What rods to use for Dipsey Divers

[Stormsearch]

Looking for a couple of Dipsey Diver rods to pull size "0" dipsey divers for walleye. Have the 30# superbraid on hand, plenty of spoons, a couple of line counters, but no rod yet? Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[GANGGREEN]

I've tried heavier downrigger rods and wasn't happy. I recently purchased 2 Daiwa Dipsey rods at Dick's sporting goods for $29.95 each and I'm very happy with them. Do yourself a favor and buy a "Dipsey" rod, don't try to make do with something else. The dipseys put a tremendous strain on a rod (and your rod holders).

[ITroller]

I primarily pull boards, but would like to try Dipsys on an occasional basis and would hate to start accumulating more new gear..Couple Q's for you:

1) Have you any experience with Graphite board rods for #0 Dipsys? I am running 4 of the 7.5' Gary Parsons rods from BPS and have good success with them pulling boards. Any thoughts how they would work for occasional DD use?

2) Rod Holders. I run the Atwood pro style. Are these strong enough for occasional DD use?

[Kevin A]

Usually glass rods are used with dipseys due to the strain of pulling them already pulls things pretty tight. A glass rod can flex alot more than graphite. When you get a hit and the line & rod are already stressed the flex remaining in the glass rod helps. With a low flex rod the stress of a hit is localized on the already stretched line & knots. If your using a superbraid (I'd recommend it) a glass rod is even more important. A braid & graphite rod would equate to alot of lost fish due to hooks ripping out. Mono & a graphite rod might work, but I'd still use glass. Atwood holders might work OK, but make sure you have a solid mount & keep an eye on them. If I'm wrong you'll lose a rig. I've used Cabela's quick draw holders on occasion & they work. Most of the time the dipseys are on my rigger board.

Stormsearch: As was mentioned Diawa makes a cheap rod that works well. Shimano TDR rods, Eagle Claw, Shakespeare...all have dipsey rods available & they are all around $30 ea. Go with the ones with the best reel seat. Shimano uses stainless reel clamps.

You might consider Slide Divers for walleyes...they do everything Dipseys do & allow you to put any length lead between the diver & your bait. I think www.slidediver.com has info..Bass Pro sells them, same price as Dipseys.

[cisco]

I can't think of anything more I could ask of my Shakespeare Ugly Stik dipsey rods ("Big water" models, 7 ft glass). For both downriggers and for Dipseys, I don't believe anyone makes a better stik for the money than Shakespeare. For example, the one time I tried four Daiwas (touted as being Great Lakes trout and salmon rods) three broke within the first two months of the season. I did not ask for replacement, because I simply went back to Ugly Stiks. For the Dipseys, use the heavy action, and use the ones with foam handles, they'll hold up well in rod holders.

[TS 45]

I use 2 St.Croix 10' Pro Glass rods, $90.00 each. They work great and are specific dipsy rods, have Browning "Silaflex" also but the workmanship is not as good, I've had one in for repair for 3 months now and finally replaced it with a St. Croix. The Daiwa's look like a good rod for the $$$$, I know their reels hold up well.

[ETT]

Size the rods to match your boat ie. under 24' go with 8 or 81/2'ers, over 24' longer if you like them. Get rods that are designed for Dipsy use. We are curently using Okumas (81/2'ers). Good luck.

[Gray Ghost]

I use 9' Diawa dipsey rods and they have been fine. The longer length is nice - you can set them in holders horzontal to the boat and parallel (or nearly so) to the water, which helps get the dipsey lines away from downrigger lines (if you are running riggers). The Diawas have been durable for me for 2 seasons and aprx. 35 outings. They have a lot of flex, which is good because I also use a 30# superline to my Dipseys. They are a little awkward to store in the boat, however, due to their length.

I also use some older Eagle Claw rods which are 8' long. These are working fine too.

If you have not tried Slide Divers, give them a try. I use both Dipseys and Slide Divers (sometimes running 2 Dipseys on one side and 2 Slide Divers on the other side) and sometimes they outproduce the Dipseys. Unfortunately I have not yet been to Erie with the Slide Divers so I don't know if they are more effective on walleyes. I usually fish Lake Mich. for trout and salmon.

GG