ouchthathurt

no, i usually just stick to a brand. so its the ESP 'core for me. ive had no problems with it. i used the 'sinktube' by ESP this last session, not 100% impressed with it yet, but ive a few little things i can do to it to make it better, so i may well grow to like it.

ive just brought some ESP tubing to replace the leadcore in my rigs as im fishing tight to snags and i feel tubing is safer in the event of snagging/snapping up.

i couldnt really say to be honest, because i dont know! i would be just as happy using tubing, but i used leadcore years ago, before i started using tubing. leadcore was origianally a flyline, i had loads of the stuff, so i used it. it was no where near as good as what is for sale now. if i had started using tubing more when i started carping, then chances are i would still be on it. either material does the job well, but tubing is more user friendly. ive got esp rig tube in my tacklebox as well. and still use it from time to time.

the flying backlead goes on the mainline behind the tubing. i use between 1-2ft of tubing. its good stuff, and far simpler than fiddling around with needles, lighters and splicing bits and bobs! i use leadcore because i love it, yet it all comes down to personal preference, at the end of the day, the tubing and the 'core do the same basic job.

then use anchor rig tube and flying backleads. that will pin it down flatter than any quicksilver leader will ever do. quicksilver, being a braided material does have a certian amount of bouyancy, so it wont lie perfectly flat either, if it did, then leadcore would be unnecessary. anchor rig tube has been proven to be denser than most leadcore leaders out there. use those and get yourself some gardener flying backleads. they will pin everything dead flat without the need for leaders and such like.

the needle knot link you have shown is the knot i use. but thats for leadcore, not quicksilver, its too thin to tie using the needle knot and will unravel. why is it you feel you need to fish a leader anyway? are you fishing over savage gravel bars? or swan mussel beds? or in thick snags? or are you casting 4-5oz leads a long distance? 99.99% of the time, normal rig tube is a much simpler alternative and can offer the same benifits to leaders but are easier to use. if you are not happy about tying them, then dont cast it out, if the worst should happen, you need rigs that are 100% safe. stick to tubing its easier to use and much safer than relying on knots you are not happy tying in the first place. get a book, practice the knots and rigs and fish in confidence knowing the rigs you have lobbed out are carp safe.