I have never tried leadcore but am going to give it a shot. I have a few questions on the set-up:

I bought the 18 lb lead core and am planning on putting it on the Penn 320 GT that I bought at the store. I hope I bought the correct size lead core (could have bought 27 lb test but it had a larger diameter...so assumed it would equal out).

The reel I have holds 320 yds of 20 lb test & I am not sure what the ratio is with the leadcore. Planning on putting about 100 yds of 25 lbs test on the reel then connecting the leadcore to the 25 lb test backing. Then putting about 7 ft of 15lb test flouro as a leader before I tie on a Mack's jig.

Am I thinking this out correctly?

Thanks,

Brent

Brent, I would not put any more than 25 yards of backing on a 320. On the 27lb we usually put 15 to 20 yards. It will not hold a 100 yrds of 25lb backing with ten colors. The sink rate on the two is about the same. I would use 50 ft of leader. This way when you hang a tree you can get back over it and not break any of the leadcore.

Thanks Clay, That makes sense.

Should I have gone with the 27lb lead core or is the 18 okay?

Brent

Bigfish I have run both and they work fine. Just remember if you get snagged on the bottom and you are running two lines, DO NOT let the line go limp or you WILL lose the whole shooting match in the trees......

Good advice. That makes sense but I would not have thought about it.

I only put 15 yards of backing (25lb test) and the leadcore about filled the Penn 320 to the max. Couldn't get 50 feet of leader on there. I put a about 15 feet of 15lb flouro leader, which is a little less than the leacore (18lb test) so hopefully it will break before the leadcore if I get hung.

Probably should have bought a new reel for this but I'll give it a shot like it is set up.

Clay/Takindrag,
Thanks for the help/advice.

Brent

my son and I went out last night and trolled 27 lbs leadcore. we were using a 2oz bucktail pretty fast-3.3 to 4.2 mph. we caught a 2 lbs spot that just nailed the bait and a little while later had a good hook up but lost the bucktail when the leader broke. We were only using 10 lbs. flouro and the line just broke after a few surges. Any suggestions on leader size? My drag was a little tight but not so bad that it should have broke right away. we caught the spot and hooked up again in front of six mile in 90 ft of water.

Bigfish. We have been using 18lb. lead core for several years and its OK. The 27lb. is probably better. I use both a 320 & a 330 PENN. IF you buy another reel the 330 Penn is larger/better. Fifteen-twenty yards of backer is enough. Clay's suggestion of 30-50' of leader is better with the 10 colors. Leader size can be 15-20 lb. test fluorocarbon, that way you can grab the leader to "pull on" when you get stuck. It breaks not the lead core. Most times 2.5/3.0 speed is OK with 18lb. lead core. Most of the channel areas are deep enough for 6-8 colors (30-40' deep with 2 oz.)at that speed. Stripermack, you need to set your drag (light) so that a big fish surge (or a snag) will not snap the leader. Better to hear it "sing" than lose the BIG fish. Those big reels can haul in the big fish. We caught numerous fish last year in the 22-28lb class with no problems. Capt. Dave Bush aboard the "Lady Rose".