I was just curious what type of line & length of leader you guys would recommend for lead core trolling on Lake Pepin? I am going to try doing some lead core trolling this year and purchased a Diawa LC 47 reel with 18# lead core rigged on it along with a 8’6″ medium light action trolling rod. Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys!
EyesHaveIt
Eyes,
that is the right reel to hold all your colors. as far as backing, I’d use a small dia. braid in a 10-12 lb test. alot of times you won’t have all your colors out when you are at the depths you want. when you do have it all out, you don’t want any mono stretch. put enough on there that your top color will be at full reel capacity. you prob will not be able to put more than 30 yards on there. let us know how it goes. Jack.. 
Thanks for the input Jack. I appreciate it very much. I should clarify my question however, as I most curious about length and type of line being used for leader extending from end of lead core to the cross lock where you attach the crankbait for trolling in river and on Lake Pepin. Is it 10-20 feet or more or less than that and do you prefer mono or braided line? Thanks.
EyesHaveIt
Eyes,
sorry I had the wrong end.
I’d at least 15′ of 10# mono. some might go longer. more experienced lead core guys will add their thought also. Jack..
Hi EyesHaveIt,
Personally I like a 10 to15ft. leader of 30lb test PowerPro. If I get into a really snaggy area and get hung up, I can usually pull it free. Also it takes abrasion better than mono and you won’t have to retie as often.
I use a 25 ft leader of 20# powerpro. A 10 ft leader to me would seem to be to short because if your trolling 15ft of water and you get a snagg you wouldn’t be able to real to leader. A snagg would be very hard to get out or break. If you break the leadcore you just probably ruined 10ft of leadcore. I found out the hard way. It is alot easier to get out if you can real some of the leader onto you real.
I run 10 feet of green 10# Stren Magnathin or P-line.
I use 20 feet
I use a 5 to 10ft leader of fireline. I use the shorter leader because I have more control over my lure that way.
With a shorter leader you can let your lure down and bring it back up alot faster, either by raiseing the pole or speeding up your boat.
With the shorter leader you can also see the lure vib on the tip of your pole ALOT better, so you will know when you have garbage on your line.
Good Luck
Well said B.
If you’ve got extra spools of lead core with….. 
If you’re going to be versitile running leadcore through various structures and depths a long leader is a must. Kinda like pulling lindy rigs. A longer leader allows more change in presentation I’ll agree that different lengths have their own applications varying on speed of trolling and depth. Sheesh lets try to be a little open minded 
Hey Brian,
I’ve been thinking about your reply of a shorter leader for better lure control, and it makes sense to me. Thanks for your insight,I’m going to give it a try. 
Matt what brand of core do you use?
I dont understand how you are breaking the core?
I put new leadcore on my reels every year and very rarely do I ever break the core.
I am with Brian on this one 4-10ft leader of Berkley Big Game is what I use but you will Definatly like that shorter leader for the reasons Brian has stated.
I’ve used 2 kinds. Cortland and one other I don’t have on a reel right now. I can’t remember what the name of that one. Can anyone recommend a good leadcore. I fish leadcore quite a bit, but I can always use advice if something works better. The biggest problem encountering snags is when the core breaks and the lead recedes into the braided line. Brian I’m honestly not sure how it happens.
The whole idea of using leadcore core is to keep the bait in one area. When following the “magic depth” it is a must, and when fishing leadcore shines. When I’m pulling core around I’ll usually be pulling a shallower running stick. If you’re fishing a constant depth a shorter leader is compliant to your needs. However in the situation where you travling over humps and holes, a leader 15-20 foot allows travel through varying bottom content from my experience. I do realize that this is not standard procedure but if you are having issues fishing various structures do to snags and varying terrain, just try it once. You may never put a short one on again.
Now I’m not one to stir the pot, but I’m going to have to completely disagree with brians comment of being able to change depth faster. Like I said earlier, The whole concept of using core is to keep the bait in one area and depth. The fastest way to adjust your core line is to reel it in. At this point I wish a had a diagram. Lifting your rod or increasing speed will have very minimal effects pertaining to a quick change of depth.
Think of it in three dimensions. If you were to move your rod tip left or right pulling core, it takes along time for your lure to move an equal distance. Or in the situation of speeding up a bit. Think of trying to concentrate your boat at “the magic” depth and going around a point. If you speed up going around a point your lure will not move faster radially outward from the structure you’re trying to stay away from. Hence the beauty of using leadcore line. It stays in one place for the most part unless you reel in line. So someone may ask “how do you compensate for change in contour without reeling in?” And my response would be “Just put on a longer leader”
Its just one of things that works differently in a variety of fashions. If the shoe fits wear it. I would like to hear other methods. This is good topic that doesn’t get the popularity it deserves.
Matt
I use leadcore to fish the bottom. The bottom would be the “one area”! or magic depth.
I do have to say we have two differt styles of fishing the core. I have never ran a shallow stick with leadcore I have never even thought of it.
Good Luck!
Do you run deep raps on bottom bouncers? “Thats like wiping before you poop” (Larry the Cable Guy). 
Using leadcore to access the bottom is a great use of it. However applications of core are much broader than that. I Beleive it is important to note I have no particular “style” of using it. Rationing yourself to only fish leadcore in a single manner is not utilizing it to its full potential. I’ll use almost any style rap behind leadcore. Thats one of my favorite things about it. Pulling a smithwick behind it is deadly. I hope there are others that have some insight on this.
