Swivels to Attach Lead Core

I have heard different ways and methods of attaching lead core to your leader. I have been running the willis knot, but I recently heard about using a small barrel swivel to attach the leader to lead core. I am just wondering how long of leader people are running off of their swivels? I cannot imagine that it could be terribly long, due to the fact that you would have to reel the swivels up through the eyelets. I also have heard if you run too short of leader it could affect the bait swim pattern? What type of swivels do you recommend when using this method? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Spro swivels,leader about the same length as your rod.

From STC I am guessing you are fishing Mille Lacs…
Those of us here that run swivels are using #10 SPRO swivels.
We are also using 30′ leaders on our LC. The #10 spro will go through most rod eyelets. I see shorter leaders like 10′ used on stained water, 10 may work on ML but I dont know.

If you can use the willis it is the way to go. The ease of the knot depends the LC sheath. Suffix LC is tough to tie the Willis as the sheath is a loose braid. Courtland, Cabelas and Woodstock tie well using the Willis as well as a uni to an overhand.

I run 30′ leaders and small swivels that fit through the level wind guide on the reel. Never had a problem with them.

I use a 50 foot leader and tie the swivel one arms length from the end (46′- swivel – 6′- lure). I use the arms length so I know how much of the leader is lost when changing lures. When it gets to about 3′ from the swivel I tie on another arms length ( 6′).

I dont use a swivel at all first strip the dacron back about 1 1/2 ” and break the lead off now do a simple overhand knot in the lead core line. Take the mono and feed it up the leadcore sheath. take it sloow and slide the overhand knot down to the end of the dacron and pull tight you have a real small knot soft and just as strong if not stronger. the leader length I like is 25 to 30 ft

This is a line to line connection that has been fail free for me connecting leadcore line to leaders weather it is flourocarbon or braid. I simply tie a overhand knot in the lead not removing the lead from the dacron sheath and cinching it down very tight then removing the tag end before tying my leader meterial to the leadcore above the knot in the line with a clinch knot and cinching it down to the knot in the lead and cinching it very tight and trimming off all tag ends. This line to line connection will alow you to run as long a leader as you would like because this knot will be able to run through your rod guides with out causing any damage. I typically run a 30 foot leader and this connection has never failed me. Hope this bit of information will help you with connecting leaders to your leadcore.

Paul Delaney
http://www.lateeyessportfishing.com