GLF
05-12-2006, 04:20 PM
Want to put more fish in your boat? Then make sure you have an assortment of Dipsy Divers at your disposal.
DIPSY DIVER
If you are new to the sport of Great Lakes fishing you may be asking what on earth a Dipsy Diver is?
A “Dipsy Diver” is a device manufactured by Luhr Jenson & Sons, Inc. A dipsy diver is a round disk with a directional weight system (keel), with optional extension ring.
The Divers come in four popular sizes, Magnum (4 1/8” Diameter with larger keel sinker), Standard (4 1/8” with a regular keel sinker), Small (3 ¼”), and Mini (2 ¼”).
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Sizes_40-40.JPG
Different Sizes of Dipsy Divers
Rings can be placed on the dipsy to increase surface space creating more resistance and better diving and plane ability. There are standard and magnum rings created for the 4 1/8” divers.
This disk can be set up to dive straight down, to the port, or starboard side of the boat. To do this, look on the bottom of the diver, you will see a directional dial from 3R to 3L. R for Right or Starboard side of the boat, L for Left or Port side of the boat. (Port and Starboard is always determined by looking towards the bow of the boat).
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/DirectionDial_40-40.JPG
Directional Dial
The numbers indicate how far you want the dipsy to plane to the side. The 3 causes the furthest plane, and a 0 is straight down. You would use a 3 for your outside dipsy and 1 for your inside. A 0 would be used if you ran a dipsy down the chute (straight off the back).
The “trip” mechanism (on the top) needs to be set (by pushing it down) in order for the dipsy to dive. A set screw is located on the side of the trip allowing you to adjust the tension. You want to set this trip just heavy enough so it doesn’t trip with speed changes but light enough to trip when a fish hits. Lower tensions should be used on less aggressive fish like Walleye. I will attest that it is a bear to bring in a big king and fight the diver at the same time.
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Trip_Snubber_30-30.JPG
Trip Mechanism
A snubber is a piece of rubber tubing that acts as a shock absorber between the dipsy and your lure. A snubber is not always necessary with monofilament line because this line will stretch some unlike other types of line.
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Snubber_30-30.JPG
Snubber
Last but not least, the leader. Leaders for dipsies, like other leaders, are used to space your lure from your diving device. For dipsies, leaders should roughly be the length of rod you are using. (A 10’ pole should have a 10’ leader). The reason I only use a leader as long as my rod is because when you bring a fish to the back of the boat if you have a 15 foot leader you are going to need and extendo net. I’ve found that unless you are a master netter on the big pond that you will lose a lot of fish if you do not have control of your net. If you need longer leaders you can use another product derived from the same idea that is called a slide diver.
LINE TYPES WITH DIPSIES
* Monofilament: 20-30 lb. test, 300 yards, used mostly on higher, outside divers
* Super braid: 30 lb. test, 300 yards, used for inside or low divers
* Wire: 30 lb. test, 7 strand, used on inside low divers
RIGGING A DIPSY
1. Tie snap swivel to your main line
2. Attach swivel to trip mechanism on Dipsy
3. Check/Adjust tension of trip mechanism
4. Set trip
5. Set directional weight
6. Attach snubber
7. Attach leader
8. Attach bait (flasher-fly, spoon, and plugs)
Okay now drop this diver over the side of the boat but keep it out of the rigger lines and whatever else is out there. Make sure you reset the line counter on your reel. The amount of line you let you depends on what depth you wish to fish.
There are some publications available that have depth charts for the various divers’ available (check out www.fishdogco.com for Big Water Precision Trolling book). If you don’t want to buy one of those books there are a couple ways to figure out for yourself how deep your divers are diving. Set your divers out to a desired length of line out. Then gradually navigate the boat to shallower water until your divers start hitting bottom. But let me tell you it is much easier to buy the books. Luhr-Jensen’s website (www.luhrjensen.com) under tech info will also provide depth info.
OUTSIDE DIVERS
My Mono Dipsy rods are 9’ 6” Shimano TDR rods with Okuma Convector 30D Line counter reels spooled with 25lb Ande line. I will refer to these rods as my “High Divers” or “Outside Divers”. I will again set this to a ‘3’ setting.
A couple words of caution on the mono divers, if you set out a mono diver much farther than 180 feet they are very tough to trip. You may end up fighting the diver for a few feet before you will be able to trip it due to all the stretch in the mono.
INSIDE DIVERS
My Super Braid Dipsy rods are 8’ 6” Okuma Classic Pro rods with Okuma Convector 30D Line counter reels spooled with 30lb Power Pro or 30lb Berkley Fire Line. My Wire Dipsy rod is an 8’ 6” Okuma Blue Diamond roller rod with Okuma Convector 30D line counter reel. I will refer to these divers as my “Low Divers” or “Inside Divers”.
For my inside diver rods always use a shorter rod than the outside divers. This helps keep the two from tangling. I will also put a magnum ring on the diver along with setting the weight to a 0 or a 1 so it doesn’t plane out to the side as much. This helps for reaching desired depths and reducing tangles.
More words of caution: Super Braid or Wire you must not jerk them too hard or you may break your rod or line. These two lines have little to no stretch
GET OUT AND TRY IT
I have given you a small glimpse into the world of Dipsy Diver fishing. With what you read here you should be able to gear up with some divers and go out and catch some fish.
The Rod & Reel combos I have mentioned are available from a website sponsoring Member The Fishdog Company. They also have the Dipsy Divers and quality snap swivels.
