Leadfree or Leadcore

[LC1975]

Hi,

I just got a ticket on a new lake that allows leadcore and leadfree leaders. I fished with Leadcore about 15 years ago, My set up is a hinge rig helicopter style.

What's your preference if you could use both?

Cheers

Luke

[InteraX]

Mainline straight through to the lead.

Personally, I wouldn't trust that any bead or similar could make it over any knot for any leader.

I've only recently started trying out a helicopter style rig and found that mainline straight through seems to be good enough for me so far.

What is the purpose of the leader in your setup?

[LC1975]

Thanks for your info mate. The reason I prefer a leader is that I dont trust line thats been on a spool for ages to sit flush on a deck like a leader. I fish braid when allowed and will always use a few feet of 25lb fluro as a leader. I've got to steam that leader straight before casting out to be happy.

 

No need for steaming with leadcore or leadfree. It means I take less kit like stove ect...

I purchased some Gardner Camflex Continental. Its easy to splice and looks the part.

Does it really matter if it still sinks without lead?

Chèers

Luke

[greekskii]

Leadfree. Just use the c clip style beads and attach it with a palomar knot for a very small knot. I use braid through to a leader. 
 

have used fox submerge for years and can’t fault it. 

[Golden Paws]

1m of fluoro leader for me. Near invisible, pins the last metre down and reduces lifting scales during a fight. I use a helicopter set up but use it as a near lead clip! By that, I mean I have the bottom barrel bead just above the lead and the no trace bead literally just above it. I don't fish particularly weedy waters and so allowing the trace to slide to sit pretty isn't necessary but you get the instant bolt effect of the lead and the end tackle can slide off in the event of a cut-off but haven't lost a lead for a couple of years now - except when I lent a couple to mate who had forgot his lead pouch! 

[salokcinnodrog]

11 hours ago, LC1975 said:

Hi,

I just got a ticket on a new lake that allows leadcore and leadfree leaders. I fished with Leadcore about 15 years ago, My set up is a hinge rig helicopter style.

What's your preference if you could use both?

Cheers

Luke

Mainline straight through to the lead.

I did all the experiments on leadcore years ago and the simple answer is, I don't use a leader at all unless fishing at maximum distance, and it's always with run rings and running leads.

The leadcore especially wasn't safe, beads stick, rigs don't eject, and helisafe doesn't work as the leader needs the lead to stay on to eject the rig.

In fact I don't even like helicopter setups as bite indication is so bad compared to inline or pendant setups.

[LC1975]

15 hours ago, greekskii said:

Leadfree. Just use the c clip style beads and attach it with a palomar knot for a very small knot. I use braid through to a leader. 
 

have used fox submerge for years and can’t fault it. 

Thanks Pal

[yonny]

On 13/06/2026 at 22:48, LC1975 said:

What's your preference if you could use both?

I'd always go for leadcore unless distance is an issue in which case I'd go leadless.

One thing I would say is get some Korda No-Trace beads, regardless of the type of leader you're using. An underrated product which imo doesn't get the praise it deserves.

[LC1975]

Just now, yonny said:

I'd always go for leadcore unless distance is an issue in which case I'd go leadless.

One thing I would say is get some Korda No-Trace beads, regardless of the type of leader you're using. An underrated product which imo doesn't get the praise it deserves.

Thanks mate. I already have those Korda sleeves and beads. I'll go with the leadcore. Probably get the ESP  bulk spool in silt. Thats the stuff I used back in the day. Cheers. 👍

 

[yonny]

4 minutes ago, LC1975 said:

Probably get the ESP  bulk spool in silt. Thats the stuff I used back in the day.

Same. The original and best.