By Okuma® Staff

A Guide to Great Lakes Lead Core with Okuma Reels

Fishing the Great Lakes can be a rewarding experience, but sometimes requires a specialized approach to target quality fish. One of the most productive methods is trolling with lead core setups, which allows you to present your lures at precise depths. For those who have never used it before, let me tell you! Lead core line is a underrated technique that allows for maximum versatility and depth control. The weighted line helps you reach fish that may be tough to target, especially in the deeper waters found in the Great Lakes or in situations when fish are “holding” in specific parts of the water column.

When using your Okuma reel for trolling, the information below can help optimize your setups based on reel sizes and line combinations.

(Chart and information courtesy of Don Ruppert)

Okuma 20-Size Reel

This reel is ideal for shorter lead core lengths, making it perfect for precision trolling at shallower depths.

• Anchor Line: 25’ of 20lb monofilament
• Backing Line: ½ spool of 30lb braided line
• Lead Core Line: 27lb lead core, ½ to 2 colors
• Main Leader: 75’ of 20lb monofilament
• Terminal Leader:
• Micro barrel swivel (ball bearing)
• 6’ fluorocarbon, 15lb
• Duo-lock snap (connects to the lure)

Okuma 30-Size Reel

For mid-depth trolling, this setup extends your reach while helping to maintain manageable line lengths.

• Anchor Line: 25’ of 20lb monofilament
• Backing Line: 330’ of 30lb braided line
• Lead Core Line: 27lb lead core, 3 to 5 colors
• Main Leader: 75’ of 20lb monofilament
• Terminal Leader:
• Micro barrel swivel (ball bearing)
• 6’ fluorocarbon, 15lb
• Duo-lock snap

Okuma 45 Size Reel

 
When targeting deeper waters or running longer lengths of lead core, this reel is a workhorse.

• Anchor Line: 25’ of 20lb monofilament
• Backing Line: 330’ of 30lb braided line
• Lead Core Line: 27lb lead core, 6 to 10 colors
• Main Leader: 75’ of 20lb monofilament
• Terminal Leader:
• Micro barrel swivel (ball bearing)
• 6’ fluorocarbon, 15lb
• Duo-lock snap

Okuma 55 Size Reel

*Usually, this size is used for specialty applications and will vary depending on your specific needs.
 The 55 Size Reel is a great reel for wire line and leadcore applications where you need extreme capacity.

Additional suggestions:

1. Many Okuma series reels, including the Classic, Magda, Convector, and Coldwater offers a line counter feature. This will allow for repeatability of deployed backing and utilizing planer board. Also, you'll always know exactly how much line you’ve let out.
2. High-speed reels are better when fishing with more than six colors of lead core. These reels make retrieving long lengths of line more efficient and less challenging, especially when dealing with larger fish or multiple setups on your boat.
3. Incorporate planer boards to spread your lines and cover more water. This is most effective when targeting fish like salmon, trout, or walleye, which can be scattered across the Great Lakes.

 
Trolling the Great Lakes with a lead core setup isn’t just a technique, it can be an absolute game-changer. Whether you’re after trophy salmon or a limit of walleye, the setups mentioned in this blog will without a doubt enhance your fishing experience while out with family or friends. Okuma has built a reputation for durability and reliability, making their reels a quality choice for Great Lakes trolling. Whether you’re new to trolling or you are a seasoned pro, Okuma offers a range of reels for every application.
 
Tight lines, and happy trolling!