Matt
I use 18# Magibraid to get small cranks down to the bottom if the bite is tough. 90% of the time I’m running three-ways on superline. Anytime I don’t have to let out more line than what I’m fishing is a plus.
One thing I’m still constantly trying trying to get the hang of figuring how deep I’m fishing using different lures. I’ve found using some deep cranks pulls harder on the line and they almost defeat the purpose of using leadcore. The only solution I’ve found to this is slowing down, or just switching baits all together. Precision trolling guide helps a little I guess.
Matt
OK…
I have been thinking about this for a bit.
Bare with me.. Imagine kneeling on the ground and looking under a trampoline your horizon would be flat, now imagine a 300pd person standinging in the middle. Thats what your leadcore looks like with your long leaders and your shallow stickbaits. thats not precision trolling. Lets be open minded!
The LEADcore is heavy, from the end of your leadcore to your lure the depth will be way off with 20ft leaders.
Lures only go so deep leadcore brings them deeper <- purpose of leadcore!
Thats how I see it.
I’ve been pondering this for countless hours also. I think I may have lost sleep over it last night. 
I must say you chose a very descriptive scenario for graphical interpretation 
I picked it up instantaneously. I see your point. Even though I run a 20 foot leader I still snag into some bottom content. I know I’m fishing in the bottom 3 feet at most when I’m targeting the bottom. Even using a stick shad.
I like your analogy so I’ll use it again only on one side of the heffer(300#er) put a 225# person. Thats the presentation I’m using.
It just dawned on me what our difference is(at this moment). 
Sweet,… I think I can clear this up.
First I describe what your presentation looks like(I Hope)
You’re using the leadcore to get down so far…..Then you’re utilizing the deep diving shads to gain an extra “so many feet or so”. So a perpendicualr view from the side of your line looks like a wave white capping at a 45 degree angle.
Now we have something in common. When I use deep shads(rarely) I do the same thing only with a longer leader.
Heres the different scenario. When I’m pulling sticks or shallow baits (most often) I use the leadcore to take the bait all the way to the desired depth whether its 30 feet or 50 feet. When used in this manner it looks like half the trampoline you decribed. Sometimes I’ll even drag the line on the bottom using a smaller floating rap. Kind of like using the line as a bottom bouncer or a cushion between the bottom and the bait.
I now see what you’re saying. We’re just using it slightly different nothing major. I hope you can tell what I’m doing by my description. I’m glad I got that cleared up.
Any way its done, I’m a big fan of leadcore. I use it a lot out walleye fishing unless I’m spring jigging.
I’m going to find a diagram to post here.
Hope this is clearer
Matt
Ok so you think dragging your line threw the mud infront of the lure doesnt spook the fish??
Well we figured out how you break the core!
Good Luck!!
I heard peeing in the water spooks them too. 
I’ll also agree on the shorter 6-7 foot leader on leadcore, especially on the river. My leader is typically 12-17 lb XT mono, or a braid. But I lean towards the heavy mono most of the time. In my observations, it makes little difference what crank you are running. In other words, a #7 shad rap will run about the same as a #11 Rapala stick bait. You can see this by letting out your crank and leader until the leadcore is just entering the water. Hold it there at the speed you intend to troll. Both cranks noted above will be running just under the water with 6 feet of leader line out. The shad rap will only be slightly deeper than the stick. Virtually no difference when compared to your targeted depth. (In other words, 12 feet deep, compared to 12 feet – one or two inches)
I’ll also agree with Brian and Nate when they talk about being able to adjust depth quickly. I don’t think I can explain any science behind it, but with the shorted leader, you will definitely be able to get that crank up in a hurry. A lot of times its grabbing the rod and holding it over my head.
Another thing to keep in mind. I’ll fish leadcore in depths as shallow as 8-10 feet. Basically one and a half colors and the leader and that crank is 7 feet down and only 40 feet behind the boat. There are many times you want to keep everything tight to the boat, especially fishing stumps, snags and high traffic areas. It’s much easier to control a crank with a short leadcore set up than flatlineing a rap out 40-60 feet in those same areas.
Speed. We all end up developing or own formulas. For me its One color will take any crank down 6 feet at 2.0 MPH. This formula holds pretty consistent out to 5 colors.
Good Luck.
-J.
Thanks for all of the great information guys. Sounds like lead core trolling involves some trial & error & everyone has a few things they do differently than the next guy. I think I am going to try using about a 8-10 foot leader of 10/4 Fireline for starters anyway. I like the idea of being able to run shorter lines with lead core in certain situations with heavy boat traffic like Jon J. mentioned such as on the channel edge along the buoy line at the head of the lake on Pepin. Keep the posts coming!
EyesHaveIt
Quote:
mentioned such as on the channel edge along the buoy line at the head of the lake on Pepin. Keep the posts coming!
You’re in luck… I have watched Brian put on an absolute clinic pullin’ lead through there. 
-J.
well I have been in the boat with brian pulling cranks through there and also in the baot behind him pulling cranks there.
Hey Brian,
good to see you agian, hopefully we can get out and hit #3 this summer for a day, are you up for it?
shane
I’ve done a bit of leadlining with Brian. He and I both use virtually the same setup. I use 8-10 feet of Fireline under my lead. I use this same setup when pulling deep divers as well as stickbaits and even when leadlining spinnerrigs.
If I were fishing cleaner water (lakes) then I would move to a longer leader.
My two cents.
I have to agree with Brian and Lenny too. That setup works very good.
Thanks, Bill
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