i have run copper twice this season and last with greatluck both times. it runs about 50-60 feet deep with a different dive curve than lead.we ran a flasher and meat rig last week and took a king that ran out to 700 feet on the counter.normally that rig is too heavy but i had to try it. run it up the gut just like a core and a half. most days the fish love it if they are deep.lets say 100-120 fow is perfect.or run it at 60 feet to drag bottom.i'm sold it works.

 

I haven't had much of a chance to use mine since I have been fishing shallow lately, but from what I've heard it is good stuff. Really, in the long run, it will end up being cheaper and more manageable than leadcore(not to mention lead free if they ever pass any laws regaurding that). The copper itself is 16.99 for 200 yards. Since copper sinks twice as deep as leadcore(aka double core sinks as much as 100 yds of copper), the copper only costs a little over 4.00 to get down 40 feet whereas a full core would cost around 10(if I just rambled there, just ignore it and I'm sorry ) Not only that, I can fit 100 yds of copper on to my sealine 47s as apposed to some big, heavy levelwind that I would use for lead. Also, you can feel the fish move all around unlike lead. One last thing....after a while the dacron on leadcore will rot and become weak....not good. Since the strength of copper is in the metal and not a cloth coating, it will last much longer.

 

Does the copper come in a sheath as well?

Is it a solid copper line similar to a single strand wire set up? or is it stranded copper?

Because Copper is VERY susceptable to breaking under stressors such as rod guides and stuff to that effect. Similar to the lead.

Interesting...Perhaps I will ahve to add one to my boat and see how it works????

Although the lead is very limp and i'm wondering if the copper will travel and have hte same motion as the lead under water??????

 

Jim, it is seven strand and very soft with no sheath. Out of the package it is very shiny, but I imagine it will tarnish some after use. Seems like a great alternative to 10+ color cores. So far this year the fish have been shallow so I have only used the 1/2 color lead core and have not used my full core much either. Once the fish set up deeper I will start running some copper, but don't have it rigged up yet. Looking forward to giving it a try.

 

Jim, its pretty strong...The only thing you absolutely need to watch out for are kinks. I've run it just a few times now and I've noticed that since it has more memory than most lines, it wants to backlach and kink. After a while, mine started darkening up a little bit and is more like a blackish brown, but I've heard of Lake Trout guys using it for like 10+ years.

 

I picked some up yesterday, I am plan on setting it up as follows:

210ft of copper with a 400ft of backing, this is going to be similar to a 10 color core which we fish, I figure a full core will get down about 40ft, 210ft of copper will go down 42 ft..

The other setup will be similar to a half core, 105ft of copper plus 400ft of backing, this will dive in the 20ft deep range, similar to a half core,

I plan on running the core on on side of the boat and the copper on the other, going to find out which one if either produces more fish..

 

. . . 210ft of copper with a 400ft of backing, this is going to be similar to a 10 color core which we fish, I figure a full core will get down about 40ft, 210ft of copper will go down 42 ft...

Actually, a full core being 300 ft, 200 ft of copper should sink to ~27 feet and the 100 ft should sink to ~14 feet.

Alex

 

I thought the following-

every color of core if 30ft(10yards) at a sink rate of 4 ft per color = 40ft

Copper sinks 5-6ft for every 30ft, there 210ft of copper would sink 42ft..

Am I miscalculating?

 

The following from Optitackle's website-

"7. Copper Wire - We fish the copper wire similar to the way we fish Leadcore, straight out the back of the boat or segmented and used on Off ShoreTackle planner boards. The copper wire should never be attached directly to the board, only to the backing. Our copper wire rig consists of 300' of copper wire which is tied with an albright knot to Power Pro/Spectra backing. Usin 20 lb mono or fluorocarbon line for a leader. Our experience indicates shorter leads on the copper 15' or so for Opti's and flies, and 30' to 50' leader when using spoons. A snubber is usually not fished with copper wire.

Just like leadcore - "No hook set" copper wire is very soft. Just reel when a fish is on. We do not recommend it being used on dipseys or Thumper rods. The copper line sinks faster then the leadcore line, approx. 5'-6' for every 10 yds at typical trolling speeds and allows you to reach the deeper fish. At speeds 2.6mph and faster you will get about 5' of drop. At slower speeds you will get about 6' of drop.

When used on boards we recomend using in segmented fashion so you can hook your board to the superline backing, caution should be used if your attaching your board to the copper itself, the copper line is soft and it can fray or become weakened. Advantages - sinks deeper then leadcore, costs less then leadcore, no special roller guide rod is needed, a regular rod will work just fine as copper is very soft, twillie tip or a roller tip on the end would help but not necessary and it is more safer to handle then lead"

 

I thought the following-

every color of core if 30ft(10yards) at a sink rate of 4 ft per color = 40ft

Copper sinks 5-6ft for every 30ft, there 210ft of copper would sink 42ft..

Am I miscalculating?

I was just playing with the numbers provided by Foxy Carp!?!?!?!

 

Andy,
Did you get that article from GLA on core vs. copper that I had posted? If not and you would like a copy, PM me your address anf I with print off a copy for you and mail it.
Larry

 

I would second Larry's comment. VERY good article on running copper in the new issue of GLA. Also a good story about wire line and dipsy's...that's gonna be my next setup!:evil:

 

Does anyone have any comments about how it is to reel in a fish on copper vs leadcore?

 

Copper seems to reel easier and fighting a fish on copper is much more fun. You can feel every move they make because it doesn't strech.

 

copper is a bit easier than lead to reel in.remember to let it out slowly because it does backlash and kink. it has a quicker dive angle but does not have the same sag as lead so it does not drag as much.when fighting a fish as i did with a flasher and meat rig (not recomended for novices) it took 6 circles of the boat to bring in a 15 pounder . the fish ran the line out to almost 700 feet. the feel is a cross between wire and lead.
the line peels off faster like wire but drags a bit with a fish on.much easier to reel in to check lines. i would rig up a half (50 yard) rig with a j- plug. this will become a staple this year.don't give up my secret rig till its time to tuna!!!!!
imagine a 25-40 foot deep king killer with a j-plug going sideways and up and down.put a meat strip on the siwash tail hook (i am really going out on a limb giving up my secret rigs this year) and the kings will kill this thing.we have been using combo trebble first siwash last (eagle claw) hook set up and really upped our hook percentages especially on meat (another secret gone forever)
hopefully only you advanced anglers will read this. ITS TUNA TIME good luck Dan

 

I appreciate the input on this,I cant wait to try it someday.,hopefully that will happen.