Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    	I can offer input regarding a few of your questions but I'll have to
    let others hit the rest.
        To tie the line to anything remove a few inches of the lead and tie
    the knot in the braided cover material. I used to do this to tie the
    line to a snap swivel and attach the leader to the swivel.
    	Wire line is not as heavy but it is also thinner so it gets down
    pretty good also. Wire have the disadvantage of being succeptable to
    kinks. When you get a kink you essentially loose all the tensile
    strength. Personnaly I like wire better now that I know how to handle
    it.
    
    Paul

    Bob,
    
    	I purchased the 49L last year because it can be used with Lead-core
    line and also with Mono and a Downrigger. It is a well made Reel but
    consider this in making your decision:
    
    	It does not have the line retreive mechanism that goes back and
    forth to evenly spool the line on the spool. This must be done with
    your hand while retreving your catch.......................
    
    
                                  -Steve

    In reference to Steve in .2. Does Penn have a Level Wind reel which can
    handle leadcore line?
    
    Bob M

    
     Bob
      
       Check out Penn's 310gti !!!  Nice!!  Its a compact reel that 
     features an oversized freespool lever that easy to get to. It
     also lets you switch to direct drive with just a flick of a button.
     It holds about ten colors or 100yds or 18lb leadcore. If you'ld like 
     something a little bigger Penn has other models 320gti & 330gti.
    
                                                      Hope this helps
                                                             Kiv

    I HAVE THREE PENN 309-M'S THAT I USE FOR 24 LB LEAD CORE. WORKS GREAT

    I checked out the Penn 310GTI last night and must admit that the Kiv
    was right. It's more compact, has the level wind mechanism and is just
    plain better looking and handling. The Penn 49L is much bigger than I 
    thought and combined with a beefy medium 6'6" rod and you got yourself
    a small Tuna set up. I'm interested in salmon and would like to see
    the rod bend a little bit. 
    
    If anybody in the central Mass area is interested I was at Spags last
    night checking all this stuff out. They told me that on March 15,16 and
    17 that they are going to have a Penn represenative there. While at the
    same time putting the Penn equipment on sale. The Penn 49L was $52.99
    while the Penn 310GTI was $54.99. Both were $2.00 more than Carbelo's
    but if you add shipping they were $6.00 less and that is without the
    sale prices that they were going to have.
    
    Bob M.

    I have fished for salmon/lake trout the past three years with lead-core
    for the same reason as you - slim finances (though I just went for a 
    Big Jon Roundabout portable downrigger wednesday - Cabela's $99).  I
    have a Penn 209 level-wind perched on an Uglystick, and if the fish
    are cooperatin', this does the trick just fine.  The 209 just holds
    100 yds of 25lb lead.  As another reply points out, unless you have 
    some experience with lead [or wire], the (what the hell's the name of
    that thing?) mechanism that winds the line evenly across the spool
    is EXTREMELY helpful.  I'm not sure how useful lead is in the heat
    of mid-summer, I've been told that regardless of how much line you
    have out, you will probably never get deeper than about 40 feet at
    trolling speed (with a 1/8 or 1/4 oz lure) because of the resistance
    with water density etc.  At trolling speed, without cowbells, you
    probably get about 8 feet down with evry color (10 yds) down to about
    40 feet (?).  I just tie a 6 foot mono leader on to the lead with a 
    nail knot, and it seems to hold up OK. 

    Well I took the plunge at Spag's last night. I feel I got a very good
    deal plus a couple of tips from the Penn Represenative there. Hell, he
    even spooled my line on for me.
    
    For $97.00 I got the following:
    Penn 310 GTI
    Penn Power Stick downrigging/trolling
    105 yrds of dacron backing
    100 yards (10 colors) of leadcore
    12ft leader of 10lb Dupont Monofilament
    
    He showed me how to use the Albright knot which is used to combine a
    lighter line to a heavier line. Gave a few pointers and let me go on my
    way. 
    
    Too Bad the ice won't be out for at least another 4-6 weeks. I'm
    starting to look awfull rediculous sitting in the living room with an
    11'-6" steedhead rod on my left and an 8'6" salmon stick on my right
    while watching the fishing shows on ESPN Saturday morning.
    
    Oh well, keeps me out of trouble
    Bob M.

    
     Bob
     
     I think its great! To reread the situation you were in when you
     started this topic, and now the results of your questions. I guess
     thats what its all about. Thanks for keeping us posted and best
     of luck with your NEW setup.
                                        kiv (who is still enjoying the ice) 

    I fish with lead core every year down at Quabbin. We put out 15 colors
    during the summer. I'm not sure how deep that goes down, but that's about
    150 yards of line when we just start to bump the bottom.

     I don't understand why anyone would use lead core with a down-rigger.

     If I had a boat I'd go with the down rigger. Lead core is a pain, but
     its better than nothing. 

    BTW, start lifting weights. When you've reeled in 150 yards of lead
    core, your arms will be pumped like you were lifting weights.

     Jim