how to track bottom current

[current related]

I understand the top current and bottom currents are different most of the time as far as the direction they are going. Is there a way besides an expensive "black box" to guess the current direction on the bottom?

[mudpuppy]

You can read currents out on the Great Lakes by keeping an eye on your dipsey rods, down riggers & GPS speeds. Takes a little practice & experience, but once you get a feel for it, it becomes second nature.
The key to reading your dipseys is setting the drags to where they're on the verge of leaking out line & making a mental note of how much they bend at a certain speed. If one starts bending more than the other & leaking out line you're going cross current. Down current, of course if you have to bump up your speed to maintain bend in both rods. And of course, opposite for up current. Takes a little while to get everything dialed in. Same with riggers. After awhile you learn to read the cable angles in relationship to your GPS speeds.
It's kinda tricky at times when you throw in surface current & winds, and the deeper currents vary from the shallower. But the direction you troll in relation to current, sure makes a difference in how your lures run and how the fish see them. Hope this helps, good luck.

[schrof]

Have you noticed more success against, with, across currents?

[mudpuppy]

Normally, I'll start out going up current. If I mark some fish, but no takers, I'll try down current. Then cross angle. Some days it doesn't seem to matter much. Others they show a certain preference.

[Juls]

That was a great explanation mudpuppy...good job! :)

Juls