This is going to sound like the most ridiculous question to most people I'm sure but here we go.
I've never used leadcore before (always been banned on waters I've fished) but my new club allow it and it probably needs to become part of my arsenal for the way I'll be fishing (staying agile on day sessions and moving on to the fish).
There's plenty of videos out there showing how to splice the leadcore on to the mainline but I don't think I've seen anything on how you attach the other end? In my case it will probably be to a Korda Heli safe but may also be to a drop off in line lead for pva bags. Is it as simple as removing some of the lead then tying a grinner knot with the outer material?
I'm sure it's really simple and logical just not had to do it before!
I've never used leadcore before (always been banned on waters I've fished) but my new club allow it and it probably needs to become part of my arsenal for the way I'll be fishing (staying agile on day sessions and moving on to the fish).
There's plenty of videos out there showing how to splice the leadcore on to the mainline but I don't think I've seen anything on how you attach the other end? In my case it will probably be to a Korda Heli safe but may also be to a drop off in line lead for pva bags. Is it as simple as removing some of the lead then tying a grinner knot with the outer material?
I'm sure it's really simple and logical just not had to do it before!
In reply to Post #1
You can splice it or just strip a couple of inches of lead out and tie it to the lead, snap link etc. Just a 2 or 3 turn blood knot holds it fine.
You can splice it or just strip a couple of inches of lead out and tie it to the lead, snap link etc. Just a 2 or 3 turn blood knot holds it fine.
I'd splice the swivel or fitting to the end normally.
Get yourself one of the fox slicing needles, looks a bit weird but much easier than a gate latch needle IMO.
Get yourself one of the fox slicing needles, looks a bit weird but much easier than a gate latch needle IMO.
In reply to Post #1
I splice a loop both ends - can loop to loop onto any type of swivel - I use it with heli-safe too.
It means all my leaders are 'universal' - I can use them for any type of set up.
I splice a loop both ends - can loop to loop onto any type of swivel - I use it with heli-safe too.
It means all my leaders are 'universal' - I can use them for any type of set up.
In reply to Post #1
Same as post no4 , I splice loops both ends and then loop on whatever I'm using
Same as post no4 , I splice loops both ends and then loop on whatever I'm using
In reply to Post #1
Please dont do that. Using a drop off inline means a fish trailing leadcore in the result of a cut off of crack off, creating a death rig. Same for dropping the lead on a heli with leadcore. Leadcore should only be used with a heli with the lead fixed
Please dont do that. Using a drop off inline means a fish trailing leadcore in the result of a cut off of crack off, creating a death rig. Same for dropping the lead on a heli with leadcore. Leadcore should only be used with a heli with the lead fixed
In reply to Post #6
Can you explain a bit more on the heli? I get what you mean with the in line (I'm assuming with a fixed lead the fish can use the weight of it to shake the hook), but with a heli would the no trace bead system not ensure that they're only attached to the hooklink? Or do you believe that it needs the weight of the lead to be able to work properly and that the lead would shake prior to the hooklink going over the beads?
Can you explain a bit more on the heli? I get what you mean with the in line (I'm assuming with a fixed lead the fish can use the weight of it to shake the hook), but with a heli would the no trace bead system not ensure that they're only attached to the hooklink? Or do you believe that it needs the weight of the lead to be able to work properly and that the lead would shake prior to the hooklink going over the beads?
I will splice at the lead end and always needle knot at the mainline end.
Whether that be leadless or lead core just to be on the safe side
And will mostly use a Korda no trace bead set up
Whether that be leadless or lead core just to be on the safe side
And will mostly use a Korda no trace bead set up
In reply to Post #1
I used to use leadcore, long ago, until I came to the conclusion the risks using it outweighed the positives.
From mainline to leadcore was always needle knotted. The lead end was always spliced.
The only possibly safe setup with leadcore is with a helicopter lead. The lead must NOT be ejected, it has to stay on. It is the lead itself that catches and allows the rig to be ejected.
Do NOT use an inline, lead clip or running lead with leadcore.
Your helicopter beads need to be able to come off over the needle knot, as does the rig.
If the leadcore gets kinked it can trap beads, preventing rig ejection. If the lead inner breaks it can poke through the leadcore weave and trap beads.
My honest opinion is do not use leadcore, (or any leaders) unless the water is weed and snag free.
I used to use leadcore, long ago, until I came to the conclusion the risks using it outweighed the positives.
From mainline to leadcore was always needle knotted. The lead end was always spliced.