Written and photographed by Jim and Beverly Six(SixShooter)
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Bev_Jim_20-20.JPG
DIPSY DIVER
If you are new to the sport of Great Lakes fishing you may be asking what on earth a Dipsy Diver is?
A “Dipsy Diver” is a device manufactured by Luhr Jenson & Sons, Inc. A dipsy diver is a round disk with a directional weight system (keel), with optional extension ring.
The Divers come in four popular sizes, Magnum (4 1/8” Diameter with larger keel sinker), Standard (4 1/8” with a regular keel sinker), Small (3 ¼”), and Mini (2 ¼”).
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Sizes_40-40.JPG
Different Sizes of Dipsy Divers
Rings can be placed on the dipsy to increase surface space creating more resistance and better diving and plane ability. There are standard and magnum rings created for the 4 1/8” divers.
This disk can be set up to dive straight down, to the port, or starboard side of the boat. To do this, look on the bottom of the diver, you will see a directional dial from 3R to 3L. R for Right or Starboard side of the boat, L for Left or Port side of the boat. (Port and Starboard is always determined by looking towards the bow of the boat).
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/DirectionDial_40-40.JPG
Directional Dial
The numbers indicate how far you want the dipsy to plane to the side. The 3 causes the furthest plane, and a 0 is straight down. You would use a 3 for your outside dipsy and 1 for your inside. A 0 would be used if you ran a dipsy down the chute (straight off the back).
The “trip” mechanism (on the top) needs to be set (by pushing it down) in order for the dipsy to dive. A set screw is located on the side of the trip allowing you to adjust the tension. You want to set this trip just heavy enough so it doesn’t trip with speed changes but light enough to trip when a fish hits. Lower tensions should be used on less aggressive fish like Walleye. I will attest that it is a bear to bring in a big king and fight the diver at the same time.
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Trip_Snubber_30-30.JPG
Trip Mechanism
A snubber is a piece of rubber tubing that acts as a shock absorber between the dipsy and your lure. A snubber is not always necessary with monofilament line because this line will stretch some unlike other types of line.
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Snubber_30-30.JPG
Snubber
Last but not least, the leader. Leaders for dipsies, like other leaders, are used to space your lure from your diving device. For dipsies, leaders should roughly be the length of rod you are using. (A 10’ pole should have a 10’ leader). The reason I only use a leader as long as my rod is because when you bring a fish to the back of the boat if you have a 15 foot leader you are going to need and extendo net. I’ve found that unless you are a master netter on the big pond that you will lose a lot of fish if you do not have control of your net. If you need longer leaders you can use another product derived from the same idea that is called a slide diver.
LINE TYPES WITH DIPSIES
* Monofilament: 20-30 lb. test, 300 yards, used mostly on higher, outside divers
* Super braid: 30 lb. test, 300 yards, used for inside or low divers
* Wire: 30 lb. test, 7 strand, used on inside low divers
RIGGING A DIPSY
1. Tie snap swivel to your main line
2. Attach swivel to trip mechanism on Dipsy
3. Check/Adjust tension of trip mechanism
4. Set trip
5. Set directional weight
6. Attach snubber
7. Attach leader
8. Attach bait (flasher-fly, spoon, and plugs)
Okay now drop this diver over the side of the boat but keep it out of the rigger lines and whatever else is out there. Make sure you reset the line counter on your reel. The amount of line you let you depends on what depth you wish to fish.
There are some publications available that have depth charts for the various divers’ available (check out www.fishdogco.com for Big Water Precision Trolling book). If you don’t want to buy one of those books there are a couple ways to figure out for yourself how deep your divers are diving. Set your divers out to a desired length of line out. Then gradually navigate the boat to shallower water until your divers start hitting bottom. But let me tell you it is much easier to buy the books. Luhr-Jensen’s website (www.luhrjensen.com) under tech info will also provide depth info.
OUTSIDE DIVERS
My Mono Dipsy rods are 9’ 6” Shimano TDR rods with Okuma Convector 30D Line counter reels spooled with 25lb Ande line. I will refer to these rods as my “High Divers” or “Outside Divers”. I will again set this to a ‘3’ setting.
A couple words of caution on the mono divers, if you set out a mono diver much farther than 180 feet they are very tough to trip. You may end up fighting the diver for a few feet before you will be able to trip it due to all the stretch in the mono.
INSIDE DIVERS
My Super Braid Dipsy rods are 8’ 6” Okuma Classic Pro rods with Okuma Convector 30D Line counter reels spooled with 30lb Power Pro or 30lb Berkley Fire Line. My Wire Dipsy rod is an 8’ 6” Okuma Blue Diamond roller rod with Okuma Convector 30D line counter reel. I will refer to these divers as my “Low Divers” or “Inside Divers”.
For my inside diver rods always use a shorter rod than the outside divers. This helps keep the two from tangling. I will also put a magnum ring on the diver along with setting the weight to a 0 or a 1 so it doesn’t plane out to the side as much. This helps for reaching desired depths and reducing tangles.
More words of caution: Super Braid or Wire you must not jerk them too hard or you may break your rod or line. These two lines have little to no stretch
GET OUT AND TRY IT
I have given you a small glimpse into the world of Dipsy Diver fishing. With what you read here you should be able to gear up with some divers and go out and catch some fish.
The Rod & Reel combos I have mentioned are available from a website sponsoring Member The Fishdog Company. They also have the Dipsy Divers and quality snap swivels.
Written and photographed by Jim and Beverly Six(SixShooter)
http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/Bev_Jim_20-20.JPG