lead core line ?

[biggs]

never used it,but thinking of trying it. for example if wanted to troll a floating rappalla on 15 lb. test lead core in 15' of water at 1 mph how much line do i need to let out
thanks for any help

[Neal/CO]

I have been using this simple formula for 15 years and it works for me. At 2 mph I get 4 feet per color, and at 1.5 mph I get 5 feet per color. I rarely troll faster than 2.5 mph. Lead core is very effective down to about 35 feet deep. Any deeper than that and you should use other methods. For the kind of fishing I do out here (Colorado & Wyoming) leadcore is very adequate.

[Chad]

From what I have heard all leadcore is basically the same. The different test does not really effect the dive curve much. the biggest item that effects the dive curve is speed. More speed means less dive and slower speed means greater dive.

[Neal/CO]

Ditto. Go with the lighter leadcore, it will leave you more space on your spool.

[ETT]

Your fightin it way to hard . Don't worry about a formula or a line counter reel. Just let out the lead core slowly, until you feel your lure ticking the bottom, then crank in a few feet to just clear the bottom. Run the stick bait right in the sweet spot. If the marks come up off the bottom 3 or 4 feet crank in 10' or so until you determine where you need to be. Reset by watching the color of lead core. Sometimes you'll be fishing 2 colors and 2 passes on the level wind. and so on.


Remember lead core is another no stretch line so loose drags and soft rods are needed to prevent rip offs. Good luck

[cisco]

We used lead core on Lake Michigan for years before Deep Sixes and Dipsy Divers came along. A general rule was 3 ft per color of line (lead core is metered into 10 yd sections, each a different color). For example, if you ran 5 colors you would be down 15 feet. Obviously, speed is the big variable. With a guide in Maine some years ago, we caught lake trout on Flatfish just off bottom in 75 feet of water -- but, he used his stern electric motor for power and we were barely crawling. Under speed, lead core will lift after 6 or 7 colors -- thus gaining nothing by letting more line out.

Frankly, Dipseys are much better suited for my type of fishing in the Midwest. Western reservoirs are quite another matter. Good luck.

[Neal/CO]

I pretty much agree with you, but what about fish suspended 25 feet deep over a 100 feet of water in the summer. It pays to know where your lure is then!!! Nothing hammers suspended fish in the 15 to 30 ft range better.

[ETT]

Neal, As a general rule fish suspended at 15 to 30' will react much better to mono and boards. Lead core is so speed dependant that you'd have to have a different formula for each speed, and be capable of controling your speed to the tenth. The only way to run lead core off boards is to splice in 2,3,4,or whatever number of colors you want and dump all of it into the lake. Then attach the board to the mono ahead of the lead core. This is done quite often with good success on Erie (in the western basin) but most often with spinners at speeds from 0.9 to 1.5 mph. Good luck

[johnwaleye]

what is the rule of thumb for the lenght of the leader on leadcore n what test line

[Neal/CO]

I can see how on big vast waters like Erie leadcore would not be the best choice. I fish alot of plateau and canyon resevoirs. Both trout and walleye's will suspend off the canyon walls forcing trollers to stick to tight contours. leadcore follows tight contours very precisely. We have had good results out in open basins on fish suspended 25 feet down, usually over 100 feet of water. These fish don,t seem to be boat shy, but that is probaly because they are fairly deep. I have probably been missing lots of fish up shallow that boards would of gotten all these years.

I would probably be lost out on your waters.

[ETT]

Depends on the situation. If you're bumpin bottom you may want a short (7' or so) leader. In a more open water or clear water situation you may go as long as 50'. Hope this helps. Good luck