Line Calculator for reel size's

[bushwacker]

I was looking for what size reel I needed to run some leadcore set-ups and came across this Calculator very handy. The reviews I saw of it on another forum were very positive. The Calculator is about half way down the page and you can save it to your computer once it's open.

www.glangler.com/tools-and-info

[drag4striper]

Thanks for the link. From my experiences a Shimano Tekota 500 holds 100 yds of the newer tuff line microlead or suffix braid leadcore perfectly. But if you're using the older types of leadcore like Mason brand you will need a reel with a larger spool similar in size to a Penn 209.

I will add you can also run segments of leadcore with a good backing like braid.
And that may let you use your current reels.
Most times I run no more than 150' out plus a 25' leader depending on the fish and thermocline in summer. If you encounter fish deeper using segments you can always stop and let it sink. (Using the Kentucky sinkage method) lol Beware the trees!

[johnr]

Good link. I've been thinking of rebuilding my leadcore setups with some of the newer leadcore that has come out and that table should come in handy. I always used the cabelas depthmaster leadcore reels, but have had some problems with the level wind, mostly at the worst possible times.

A few years back we were having a very slow morning of pulling leadcore in the summer. By mid morning I was 8 colors deep and still not getting bites. For whatever reason, I kicked it up to about 5-6 mph and both rods bowed up. So we kept up the pattern of 8 colors and high speed, until I realized we could accomplish the same catching with less reeling by putting out 4 colors and going the same speed. Our spoons couldn't have been more than 10-15 feet deep, but most fish we were marking were in the 40-50 foot depth range. They'll go a long ways to eat sometimes.

Some days leadcore is the ticket, and the next day it won't get a sniff.