Lead-core......

[Kevin/CO]

OK, I don't fish lead-core and haven't fished lead-core before but I want some feedback while I am considering whether to go to it or not. Obviously leadcore adds a great deal to overall trolling versatility, no doubt that its a great tool. I know leadcore will help minimize the effects of water drag on the line, help get the line deeper and if used right help with depth. My biggest question is how to guide my depth with deep diving cranks (original hot'n tots, shad raps, reef runners and jointed shad raps), would I basically have to have Percision Trolling (as if its not a must anyway)? I don't know much about leadcore use except that you need a reel with lots of capacity a rod with a fast tip and a strong back bone. So besides my question any general information would be a good thing for me too. Thanks in advance.

[MLD]

Lead core is very speed dependent, although it reacts to speed changes slower than snap weights and the like, so you kind of have to get a feel for the depth you're running. I've mostly used it to target bottom oriented fish so I let out until my lure starts ticking bottom then reel in ten or twenty feet (I use a line counter).

Mike

[targa2]

Leadcore of 18 or 27 lb is your best bet. Use a 50 foot leader of mono in front. Check how far a 50 ft lead will get the bait you are using down and add about 5ft more for every color of lead after that. Stick with about 1.8 mph for this formula should be close for about the first 5 or 6 colors. After that you will have to assume that line resistance is going to decrease the depth per color dramatically. Penn 209 0r 309 mf are solid and inexpensive and hold tons of line. 300 feet of 20lb mono backing will still allow you a full 10 colors of lead on a 309. Expeimentation is critical with lead so pay attention to what you are doing differently when you make changes.Caught lots of fish the last 2 seasons on my home water on leadcore that wouldnt respond to riggers etc. The old becomes new again!

[Neal/CO]

Hey Kevin, I have been trolling with leadcore for over 15 years now and won't get into the boat without my lead rig. Before I got married and had no responsibilities, I used to travel to Wyoming and fish Flaming Gorge and Pathfinder alot. There I met some of the best fisherman I have ever met and several were nice enough to pass on their wealth of knowledge to a dumb flatlander from Kansas! LOL.

In the summer when walleyes are suspended out in the basin chasing shad leadcore is deadly. You can troll cranks, spoons and even crawler harness's out over deep water. In the fall and spring when the water is still cold diving cranks sometimes have to much action. You can take a floating Rapala which is more subtle and still put it 30 feet deep if you need to. If you ever travel to a canyon resevoir like Pathfinder or Yellowtail leadcore is great for following precise contours along canyon walls.

I met two elderly gentlemen at Pathfinder one year who only trolled big Wooly Buggers on their leadcore. They murdered the big Rainbows up there. We tried it and it was very effective on suspended trout. One day by accident I wasn't paying attention and I came to close to shore and started dragging our streamers across the rocks in about 20 feet of water. I had a 7lb Brown almost take the rod out of my hands. It happened again at Blue Mesa. So we started slow trolling big black rabbit fur streamers on leadcore right along the rocks. It murders big browns that have seen every kind of Rapala ever made. Plus I can tie a half dozen repalcement streamers every night if need be. Just let out line till your streamer is bouncing off the rocks, then pull your rod forward every 10 yards or so. It is kind of like jigging with leadcore. If you hang up it is no big deal, I can tie a dozen streamers for the cost of one crankbait.