Depth-Hunter vs. Fireline Tracer

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by h8go4s

"Decided against lead core because of the damage to the rod."

Huh? What damage does leadcore do to the rod? Please enlighten me.

Steeleyes was telling me in another thread, how lead core can damage the guides on a rod by cutting a groove (over time) where the line runs.













.

[Steeleyes]

You got them crossed. Wire line will damage/groove your guides over time, not leadcore. That said, leadcore will eat up a lot of the capacity on your reel, so you would want to use that reel capacity calculator to see how much you could get on, and then if that amount works for your local fishing applications.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by Steeleyes

You got them crossed. Wire line will damage/groove your guides over time, not leadcore. That said, leadcore will eat up a lot of the capacity on your reel, so you would want to use that reel capacity calculator to see how much you could get on, and then if that amount works for your local fishing applications.

My bad.

So I might be back to the lead core idea...

How's the sensitivity? How often does it kink? Who makes it other than Sufix?

I still haven't given up on the metered braid idea though - if it has some unique benefits that the lead core can't provide...?

[Just One More Cast]

Originally Posted by Skillzilla

My bad.

So I might be back to the lead core idea...

How's the sensitivity? How often does it kink? Who makes it other than Sufix?

I still haven't given up on the metered braid idea though - if it has some unique benefits that the lead core can't provide...?

How's the sensitivity? terrible but you don't usually hold a rod with lead...just troll it.

How often does it kink? Quite often if you don't have your spool friction set right. Plus you basically pull it off the reel while lightly holding a finger on top of the spool and pointing your rod to the back of the boat while going about 3 mph to get it out fast. Then drop back to 1.6 - 2.2 mph & troll.

Who makes it other than Sufix? I like Suffix but Cabelas, Mason & I'm sure more mfgs.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by Just One More Cast

How's the sensitivity? terrible but you don't usually hold a rod with lead...just troll it.

So this is the main difference between lead core and braid lines - sensitivity, and the kinking (sounds like a itchb). How else are they different?

Can you hold a rod with braid and a dipsey (seems like the lightest of the diving devices to hold if you could hold any)?

[Steeleyes]

I use the Mason leadcore (not the readi-core) and am happy. Cortland Line Co makes a good leadcore as well and can be bought in a 3 color segment.
As was stated you have to let leadcore out slow, keep pressure on the spool or it will backlash. But kinks aren't to bad since the lead isn't there for strength, just weight. The strength comes from the dacron or braid sheathing. If you do go with leadcore learn the willis leadcore knot for attaching your backing and leader.

Leadcore vs. braid will really depend on where you fish, how deep you fish, and your style of trolling baits. Straight leadcore can get a wider variety of baits to depth than braid can, such as worm harnesses. But leadcore will limit your depths to the amount you have on the reel. With braid you can use deep diving cranks, or use a diving device such as dipsy divers to achieve even greater depths. Basically they each bring their own limitations and versatility. I fish Erie and we have been targeting our baits this summer at around 50-60 feet deep. So I've been running almost exclusively dipsys off of braid or mono, as that is just to deep for my 1/2 core setups. I won't do full cores because of the amount of line needed to let out to hit that depth.

[Skillzilla]

Went out to three of the local fishing stores to check out my options.

Looked at the Cortland and one other brand of #18 lead core. ish is heavy. After considering it, I'm going with braid. Braid (and a dipsey) is just easier to work with it seems.

Both the Fireline and the Power Pro braids were as I expected them to be; Fireline was smooth as a baby and Power Pro, not so much.

I'm curious if Fireline gets easier to tie a good knot with as the #test goes up or does it get worse? I have Fireline Fused #15test on my spinning and it ties a descent palomar and okay uni.

Gave my sister a spool of Power Pro #10test last year and found it a little more challenging to tie with the fraying ends.

Any thoughts?

[rps]

I have been using the PP Depthunter for over a year. I use 10/2 but 15/4 would work as well. I would not switch back to the Suffix metered braid, even though it was excellent line. Tie the Depthunter directly to the lure or diver using a double Palomer and you will find any breaks are not at the knot.

As for the line/reel recommendation issue, I routinely ignore the manufacturers suggestion. When trolling, not throwing, you rarely get overruns if you pay attention. The line slip over the spool edge issue stems from loose loops in overruns. Even when I had it happen throwing jerkbaits to brown trout on light line, it was easy to pop the reel cover off,and straighten the problem without cutting the line.

[Skillzilla]

Originally Posted by rps

I have been using the PP Depthunter for over a year. I use 10/2 but 15/4 would work as well. I would not switch back to the Suffix metered braid, even though it was excellent line. Tie the Depthunter directly to the lure or diver using a double Palomer and you will find any breaks are not at the knot.

As for the line/reel recommendation issue, I routinely ignore the manufacturers suggestion. When trolling, not throwing, you rarely get overruns if you pay attention. The line slip over the spool edge issue stems from loose loops in overruns. Even when I had it happen throwing jerkbaits to brown trout on light line, it was easy to pop the reel cover off,and straighten the problem without cutting the line.

Thanks for sharing your experiences RPS. Makes me feel more comfortable about making the choice to go with a lower #test.