Lead core vs Snap weights?

[MOREYES]

I am trying to decide whether to by a set up for lead core or go with snap weights. Do the two act the same or is one better than the other?

Thanks
Moreyes

[SeaCat]

For walleye, I would favor the Snap weights.

Main reason is that you don't need the special rod/reel that is necessary for lead core. Can buy a lot of snap weights for just the cost of a LC line.

Have used lead core for chinook and lakers on Lk Michigan, and they do work. Quite a fight from the fish too since the LC is no stretch. One of the main reasons LC is very effective in the salmon fishery over downriggers is that it gets the bait deep but also away from the boat. Since most of this fishing is 50' or deeper and most walleye fishing is 50' or less, I'm not sure how effective it would be. Sure does cut down on the manuverability of the boat though with hundreds of feet of line out.

Ryan

[Fishnwiz]

I have and do use both methods out of my boat. No special rods are needed and any oversized baitcast type reel will do th trick for leadcore line. Most leadcore line is color coded and there is no need for a special line counting reel. Be advised that leadcore line is slow and combersome and the line does hold alot of water so this can be a problem if you fish late fall in freezing temps. If you do decide to go with leadcore...go with the lighter pound test line (under 20) as the size of the lead in the line is the same in all pound test line and the heavier pound test lines create alot more resistance in the water, therefore they sink less and do not go as deep!
A little trick to use if you go with leadcore line is to shift the motor out of gear from time to time..this lets the lure sink toward the bottom at a slow rate.This action pays off BIG from time to time. I have taken some of my biggest fish off of leadcore line. Snap weights are much easier to use and also produce well! Wiz

[Bullet]

Moreyes, The 2 act differently but both do the basic job of getting your bait to a specific depth.The leadcore reacts slowly and more subtle
than snap weights.The other post is right, snap weights are quicker and some what easier to use. I have ran both at the same time and somedays one out performs the other on a given day. Don't think that these systems are for deep water only. I fish a reservoir that has mud flats of 8'-12'deep,and run leadcore & spinners and have
great luck. If I were you I would carry both. You only need 3 colors of lead to cover depths down to 30', so you don't need special reels or rods. I use Abu Garcia 6500 reels for leadcore and they work great. Good fishing! Bullet