What are your thoughts on depth control?

[SkunkedAgain]

I was curious of your thoughts on the different ways to control what depth you fish at?  My summer keeps me too busy farming to have gotten very good at my trolling routine.  So I've used lead core lines and this works good for me as long as I'm not going deeper than maybe 30'.  I also have used downriggers, that I guess I assumed was the best way to go deeper, but I've been hearing a lot of talk about dipsy divers.  I've never used them, so I don't know much about them.  What are your thoughts about different methods and what are draw backs and strengths?  I'd say for lead core it puts the lure where it needs to go for early koke trips and trout after the water temps start to climb on the surface.  Drawbacks are the heavy weight really takes a lot of the fight out of the fish and it feels like cranking a winch to pull in payload rather than enjoying the fight of the fish...  So I use it and it's worked well for me at times, but it's not the most enjoyable fishing...  For the down rigger, it's great for being able to land right on the depth you want to, and catches fish as they go deeper.. But for drawbacks, I hate being clipped in and missing the big strike hit feeling and for small fish it seems like you really have to watch and make sure your hardware is set up right so you don't pop out too soon, but you're not too stiff for small fish to pop the clip...  I like that you can be on light tackle and have a fun fight after you get out of the clip, but I still miss the fun of a big hit on a regular trolled light line.  Anyway I've heard a lot of folks that have told me that dipsy divers are a good  solution for helping me get more of what I like from trolling, what do you think?  Thanks all...  Jeff

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PS..... This is definitely not limited to these three methods, I know some like clip weights and other things so I'm open to what you're thoughts are for different situations... Thanks J

[BoatBallast]

I think the downrigger is the best option. You don't feel the fish hit, that's true, but when a big fish pulls the line out of the clip, that's pretty exciting.

I've used dipsy divers, mostly in the ocean fishing for silvers. They are worse than leadcore for the feeling of reeling in weight and just as inaccurate for determining your depth. They also require a leader that is almost as long as your rod which makes it tough to net a fish in many cases.

I wouldn't bother with dipsys, pink ladys, or any of the other divers when you have a downrigger. That's a step backwards in my mind.

[packfish]

Like a down rigger but sold mine a few years ago, Used the divers a Porcupine and did well over the years. Now on a new kick with the snap weights, Keeps me busy

[oldguy]

My son in law uses them every year on the first trip out then when I catch 5 to 1 using down riggers he puts them away. For me the snap weights or kill sinkers is a good alternative especially when I use the trolling app. I know the times I tried to use them seems like they tangle up to easy. Just My opinion.

[SkunkedAgain]

Hey guys I really appreciate your input on this, sounds like I should probably be content with the down riggers and work to set my release closer to just right... Thanks so much for your time and comments... Hope I get to do more trolling this summer, I'm kind of old school, but I really like to troll sometimes. Thanks all... Jeff

[Bduck]

Used leadcore for many years. My first 2 downriggers were Scotty's manual. My catching increased since I was able to control the depths better. These I used for a few years, then went to my first electric downriggers. After a couple of short years with electrics, I was then into stacking 2 lines per DR. This became a headache working with 2 DRs keeping 4 lines set for myself and wife. I would set the lines for her making sure she did the catching. She was unable to set lines with her disability. Stacking became a constant chore between drive-by hits & false releases having to keep pulling up a rigger to reset both lines. I got to the point a couple of times to just take a break to set DRs with one line each. It didn't take long to add 2 more electric DRs which life on the boat became more relaxing. I never used a Pink Lady, Dipsy Diver, or a Jet Diver(think that's what its called). Downrigging became the best way for me to get to those depths.

[MWScott72]

Downriggers all the way. Lead core and the pink lady clones only get you somewhat close to the required depths. Downriggers are exact and more efficient at this.

