Rigging Lead Core Line
 

I'm a light tackle fisherman, but have decided to rig a rod for jigging and trolling in water depths of 30-50 feet. This will be for stripers on Cape Cod during early summer. I'm staying clear of wire given that some of those using the rig have little or no fishing experience.

I'm looking at a 6.5' rod with a Penn 321 (left-handed levelwind) and 20 or 30 pound lead core (200 yards?). I've heard that superlines (e.g., power pro) are good for backing as they do not rot and are thinner than dacron.

I'm looking for suggestions for rigging. Am I on the right track?

two things:
1. I'd go with 100yds wire and a penn 113HSP, (I got an okuma wireline rod for $80. many fish on it with no noticable wear.)
2. if you go with lead core, I found anything under 36lb test snapped easily.

Good luck

I'm looking at a 6.5' rod with a Penn 321 (left-handed levelwind) and 20 or 30 pound lead core (200 yards?). I've heard that superlines (e.g., power pro) are good for backing as they do not rot and are thinner than dacron.
I believe the 321 only holds 100 yds of 36lb lead core. 36lb is the lowest you would want to go.

I use 4-5 colors of 36lb lead core on an outfit with 50lb Power Pro for backing with Albright knot. I strip out 8" of lead and tie braid to braid. I feel using all ten colors is not needed for me and I can still troll at Depths of 50 feet plus. I also save half of the 100 yard spool for each loading.

Don't use anything but 36lbs leadcore, anything less is to light and anything heavier sinks to fast and your bait will be closer to the boat and therefore closer to your engines noise. Also the reel of choice is the penn 330 gti great drag and holds up for years under heavy use. You can put 200 yards of 40lbs mono backing and 5 colors and it fits perfectly. Use 18 ft of 50lbs clear leader material. An 80lbs spro barrel should be used to connect the backing to the leadcore and the leadcore to the leader. Take a foot of lead out of the leadcore where you will be tying the knots, use a palomar not for the leadcore and an inproved clinch on the mono and leader. This rig is fool proof good luck!