Lead core or Wire?

[Sluggo / NY]

I've still got a good sized gift certificate to spend at Bass Pro and can't decide whether to go with lead core or wire line set-ups. They're about the only things we aren't set up for, so I thought I'd give one of them a try. I mainly troll the deeper water of the eastern basin targeting the fifty to sixty foot range. Any suggestions? Thanks and Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

[Dave S]

Chris, I guess the other question you have to ask is at what speed do you hope to troll at the 50 - 60' depth. I would expect you would have a difficult time trolling that deep with leadcore unless you get your speed under 1 mph. I never have run wire but from what I recall reading it can be ran deeper and at a higher speed than leadcore.

[Sluggo / NY]

Dave..The speed will depend on what I'm pulling and on what's working, but I have no problem getting down to .5 mph. I guess what I should be asking is.. which method would be better to add to my arsenal? I've only seen wire line used for pulling dipsies. I'm guessing that leadcore has more uses. Thanks, Sluggo (Chris)

[DUDE]

Sluggo, I have used both lead and wire, for deep trolling on Erie I would go with the wire. Last year I was running jr thundersticks down to 50 feet with wire, no snap weights. It worked great. Just make sure you use a good line counter reel, to duplicate when you find the fish.

[Gilligan]

Chris..on the lead core, since I know you just bought a boat load of Diawa Lc's spool up some of those old level winds with lead, no need for LC as you get 30' per color. You will get about 6'of depth per color (1 color = 30') so 6 colors with a Renosky will put you around the 40-42'.

I am seting up reels with lead segmented in..50' leader, x amount of colors and leader to fill the spools. Works real nice with in line boards, let out till you get to the mono and hook up the board. I've pulled 6 colors at 2.2, probably could pull 8 off boards at 1.5/1.7.

Some guys in PWT last year were running flat lines, 8-10 colors with deep divers!

I've not tried it yet but am told it is awesome working around structure, you can troll right around a point or weed edge and it pretty much follows path of the boat. Should be nice for Chautauqua and Oneida.

[GJN]

I've been using braided copper wire and have been very happy with it. There's not much of a problem with it kinking and it gets down to where the fish are. The wire I have is rated at 40 lbs.

[Sluggo / NY]

Thanks for all the replies..I guess I'll just have to get set up for both leadcore and wire line! I'll also have to get a bigger boat to haul all my stuff! Sluggo (Chris)

[ETT]

Chris,
I know where there's a 23' CC Ranger. I think you'd look good in that. LOL. Then next year we'll find you a 28' Carolina Classic (even I'd look good in that!!!) LOL Good Luck.

[Denny Sharrone]

WIRE! Wire line is tough to beat in the central and eastern basin. We did very well on it consistently last year. With 12lb test wire you can reach 50' (with a lure such as a deep junior thunderstick) with about 350' of wire out. It runs nice off of the boards too, which I believe is a must. Be careful when you're first learning to use it. It is like a slinky on your reel, always keep tension on your line as you are letting it out, either with your thumb or the clicker. Also, be careful not to kink the wire can is can break easily in those places. It sounds kinda tough but it really isn't bad at all, just takes some practice. eyeD(Denny Sharrone)

[Chad]

Why would you use wire instead of fireline? I thought people use wire for no strech and thin diameter. Sounds like a perfect place for fireline/powerpro?

Chad

[nosnoots]

The weight of the wire will cause your lure to run deeper than fireline.

nosnoots