Cal Kellogg's hybrid leadcore trolling setup

I have watched Cal extoll the virtues of his trolling methods. He mostly fishes from a kayak and he claims it works well. It looks easier than using a down rigger. I think it would be easier at the least for my wife to fish for trout with me. Anyone use this or a similar setup? Pros or cons, tips etc.

Yes it works. In the summer in lakes like barryessa,folsom,etc,you will need more then 3 colors.  Sometimes all 7 of 8 colors are required. I run the D.R. On one side and Lead core on the other. On the minus side ,it is a lot of reeling in. And you need a big reel to hold all of that heavy Lead core line.

Yes it works. In the summer in lakes like barryessa,folsom,etc,you will need more then 3 colors.  Sometimes all 7 of 8 colors are required. I run the D.R. On one side and Lead core on the other. On the minus side ,it is a lot of reeling in. And you need a big reel to hold all of that heavy Lead core line.

I don't plan to fish deep with leadcore. I'm asking about using three colors as Cal does. I understand it would probably not work as well it the summer months.

I've been using Cal's method of hybrid leadcore ever since I first watched his video.  I prefer it over a reel full of leadcore.  It allows you to fish deeper than top lining, but not quite as deep that you can with a downrigger.  The main reason I am happy with it is because once you're out the three colors, or four in my case, the braid line allows you to play the fish alittle.  I use a daiwa lexa 300 line counter reel, so I had to tweak his measurements a little to fit my reel.  His measurements are for a Abu 5500 sized reel. 

I've been using Cal's method of hybrid leadcore ever since I first watched his video.  I prefer it over a reel full of leadcore.  It allows you to fish deeper than top lining, but not quite as deep that you can with a downrigger.  The main reason I am happy with it is because once you're out the three colors, or four in my case, the braid line allows you to play the fish alittle.  I use a daiwa lexa 300 line counter reel, so I had to tweak his measurements a little to fit my reel.  His measurements are for a Abu 5500 sized reel.

Do you prefer it over a downrigger?

Usually, I take both with me on the kayak.  Leadcore has its depth limitations, so if the fish are within its limits, I prefer to use it because it's less work than raising and lowering a downrigger continually.  I primarily fish mountain lakes for trout and Kokanee so getting at the right depth is key. 

One of the downsides to leadcore, is the weight of the line takes some of the fight/fun out of playing the fish in.  That's what I like about the hybrid set up vs a reel full of leadcore line.   

Usually, I take both with me on the kayak.  Leadcore has its depth limitations, so if the fish are within its limits, I prefer to use it because it's less work than raising and lowering a downrigger continually.  I primarily fish mountain lakes for trout and Kokanee so getting at the right depth is key. 

One of the downsides to leadcore, is the weight of the line takes some of the fight/fun out of playing the fish in.  That's what I like about the hybrid set up vs a reel full of leadcore line.

Ok, I’ll take that to mean you prefer the hybrid leadcore setup over the downrigger when fishing less than 30 feet deep. That is what I plan to do as well.

Usually, I take both with me on the kayak.  Leadcore has its depth limitations, so if the fish are within its limits, I prefer to use it because it's less work than raising and lowering a downrigger continually.  I primarily fish mountain lakes for trout and Kokanee so getting at the right depth is key. 

One of the downsides to leadcore, is the weight of the line takes some of the fight/fun out of playing the fish in.  That's what I like about the hybrid set up vs a reel full of leadcore line.

Ok, I’ll take that to mean you prefer the hybrid leadcore setup over the downrigger when fishing less than 30 feet deep. That is what I plan to do as well.

Yes, I do.  But the depth limit is more like less than 20 ft.

Usually, I take both with me on the kayak.  Leadcore has its depth limitations, so if the fish are within its limits, I prefer to use it because it's less work than raising and lowering a downrigger continually.  I primarily fish mountain lakes for trout and Kokanee so getting at the right depth is key. 

One of the downsides to leadcore, is the weight of the line takes some of the fight/fun out of playing the fish in.  That's what I like about the hybrid set up vs a reel full of leadcore line.

Ok, I’ll take that to mean you prefer the hybrid leadcore setup over the downrigger when fishing less than 30 feet deep. That is what I plan to do as well.

Yes, I do.  But the depth limit is more like less than 20 ft.

That's good info. Cal claims closer to 30. Although I think that's with a diving lure.

Usually, I take both with me on the kayak.  Leadcore has its depth limitations, so if the fish are within its limits, I prefer to use it because it's less work than raising and lowering a downrigger continually.  I primarily fish mountain lakes for trout and Kokanee so getting at the right depth is key. 

One of the downsides to leadcore, is the weight of the line takes some of the fight/fun out of playing the fish in.  That's what I like about the hybrid set up vs a reel full of leadcore line.

Ok, I’ll take that to mean you prefer the hybrid leadcore setup over the downrigger when fishing less than 30 feet deep. That is what I plan to do as well.

Yes, I do.  But the depth limit is more like less than 20 ft.

That's good info. Cal claims closer to 30. Although I think that's with a diving lure.

I believe you're correct.  A diving lure or heavy spoons would add additional depth.

Shallow. high country lakes .... Works great.   Better than D.R. Sometimes. Would I only use this set up? If I didn't mind watching other people catch fish,once the lake "turns over".

Other options are tadpole divers (it’s like a deep6 or dipsey but much smaller) or snap weights. I really like using tadpoles in conjunction with a downrigger. I use a long rod (8-6) to get it away from the kayak and downrigger line.

Shallow. high country lakes .... Works great.   Better than D.R. Sometimes. Would I only use this set up? If I didn't mind watching other people catch fish,once the lake "turns over".

I can’t see why it would be limited to shallow or high country lakes. It should work anywhere or anytime the fish are somewhat near the surface.

Would you only use any setup? Who would fish deep when the fish are on top or on top when the fish are deep. When the lake turns over in the fall the fish come up and this setup should work well until the water heats up again in summer. I’m hoping it will work as an easy to use setup for when the fish are not down deep.

Hey guys.  Wes here, owner of Fish Hunt Shoot, and Cal’s business partner.  We receive a ton of questions about why leadcore vs. a downrigger.  Here’s our basic philosophy:

We typically target the top 20% of the water column.  This is where the most active and feeding fish usually hang out. Yes, there may be way more fish holding deeper, but we are after the active feeders. 

The hybrid lead core setup is perfect for trolling up to 25’ deep using only 3 colors of lead.  We use the downrigger for situations where you need to go deeper.

When I’m guiding on the boat, I run 1 top line, 2-3 lead core setups ranging from 5-20’ deep, and a downrigger. This is our go to spread.  This fall all of our fish over 7# came on the lead core.

On the kayak, I always run a lead line, but also have the downrigger ready should we need to go deeper. 

I think many anglers see a concentration of marks in the bottom half of the water column and just focus on those deep fish, while completely ignoring the fish most active fish that may not show on the screen  shallow.

If I could only run one setup at one depth, I would chose the lead setup at 10’ deep every time.

Researching on the site and found this and felt like it was worth a bump. Thanks Wes for sharing your phoilosophy and techniques.  I too have been spending a lot of time watching FHS videos, and find them very informative!