Slider Diver

[Vollmer]

Has anyone tried these? I am wondering what the primary application is for it. Depth control for the lure?

 

[Ristorapper]

Not here. looks to resemble the dipsy diver which is what, as you stated for diving purposes. However this also looks like it is rigged for either one side of the boat or the other to take it away from the hull as well, by varying line out. Cross between the dipsy and planer board.

Always wanted to give dipsy divers a try but never thought i had the rods capable of doing so.

 

[KDM]

I've used Dipseys quite a bit on LOW going after lakers. We used them on 10-12 ft fiberglass trolling rods. I prefer a downrigger as there is nothing between you and the fish. The dipseys worked just fine to get down to about 50 ft or so and we caught lots of fish using them. For BIG OPEN water, they are nice to have. They are a pain if you are close to structure as speed is critical for maintaining the correct depth so turning a lot lessens their utility as they either sink or trip when they bash into the bottom.

 

[Ristorapper]

hate to pirate the post V but KDM: would downrigger rods in 8'6'' work with dipsy divers? I've got a couple old ones lying around somewhere.

 

[KDM]

They will work just fine. We used the long rods because they bend with the dipsey and still have some give when the fish hits. If you use a shorter rod you may want to use a snubber, which if you don't know is a sort of rubber shock absorber. When a 10 lb laker hits a spoon, they put a tremendous amount of pressure on the line. Breaking off a $3 spoon and a $8-$12 dipsey just plain SUCKS. Not to mention the lost fish.

 

[Ristorapper]

yep know what the snubber is; thanks!

 

[eyexer]

boards have replaced dipsy's for the most part. even on the great lakes. but bigger boards than we normally use for walleye

 

[NJL]

I've used them pretty much every trip to Lake Michigan for salmon/trout. We usually run 4 riggers and 2 dipsy's. there are a few different sizes to reach diferent depths, and some come with a detachable ring for even more surface area. They also have a weight built in that you can dial to either side to adjust how far out to the side the run.

Our setups usually consist of a rubber snubber 10'-15' leader of 20 lb mono on a 10'-12' dipsy rod with line counter reels. I typically run them anywhere from 100'-200' out with spoons or J-plugs. Caught a lot of 20+ Lb fish on them over the years.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

Ever use jet divers? Popular on Erie for smaller rods, less strain than a dipsey. Have never run them myself.

 

[KDM]

Yep!! Jet divers work well if you want to just go down right behind the boat. Maybe I just don't know how to work them, but we always ended up with a mess when we used both jets and dipseys together. I don't think the jets like turns much. I think they might go off wild on their own when you make a turn. When we ran just jets we were fine or just dipseys. Now I run downriggers if I'm going after salmonids. Which reminds me. I should get that stuff ready as I want to give Sak Salmon a try this year.

 

[ORCUS DEMENS]

I agree with KDM, Jets do go straight down, up on Erie we usually used them in conjunction with boards. Jet 20's and 30's on inline boards, 40's and 50's on big planer boards. I have caught a crapload of walleye and steelhead with dipsy divers. They are nice as you can adjust whether they go straight down or out to the sides. Big open water is where these work well. Actually the fact that they drop when slowing or on inside of turn sometimes help target the fish. We would often run s patterns with the boat until the bite was patterned. Now here in ND, I would only use them out in the open water of the reservoirs. Midsummer these might come in handy when the bite becomes difficult. As for the rods, I usually used 8.5'-10' downrigger rods with power pro and a flourocarbon leader, make sure to use a swivel or you will get a bad case of the line twist. Oh a final thought, keep your drag only tight enough so it holds. As stated earlier, Salmonids hit like a freight train, the drag will scream, the hook will set and the tackle stays attached. You can't fight a fish if the line breaks. Have a happy Easter All.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

I want to try salmon as well. Really no space for a rigger and not in the budget anyway so I will need to improvise.