[FishfulThinkin]

I agree that downriggers are probably the best for depth control but I understand what Skunked Again is saying. I fished lead core for many years starting as a small boy at Strawberry. My dad owned a Mercury 9.8 trolling motor and would rent a wooden boat from Frank Madsen.  We would troll around Haws point area early in the morning and late in the evening. I would usually fish a Strawberry Wobbler on a lead core at 3 colors. That little Merc outboard would lull me to sleep (or half sleep anyway) and about then, a big old Yellowstone cut would slam it. The lead core line had no stretch so all that energy would transmit directly to my hands and my heart would jump right up in my throat. I'm surprised I never lost a rod overboard! I definitely woke up fast and enjoyed fighting a big fish. Mono has too much stretch to get that kind of enjoyment from a hit. I guess braid is better but I agree with Skunked about the thrill getting slammed with the rod in your hand. I can still remember that electric adrenalin rush of a hard hit on lead core almost 60 years later!

[chubby chaser]

I havent been able to convince myself to pull the trigger on downriggers but I see the day coming where I will. Right now I use snap weights and do okay as long as the water isnt too deep (60' max) but beyond that it gets hard to really get down deep, especially with pop gear. I can add a 5-6 ounce weight but then you just take the fight out of the fish unless you catch a 20+ pound laker.

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I've used Dipsey Divers going back to the mid-80's on Lake Michigan. They work as intended but even with the Dipsey releases it still has some drag in the water (like a keel weight). You also need a pretty stout/stiff trolling rod with the dipsey to deal with the resistance of the diver. This is more pronounced the deep you want the diver to go. Therefore, I much prefer using downriggers or lead core. If you google some trolling information sites on line, you can look up the lure type, depth you are targeting, speed, weight of lead core line, etc. and it will tell you how much line (either in feet or number of colors) to let out in order to achieve the depth you want. I think there may be a phone app for that too, but that is more than I care to deal with when fishing. I have used lead core to troll down to 50' at Bear Lake before I bought downriggers.

[wayno945]

I use a combination of planer boards with snap weights and downriggers. I have manual downriggers so I don't want to run 2 rods off the same downrigger.

[obifishkenobi]

I use a combination of planer boards with snap weights and downriggers. I have manual downriggers so I don't want to run 2 rods off the same downrigger.

Shuttle Hawks work pretty good for stacking on your manual down riggers,I used them for several years until I got  four downriggers on my boat. No need to crank up when you get one on the upper set up.

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I second the shuttle hawks for stacking on downriggers. Just use your line counter reel to determine how far down to let your "stacker" and just go for it. I use them all the time, successfully.

[wayno945]

I had two shuttle hawks. I liked the way they worked for the most part. I had both of them come off the downrigger line and sink to the bottom. Haven't replaced them yet.

[Bduck]

I agree with using Shuttle Hawks which made stacking a lot easier. I still have 2 sitting in the armory which haven't seen action for quite a number of years. Also have read on some modifications made to the Hawks which has helped in the prevention of coming off of the cable and a mod in the slot for the cable not to wear into the plastic body. Still having thoughts doing mods on mine.

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks everyone for all the comments I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this topic... I've learned a lot, thank you... Jeff

[dubob]

I had two shuttle hawks. I liked the way they worked for the most part. I had both of them come off the downrigger line and sink to the bottom. Haven't replaced them yet.

Here's a tip for all users of Shuttle Hawks (SH).  Use this clip over the slot where the cable slides into the SH AFTER the SH is attached to the cable.  You will not lose any more SH if you do.  

[TubeDude]

I might be a little late chiming in on this topic.  And I can assure you that I have used or been exposed to all the options…from electric downriggers to inline and snap weights.  I shamefully admit I have fished on a lot of boats…many with super rigger systems.  But I will also admit that I never successfully installed riggers on any of my float tubes.  Any time I tried to screw down the mounts my tube would go flat.  Musta been using left-handed screws or something.
 
As has been pointed out in this discussion, there are a lot of ways to sink your bait or lures to the desired depth…and almost all of them have times, places and conditions in which they are likely to work better than most of the others.  But, of course, being non-opinionated fishermen we NEVER have our own personal non-biased opinions.  


I would like to cast a vote for the Tadpole Divers from Offshore Tackle.  I first tried them several years ago and had some good success with them from my float tube...and on a couple of occasions when I brought them along for a ride in a fellow BFTer's boat.  Very simple in concept, easy to use, and they work without a lot of special rigging.


I am attaching a PDF file (surprise!!!) providing more info, pics and links for anyone who wants more propaganda.


  TADPOLE DIVERS.pdf (Size: 646.87 KB / Downloads: 2)