leadcore

[wallbash]

I am getting into leadcore this year and was wondering what lb test to get. Thanks in advance.

[SUPERTROLLER]

18 lb. test leadcore has the same weight of lead as the bigger test weights. All you'd gain above this is stronger dacron line around the core. Therefore, 18 lb. is the accepted standard weight by most leadcore walleye users that frequent this site.

[shadowman]

agree with the 18 i run 17.

[retire55]

I'm not very familiar with how one fishes for walleyes with leadcore. Although I've read leadcore posts on this site, I've always wondered whether such posts only addressed "segmented leadcore" fishing.

I have fished with leadcore for many years but for lake trout only. I usually have 2 Penn 309s spooled up with as many colours of 18 lb test leadcore as possible. On a trout trip, each of the fishing group members each fishes a different depth until someone gets action. Then we all switch to that many colours.

However, I have never fished for walleyes with leadcore. If I'm trolling crankbaits for walleyes, I usually troll them off a line counter with Fireline 10/4 (use Precision Trolling as the bible). Additional depths, if required, can be achieved with snap weights.

Is there a good tutorial, already in the can, for leadcore fishing for walleyes, that someone can reference? Alternatively, perhaps someone very familiar with the method could educate those of us unfamiliar with it. Thanks in advance.

[SUPERTROLLER]

It depends upon the depth you are targeting as to whether you will want to run segmented or full "cores". When running shallower depth presentations you will not want the extra weight of the leadcore line dragging in the water or having to be suspended between the rods and the boards. Segments make this easier by having your regular running line also available for clipping in the releases. You can then run these boards much further to the side of your boat. When targeting deeper fish or river currents, getting the boards to the side of the boat is not as necessary. You can still clip onto the leadcore with the releases. This is when you may want to run full cores. Snap weights are possibly a better choice when fishing places with severe changes in depth where you want tighter control of your depth. Leadcore shines when the changes are gradual or you are staying at the same general depth on flats.

[eye4aneye]

Many times, walleye will bite better on smaller cranks that just won't run deep enough on their own to fish where the eyes are. It's pretty tough to get a #4 jointed rap to 20'. Lead core is a better choice than snap weights IMHO because you run less leghnth of line and you don't have to worry about the belly of mono dragging bottom or wearing.

[Eyez]

>I'm not very familiar with how one fishes for walleyes with
>leadcore. Although I've read leadcore posts on this site, I've
>always wondered whether such posts only addressed "segmented
>leadcore" fishing.
>
>I have fished with leadcore for many years but for lake trout
>only. I usually have 2 Penn 309s spooled up with as many
>colours of 18 lb test leadcore as possible. On a trout trip,
>each of the fishing group members each fishes a different
>depth until someone gets action. Then we all switch to that
>many colours.
>
>However, I have never fished for walleyes with leadcore. If
>I'm trolling crankbaits for walleyes, I usually troll them off
>a line counter with Fireline 10/4 (use Precision Trolling as
>the bible). Additional depths, if required, can be achieved
>with snap weights.
>
>Is there a good tutorial, already in the can, for leadcore
>fishing for walleyes, that someone can reference?
>Alternatively, perhaps someone very familiar with the method
>could educate those of us unfamiliar with it. Thanks in
>advance.


If you search this site for "leadcore" you will probably find enough reading material to keep you busy for hours. There are also a couple leadcore 101 articles floating around, though I don't have a direct link, someone else might.

Reasons I use leadcore instead of snapweights.

-nothing to unhook from the line when reeling in a fish

-More predictable depth control with different cranks. the crankbait has less effect on the depth that it runs. deep running vs shallow running cranks.

-Better depth control vs speed. Leadcore is very speed sensitive, but snapweights are worse, IMO. Especially if you're using a good sized snapweight.


There really isn't a trick to pulling straight leadcore, it's just like any other trolling. Let out enough line till you hit bottom. then reel it up a few cranks. But, make note of the amount of line out and the speed. A lot of it is trial and error.

Say you're pulling 20 feet of water with a small plug like a #5 shad rap (good idea for a beginner, use a plug that doesn't dive too much, helps you learn how the lead works without worrying about the plug. At 1.8 mph you'd need approx 120 feet of lead out, depending on leader length (I use 15 foot 12 pound silver thread leaders). If you speed up to 2.0 mph, you'll need about another 10-20 feet of lead out (depending on counters, etc). I really like counters for lead for these reasons. You could just fumble through setting each line once you've got it right on one line, but it's way easier to just match the number on the counter.

As far as planer boards, I know some guys do it, but I don't because of trouble with the lead breaking inside the dacron because of wear inside the board clip, and bunching up or poking through the dacron, causing the line to bind in the guides and reel. Segmented is a different story, of course.


I could keep typing but my wife's threatening me with a rolling pin (as if she knows how to use one! :D )

I'd start searching, I'm sure you'll have most if not all your questions answered.


Eyez

[retire55]

Thanks guys for your comments and suggestions. I did the search and it led me to three informative and educational articles by Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz. For future reference, articles can be found at:
http://www.thenextbite.com/site/article.cfm?owner=F5B611D6-4BDB-4556-81141F2CC2091F66