Lead core basics

[jth21usa]

Can someone explain basic lead core fishing? Do you use planners? Are they only for long lines?

[Sk8man]

The main purpose of leadcore is to get the lure down into the range of the fish as it typically sinks about 5 ft.or so  for each 30 ft (most of it different colored at 10 yd intervals) but speed can affect this greatly. There are many ways to run it and depending also on what you are fishing for (e.g. walleyes or trout and salmon etc.).  Usually folks have various preferred setups that they feel work best in certain situations trolling (e.g. shorter sections in shallower depths  nearer shore or up toward the surface out deep ( e..g. for steelhead etc.) Common setups are 3, 5, 7, and 10 colors but fishermen have all sorts of favorite lengths or backing combinations or weights to be attached to get them deeper). Leadcore can be run form boards but it can be important at what length and what particular board as leadcore has a lot of "drag" or resistance in the water. For example you wouldn't want to run a 10 color off the old small yellowbirds because the drag would sink them but that same setup could be run from big boards or perhaps large inlines like the Church TX44's.  There is even a version I run sometimes off a downrigger that is either 1 or 2 colors called a secret weapon rig. It is very powerful sometimes and seldom mentioned perhaps on purpose   Leadcore at longer lengths is often run straight back without boards or down the "Chute" (middle area at the back of the boat). A lot depends on what else you are running as say a 10 color can get into other stuff like coppers  and it is a real mess to deal with when it happens but it is highly effective especially at certain times of the year when the fish are in the higher areas of the thermocline for example. Usually (but not always) single spoons or sticks are run from it. It is important to have a good amount of backing on the reel used typically braid such as Power Pro and this become quite critical when used on boards. You run the entire preferred section of leadcore out usually and attach the release on the boards to the backing. Some folks use a short section (s) of mono for this function spliced into the leadcore or braid backing. On the inline boards if using braid backing you'll want to replace the plastic pins at the back and possibly tighten down the jaws of the front release or wrap the braid around it a couple times to prevent "slippage wear"

Edited June 22, 2016 by Sk8man

[jth21usa]

Thanks, question why would you run lead core on a downrigger?

[mr 580]

The thought behind a "Secret Weapon Rig" is to get the signature of the short section of leadcore below the turbulence of the rigger ball and back further in the spread. SWR's can be deadly at certain times. If you are new to leadcore, you might want to start with working a 10 color and a 5 color off a board presentation and get comfortable with that first.

[bandrus1]

The secret weapon also adds the signature waving action that lead core has

[GlassWater Outdoors]

  There is even a version I run sometimes off a downrigger that is either 1 or 2 colors called a secret weapon rig. It is very powerful sometimes and seldom mentioned perhaps on purpose   

 

 

Lets not get too helpful! LOL 

[Big Dave]

SWR Is a stealth setup.   Gets the lure away from the noise and etc. of the boat. when the fish are spooky.  Plus you can get the leadcore deeper than you can on its own.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Big Dave

[skipper19]

100 foot copper too... in case the copper signature is better than lead..good for those streaker, non contact days.

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[Sk8man]

:lol:  Glasswater.  I've always wondered about the differences in the signature whether it is the "whipping' motion of the leadcore or even the possible electrical conductance of the copper in water detected by the lateral lines of the fish etc.....very interesting topic on its own....haven't ever seen any actual reported research studies on it.

[jlogger]

When running the "SWR" what method is used to attach the leadcore to the rigger release? I've heard that the releases directly on the leadcore will damage the leadcore, or is that not true? Is it just a matter of a preset length of lead attached to the mono with the mono in the release?

[dawg]

Preset leadcore setups so you can hook to backing

[Sk8man]

"Is it just a matter of a preset length of lead attached to the mono with the mono in the release?" YES

 

Mr580 is right that you should familiarize yourself with just the standard setup and then mess around with other options. The stuff takes a little getting used to compared with regular mono setups etc. and you need to be very careful deploying it to avoid tangles. I have a few setups that were once 10 colors and now are 5's or 7's if that is any clue

Edited June 22, 2016 by Sk8man

[TyeeTanic]

I use leadcore only with boards. Due to the length of line deployed I like to get them out of the way.

[bondouley]

We run leadcore just every way possible including SWR style. I like to run 7 or 10 color down the chute most days it is our most productive rod