The only possibly safe setup with leadcore is with a helicopter lead. The lead must NOT be ejected, it has to stay on. It is the lead itself that catches and allows the rig to be ejected.
Do NOT use an inline, lead clip or running lead with leadcore.
Your helicopter beads need to be able to come off over the needle knot, as does the rig.
If the leadcore gets kinked it can trap beads, preventing rig ejection. If the lead inner breaks it can poke through the leadcore weave and trap beads.
My honest opinion is do not use leadcore, (or any leaders) unless the water is weed and snag free.
I Just saw a clever lead core knot on the farlows angling direct facebook page
I wouldn't drop the lead on a helicopter rig on any line but especially with lead core. The safety aspect of the rig is completely lost without the lead. With the lead to pull against the fish will quickly end up with just the hook link. I also think that Korda no trace beads are the best and safest to use. They work every time. However you join the leadcore to your mainline, suitable knot or loop to loop, the swivel on the hook link must be able to pass over the loops, knots or anything on the leadcore easily. I believe that 1 metre of leadcore should be max and there should be nothing, including putty on the mainline above the leadcore. Take no risks with leadcore, plenty of alternatives, maybe time we got rid of it.
In reply to Post #11
Used properly I don't see that it's any worse than a lot of other lead free leader materials. Some of those have breaking strains of 30-50lb and are super abrasion resistant. So just as likely to tether a fish and very unlikely to snap.
I've used leadcore for many many years. I always made my own leaders up, but this year I've switched to the korda pre-tied helicopter versions. I think they are very very good. They have perfect tiny splices, the weave is tight so not once have I had lead poke through, they are very limp and they come supplied with the no trace bead attached. For someone new to leadcore I strongly suggest you start off with these as you can't get it wrong. When or if you do start to make your own, this is the standard you should be aiming for to know yours are safe.
Used properly I don't see that it's any worse than a lot of other lead free leader materials. Some of those have breaking strains of 30-50lb and are super abrasion resistant. So just as likely to tether a fish and very unlikely to snap.
I've used leadcore for many many years. I always made my own leaders up, but this year I've switched to the korda pre-tied helicopter versions. I think they are very very good. They have perfect tiny splices, the weave is tight so not once have I had lead poke through, they are very limp and they come supplied with the no trace bead attached. For someone new to leadcore I strongly suggest you start off with these as you can't get it wrong. When or if you do start to make your own, this is the standard you should be aiming for to know yours are safe.
In reply to Post #12
Completely agree on the Korda helicopter leaders. All I use these days, top notch and as safe as it gets.
Agree on the newer alternatives. The safety aspects should be just the same as leadcore.
I do think that leadcore will hold kinks and any twists much more than other lines and does not spring or spin free. This does make it potentially more dangerous in my opinion.
Completely agree on the Korda helicopter leaders. All I use these days, top notch and as safe as it gets.
Agree on the newer alternatives. The safety aspects should be just the same as leadcore.
I do think that leadcore will hold kinks and any twists much more than other lines and does not spring or spin free. This does make it potentially more dangerous in my opinion.
In reply to Post #7
Nope, the lead acts as an anchor to give the beads chance to be pull off and therefore free the hooklink. No lead, no anchor, no release of beads. As others have said, leadcore or any other heavy leader, should only be used with heli setups with the lead fixed. Those heli safe systems should be removed from sale, or at least adapted so leaders can't be used with them
Nope, the lead acts as an anchor to give the beads chance to be pull off and therefore free the hooklink. No lead, no anchor, no release of beads. As others have said, leadcore or any other heavy leader, should only be used with heli setups with the lead fixed. Those heli safe systems should be removed from sale, or at least adapted so leaders can't be used with them
In reply to Post #14
One of the problems here is the need of media "experts"to promote rigs. I know we all started once and had to learn but leadcore and other, shall we say, more advanced rig components were things you progressed onto as you gained experience. Now they are available to the new carper from day one, someone who may not have all the knowledge and potential problems clearly understood.
I guess given that you can't go backwards then the likes of Korda readymade rigs is the way to go.
One of the problems here is the need of media "experts"to promote rigs. I know we all started once and had to learn but leadcore and other, shall we say, more advanced rig components were things you progressed onto as you gained experience. Now they are available to the new carper from day one, someone who may not have all the knowledge and potential problems clearly understood.
I guess given that you can't go backwards then the likes of Korda readymade rigs is the way to go.