsistencies and problems you are hearing about are due to speed control. Leadcore is extremely speed sensitive so if you don't have a good way to regulate that you are gonna have a hard time.

I would definitely stick with leadcore in your situation. If you have a kicker motor, that is best. Other guys use trolling plates or bags. My current boat has a Yamaha with VTS and that gets me slow enough and is adjustable with the push of a button.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Ok thanks for the help guys.

[B-man715]

I think a lot of the inconsistencies and problems you are hearing about are due to speed control. Leadcore is extremely speed sensitive so if you don't have a good way to regulate that you are gonna have a hard time.

I would definitely stick with leadcore in your situation. If you have a kicker motor, that is best. Other guys use trolling plates or bags. My current boat has a Yamaha with VTS and that gets me slow enough and is adjustable with the push of a button.

Spot on advice ^^^^^

Boat speed and speed through/over water play huge roles in how deep your cranks are going.

A difference of .5 miles an hour will significantly change the amount of line needed.

In waves, the amount of line needed will change too when going with, against, or trolling the trough.

Trolling on a calm lake at 2mph versus trolling up a river at 2mph are worlds apart as well (depending on current).

When first experimenting, a lake with gradual breaks and a hard bottom drastically shorten the learning curve, as do hard thumping cranks (like Salmon Hornets for example).

They make it much easier to tell if you are in the strike zone, or just pounding bottom......

[JohnMickish]

Lead core fishing is a great way to get lures to run at whatever depth you want. It's pretty affordable as well. What questions do you have? I have been fishing with it for several years and it is definitely a tool everybody should use.

[delcecchi]

Ok, here is my question. Do you run lead core all the way back to the reel, or do you splice in a length like 3 colors and then run backing?

[B-man715]

Ok, here is my question. Do you run lead core all the way back to the reel, or do you splice in a length like 3 colors and then run backing?

You can do either.

For walleye fishing at varied depths, I like to have a full spool of lead (10 colors). I've never run all of them out, but if I have a catastrophic line tangle (happened once) there is more lead left to keep fishing that day.

Lots of great lakes guys will segment their lead for fixed depths (have a couple rods with say 4 colors and a couple rods with say 6 colors) with the rest of the spool with backing. The main reason being that planer board releases are really hard on leadcore.

Some walleye guys run 5 colors on two rods with backing just to get more out of a new spool of lead (split 10 instead of having to buy 20 colors worth).

[JohnMickish]

I run full spools as well. I do it because of the verying depths and lakes that I fish. even though I very rarely run more than 6 colors out I like to start with the full 10 colors on the reel for when something goes wrong and I lose some.