Lead Core Rigs

[Papascot]

I am going to set up a couple of core rods. How long of leaders do you guys suggest? I use 20 ft on my copper rigs for salmon but was not sure what the normal for erie was. Also if setting up 2 reels how many colors would you suggest? I am using 47lc reels so you can have idea of capacity.

Scott

[j9f]

I start all of my leaders around 35' for salmon and eyes. I replace them when they get shorter than 8'. I don't think they work any better long or short. Because they pull double duty, my leader is 25# Ande. Same goes for copper.

It really depends on how deep you think you'll be fishing for how many colors. I use lead on Erie with spoons when the bite isn't at it's peak. Beyond that I can set a mini diver out much faster (less line). I fish out of a Michigan port so I don't use a lot of colors. My best rig is usually a 3 color and I won't use it in water less than 20' since it will pick zebras up on a turn. If I get out over deeper water and I'm targeting deeper fish I'll pull 4 colors. Once and a while I'll run two colors. When I run it I typically send 4 or 5 leadcore rigs on one side and I try to turn away from it meaning I keep it on the outside of my turns. The best part about core and spoons on erie is there is nothing between you and the fish, no little diver or weight.

You can segment it, but I hate having lead between my release and my rod. You don't want to leave lead in a normal rod tip, it will wear the sheath and you'll break off. The lead makes it sink and the sheath gives the strength. I know guys that rig up everything with 15 colors and run a roller or twilli tip, but then again you still have lead between the rod and the board.

As for your reel, you can squeeze 10 colors on a 47 with minimal backing. I wouldn't put more than 5 colors on a 47 though. You lose gear ratio as you lose spool diameter. Cut your spool diameter in half, you are working with half the gear ratio.

[hgmeyer]

I carry three large reels (Bass Pro) linecounters with ten colors... Four 27 size with five colors (deeper than 30 feet) and four size 27 with three colors (From 20 to 30 feet)...