Dipsey Divers, Super Braids and Break -Offs

[Pat Wunsch]

I run PowerPro superbraid on my reels down to my dipsey divers. From there (after the dipsey) I run a snubber and then 8' of 17lb flourocarbon momo to my spoon or dodger/fly combo. I have had three break-offs on this set up. Should I run more mono to reduce the shock? Or maybe a heavier mono? The mono I've been isn't defective because I run it as leader material on most of my rigs. I should mention that this is happening while salmon/steelhead fishing. It's getting expensive losing these flasher/fly combos. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[FreeByrd]

Pat,
Couple of questions to clarify things so you can get a better answer:
1) Where is the break off happening - guessing somewhere on your leader- at the knot, above the knot, or is the break off above the dipsey on the powerpro???
2) What pound test PowerPro are you using?

Most common with the superbraid lines is something above 30# test and on up to 50# test strength. We use 50# test.

For leaders we use around 6' - and never longer than the rod or netting becomes interesting - of pure florocarbon leader material - either SeaGuar or P-Line. Never less than 15# test and typically 20# or 25#. I've run as high as 50# leaders when salmon fishing. We always use snubbers when salmon / steelhead fishing and use them about half the time when walleye fishing.

With the superlines it is VERY important to loosen you drags way up - esp if you are used to running mono as the main line. We set ours just tight enough to prevent them from going out against the clicker so that a fish will almost always pull some drag. We let salmon / steelhead run before getting them tightened down some. A good rule of thumb at first until you get used to the no stretch superlines is it maight take you twice as long to get the fish in as you are used to with mono to get an idea of how loose we keep the drags. Other thing could be do you have the releases on the dipseys set too tight? We set them just tight enough so that they don't trip on their own.

While breakoffs are bound to happen sometimes with Salmon / Steelhead they should definitly be the rare exception - ususally when you forget to check leaders for nicks/weak spots.
Good Luck,
Steve

[Pat Wunsch]

FreeByrd, thanks for the tips. Regarding your questions

1) The break-offs are occurring midway on the mono leader and not the knots.

2) I use 30lb test PowerPro

I have to speculate that maybe it's a combination of several factors you mentioned. The drag too tight, too light of leader and the diver release might be a hair too tight. I will definately look into all those areas as they appear to have some merit.

I have to say that I realy enjoy the sensitivity of the PowerPro and have never been able to feel the fish like I do with it. What a blast!

Thanks again!

[Ray]

I'm starting to phase out all my super braids on all my poles now, because I feel the product is very over-rated. As far as gaining a little depth with it, I see no difference in using mono or braids. The only difference is braids cost more. What I would do, get rid of the braid all together, and use stren extra strength 20 pound test. I've had no problems using this stuff. It gets down just as deep as braid, and the knot strength is the strongest of all fishing lines. Ray

[FreeByrd]

Ray,
Additional depth is only a small reason why many trollers use the no stretch superlines when pulling dipseys. The no stretch factor makes it much easier to "read" the rods to see what is going on which is very important when you are into any weeds or small fish like whitebass or perch are in the area not to mention small light biting eyes that might give one little thump on the rod and then just drag along. Many of these fish go undetected with mono - until they tangle in to other lines which is bound to happen when running 3, 4 or even 5 dipseys per side as is common on Erie. An advantage that IS related to greater depth with less line out based on the smaller diameter of the superlines comes when running planar board lines - either inline or more commonly big mast & ski setups on Erie for the guys pulling lots of lines in addition to the dipsey lines. Much less chance of tangling the board lines with the dipsey lines if the dipsey lines get deep quicker. True if you are patient in bringing in the board line straight behind the boat it is not a problem but this can become a challenge on a charter with 6 people of different experience/patience levels. Other advantage with the superlines is because of no stretch they exagerate the "vertical swim" of a dipsey which allows you to cover several feet of the water column as the dipsey rises and falls with changes in speed and as the boat surges over waves. Having said all this - there are lots of people that run nothing but mono on dipseys and catch lots of fish so it can definitley be done. You just have to decide what is right for you. The no stretch superlines are definitely more common than mono for the Erie trollers that specialize in trolling multiple dipseys per side - up to 5 a side.

The original poster mentioned he was salmon fishing. I use the same superline spooled reels for Salmon on Lake Ontario as I use for eyes on Erie. I know many others that do the same.

Good Luck,
Steve

[ETT]

I'm not familiar with flasher / fly combos so this is kind of a guess, but anything that wobbles are kicks has a natural hinge point in the line. With crank baits it is a surprizing 10 to 12 inches ahead of the snap. With the much more radical action of a flasher it may be much further ahead. Just like bending a wire back and forth untill it breaks, the mono (even flourocarbons) eventually gets fatigued and weakened at that hinge point. Sounds like that might be what is happening.

I'd just go to 25# flourocarbon (pure leader material) P-Line or Seaguar, and make sure to back the drags off after every fish. Good luck.

[Sparky]

I use 30' Fireline on my Salmon dipsey rods. I tie my flasher/fly combos with 50' test. Not for the pull but, better action imparted to the fly and less chance of being bit off or cut while rolling. I use 30' mono leads minimum behind the snubber. I fished in Ludington for three weeks in August. We caught Kings up to 32 lbs. with no break/cut-offs. Oops, there was one where the King wrapped the line around the chain of a marker buoy. The superline gives a crisp release. When you want to check lines it's not a hated event. A steady sweep of the rod and you feel the release trip through the line, it's great! Set your drag to just hold the dipsey for the initial strike. You can tighten it a little after the fish is on.

Sparky

[john stieben]

Pat,

we run a minimum of 30lb mono on flasher/dodger set-ups. We run 20-25lb mono on spoons. The leader does not have to be flourocarbon, just good quality tough mono a min. of 30lbs. We use flurocarbon leader for our flies, min. of 50 and always use the orginal Howie Fly. We have had a record year in Sturgeon Bay using all flies. They dodger/fly setup will alos pound them with a wire line dipsy with the same set-up. If you need more info. send me a message.