Bad Dog

More rods equals more tangles. Some guys have a better 3D vision of where each lure runs in relation to the others. I imagine a dive master just pokes his head down below for a peek (sorry I couldn't help myself). Knowing where everything is will help avoid tangles, and you will know what to do when lines do eventually get crossed. It's gonna happen. It may be your fault, or it may be a fish on a run. Tangles with planers usually occur when a dispey releases and raises into the lead core. If you are only running one dispey, you can set the base plate on 2 to keep it closer to the boat. Lots of backing on the planer rod is important and helps keep boards away from the boat. How much lead core and how much backing are you putting on the Convectors? If you haven't spooled up your board rods yet, get bright colored backing. For short cores and big reels 30# mono backing is good. If you want to get as much lead core as possible on the 45 Convectors, use braid backing. As you've discovered, getting rigged for salmon is an expensive proposition. Like jmohunts mentioned, there are some deals on good used equipment out there. I didn't see anything about your boat and it's layout. What is it, and how many rods will you run? How about the inline boards, do you have them yet?

There are lots of ways to rig dipsies. The following works for me and should help shorten your learning curve. Starting out, I recommend getting setup with braid divers for this year. A Heartland Dipsey rod with ceramic guides is sufficient and won't break the bank. Don't get talked into a wire rod for your first dipsey set-up. A wire set-up is not as forgiving, and costs at least twice as much. Rod length is in part personal preference but also influenced by your boat and how you have it rigged. Judging from your enthusiasim you will eventualy be running mulitple dipsies per side. A nine or ten foot dipsey rod is a good length to start. When you move up to two dipsies a side, this set-up will make a good high diver. The high diver is going to be your longest dipsey rod. If you think you might eventually run three dipsies a side, get ten foot rods now. You need smooth drags on your dipsies. If you like Okuma reels get the Convector or Clarion line counters in at least a 45 size. The Magda may not hold up. Dipsey size is more important than the color. If you run Luhr Jenson's, the #1 size with a large ring, on the 3 setting, will run down 1' for every 3' of line out. When you find a size you like, stick with it so you learn how deep it runs. The braid setup I've suggested can reach 100' depth. I like clear rubber snubbers in front of mono or floro leaders. If I'm running a spoon or plug, I'll use 17# - 20# florocarbon leader. If I'm running a flasher, I'll run 25# - 30# mono leader.

I don't fault guys for introducing new items but, I try to limit my purchases to two categories. Stuff that catches a lot of fish, or stuff that catches big fish. When it comes to fishing tackle I already own to much stuff. That being said I did win some of Big Weenies new spoons and will be giving them a try next time I'm in Manistee.