Lead core is a sinking, colour-segmented line used to troll a presentation at a specific depth. It’s inexpensive and precise. Every colour of lead core let out (i.e. 10 yards) translates to roughly five or six feet of depth, give or take a foot or so, at typical walleye trolling speeds of approximately one and a half-to-two miles-per-hour (2.4-3.2 km/h). Achieving precise depth control is as straightforward as counting colours and doing a little math. Four colours and worm harness will run around 20 to 24 feet, for example. A diving lure gets you more depth.
“A Down Deep Husky Jerk is going to run at least 30-plus feet down on four colours,” said Greg Amiel, a Great Lakes multi-species fishing guide. “But trolling lead core isn’t an exact science and there are a lot of variables that come into play. Letting out backing, for example, is going to make that crank dive deeper.”
Trolled core takes unique path
Another benefit of lead core is it gives a presentation a different trajectory than other trolling techniques. For instance, a snap weight clipped on the line puts all the sinking mass at one place on the line. Lead core does the opposite, spreading weight along the entirety of the line. Consequently, the vertical swim characteristics of lures trolled behind these two set-ups varies.
In wavy conditions, or when turning the boat, a snap weight causes a lure to have quick, sharp directional changes. Lead core, on the other hand, acts like a buffer, gradually leading a bait up and down. There are days when lead core’s vertical swim signature is irresistible for walleye.
A slower reaction to waves and speed changes also makes lead core excellent for contour trolling. In the hands of a master, it can be used for spinner rigs, spoons, stickbaits, and other lures through the strike zone of bottom-oriented walleye with incredible precision. Amiel recommends regularly checking baits are clean of debris when trolling close to bottom using a sinking line.
Tips for turns
Lead core located on the inside of a turn will slow and sink. Catching a walleye on an inside line is a cue to run lures a bit deeper, slow down, or both.
Another turn-related tactic Amiel deploys is attaching a one- to two-ounce Off-Shore Snap Weight to lead core after letting out two-and-a-half colours or so. Doubling-up on lead causes the line to drop on a steep angle behind planer boards and allows tighter turns when trolling. This maneuverability is beneficial when fishing areas crowded with other boats, following schools of bait and walleye, and working a specific structure.
Starter set-up pointers
A popular setup for walleye is spooling a reel with four to six colours of lead core. Add a 25-foot, 20-pound fluorocarbon leader at one end and plenty of 30-pound braid backing at the other. Being a multi-species guide, Amiel spools up his Shimano Tekota reels with 27-pound lead core as he uses the same trolling setups for walleye, as well as salmon and trout.
Line-counter reels still handy
Since counting colours makes it easy to control a bait’s depth, you don’t need a line-counter reel. Amiel still uses one, however, noting the info the counter provides helps keep planer board spreads organized, and makes replicating fish-catching patterns easier.
He’s quick to point out, though, that lead core’s larger line diameter throws off the counter’s calibration, which is typically tuned for 10-pound mono line. Despite the possible inaccuracy, the numbers remain relevant for apples-to-apples comparisons of similar lead core set-ups.
Tie good knots
Breaking-off lead core is more costly than losing metres of mono. An improved clinch is fast and easy to tie. Amiel also likes a Crazy Alberto. If eager to expand your walleye trolling prowess, give lead core a try — or dust off a neglected set-up you already own. While it’s not a bulletproof trolling solution, it offers unique benefits.
Lines
A 10-colour spool of Sufix or Tuf-Line (10 yards per colour) lead core costs around $30. For walleye, 12- or 18-pound is a good choice. Spooling six colours with ample braid as backing will fit most 600-sized reels.
The fast-sinking Sufix 832 Advanced Lead Core is made of Dyneema and Gore fibres, and dives 30% deeper and is much stronger traditional lead core.
Rods built to core
To avoid the risk of wearing a groove in your rod’s guides and inserts, get a rod built for the job:
- Daiwa Great Lakes Series Leadcore/Copper Wire Trolling
- Rods and new TwiliTip Leadcore models (Stainless steel guides)
- Rapala RSC Wire/Leadcore Rods (solid ring, black nickel guides)
- Shimano Telora Copper/Lead Core Trolling Rods (stainless steel guides)
- St. Croix’s Eyecon Trolling Rods (aluminum oxide guide rings)
Reverse spooling
To take the guesswork out of how much backing to put on a reel, fishing guide Shawn Banks recommends spooling up in reverse.
The method requires two identical reels.
He explains: “Start with reeling on your fluorocarbon leader. Then attach your preferred length of lead core, and finally your braid or mono backing.”
After filling the reel to capacity, tie the backing to the second reel and proceed to wind the line. You’ll be left with a perfectly filled spool.
Originally published in Ontario OUT of DOORS’ Fishing Annual 2024
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