To splice or not to splice

[Beaker]

Hi, before I go any further I am not starting or not starting a debate into the safety aspect of leadcore.
For those of you who use the stuff do you always splice it.
The reason I ask is that I got into an argument with another angler while I was on the canal yesterday. when he saw one of my rigs he gave me a right *******ing as I had tied not spliced my leadcore.I told him this setup has never let me down, as I use the same method as a certain Mr Hearn on the ESP website. I just wondered what your thoughts were

[carp_mad_man]

To be honest, that other angler really needs to chill out! I would always splice my leadcore though because, A) its stronger and b) the lead or whatever can slide off the end in the case of a break up - but lets leave it at that because you didnt want the whole 'safety' talk of it all. It is an important thing to consider but 'To splice and not to splice' is my way - not the only or best way, but just my way. All the best, CMM

[bank_tramp]

Tut tut tut Mr Beaker....might have to have a look at getting you disqualified from the canal carp challenge
Seriously tho are you talking about tying at the swivel end or a needle knot to the mainline?

[steph mckenzie]

Don't use it, use a leader instead.

[cg74]

Originally Posted by steph mckenzie

Don't use it, use a leader instead.

Steph, forgive my confusion but lead core is a leader, isn't it?

In answer to the thread's question; if I remember correctly Terry Hearn joins his mainline to the lead core leader using a Constriction knot (same knot as fly anglers use to attach leaders to fly line), if this is so, he'd remove the central core of lead, resulting in a tidy knot which will be less in diameter than the rest of the leader, well unless 100lb mono is used.

Beaker, if you meet your local expert again, put the tw*t straight!







As for using lead core leader........ Well........

[terry m]

I don 't want to be deliberately contentious or holier than thou, but before commenting I would ask exactly how do you 'tie' you leadcore on?

One of the major benefits of splicing is the fact that beads, and therefore leades will slide off the spliced loop in the event of a break, meaning it is a very safe rig. If the leadcore has a fat knot that a bead cannot pass, then it follows that an inline lead may also stay on hich means a fish could end up dragging a lead around.

[cg74]

Terry the constriction knot (if tied correctly) should not leave a thickened area where the knot is tied. It's called a "constriction knot" because just that; constricts - squeeze/compress what it is tied to, therefore making it smaller than its original diameter, this is made easier still by removing the wire lead core.

Here's a link to show you the knot, when tying lead core leaders to your mainline, most anglers thread their mainline inside the braid outer of the leader: Fly Fishing Knots

[Beaker]

Originally Posted by bank_tramp

Tut tut tut Mr Beaker....might have to have a look at getting you disqualified from the canal carp challenge
Seriously tho are you talking about tying at the swivel end or a needle knot to the mainline?

I needle kot the mainline and I do remove the inner core. Then I add a spot of super glue for added security, it has NEVER let me down.

[Morespiders]

Originally Posted by Beaker

I needle kot the mainline and I do remove the inner core. Then I add a spot of super glue for added security, it has NEVER let me down.

It wont let you down, I use both, depends on what mood im in, done properly its as safe as any other knot, as slim as the splice, beads slide over it easily, your choice, believe me splices can and do slip,

[Beaker]

Originally Posted by Morespiders

It wont let you down, I use both, depends on what mood im in, done properly its as safe as any other knot, as slim as the splice, beads slide over it easily, your choice, believe me splices can and do slip,

T hanks Spiders, it is I find easier to tie but just as if not stronger, and I am more than happy to use it.