What size dippseys??

[mjwchart]

I'm new to the trolling game and would like to buy some dipseys to use for both walleyes and trout/salmon.

What size, color should I buy? Is line important when determining what rod to use? Any tips would be great.

Thanks in advance!

[ETT]

In the central basin of Lake Erie, the larger Dipsy are much more popular . The super braid lines are, in my estimation, a must. 30 pound test is probably the most common. Rods must be designated as Dipsy rods & rated for at least 30 pound line. With super braids a snubber is recommended. you might consider buying a copy of Mark Romanac's PRECISION TROLLING. It covers dipsys and is full of good info. Available on this site. Good Luck.

[Ram Man]

I use size "0" for both salmon and walleye. The drag created by the larger dipsys can sometimes make it difficult to get it out of the rod holder fast(depending on your holders).

I use my downrigger rods in an 8'6" size for the walleyes on Erie. The big 10'-10'6" Dipsy rods are not needed.

The braided lines are nice to use, but you can get away with mono in the 15#-20# class. (XT Trilene and Maxima)

We were fishing with dipsys last season in the western basin(Mi. Oh. border area) and ran them at the #3 setting with a 6' leader to the spoon 70-75 back. We hit bottom in 22' of water at 2.6 mph. Shortened her up a little and BAMMM!! Fish On!!

A quality line counter reel is important. Yourself just starting out might want to look at the Okuma reels. Good reel for the price. Move up to Daiwas later.

For the salmon use the big dipsy rods. You will need the size to absorb the shock of the hit and the runs these fish are know for.

Any other questions e-mail me.
p.s. Where are you salmon fishing??

[mjwchart]

Thanks guys!

Do you think color or brand matter?

[ETT]

My personal opinion is that color is not important. Others I respect think any color so long as it is Chartruse with yellow ring. Luhr Jensen Dipsy are far and away most popular.

[Fin Addict]

I run both 0 and 1's simultaneously. Frequently run 4 dipsy rods at a time. Size and color do seem to matter. I have had days when the only thing going is a 1 dipsey orange w/ yellow ring and caught all fish on that rig even w/ 11 other rods out. No fish on the same dipsey w/ a different color ring or on a 0 in the same color. Other days the hits will be on the 0 Green w/ yellow ring. Experiment w/ different sizes and colors to see what is working. Be sure to use snubbers esp if you run w/ Fireline or other low stretch line. You will boat a lot more fish.

[mjwchart]

How far back should I run my lures from the dipseys? The snubber is between the diver and the lure right?

[Erie_Tournament_Troller]

Yes the snubber goes on right behind the Dipsy, then the jumper. We run 5-6' jumpers with 1 ball bearing snap swievel at the snubber and a round bottom snap only at the spoon or stick bait. If we are trolling with harnesses we put a second ball bearing swievel on the jumper to eliminate twisted jumpers.Also we use 25 pound pure flourocarbon leaders. They are very stiff and help resist twisting. Hope this helps. Good luck. As you go further East from Cleveland there is a tendency for the fishermen to run longer jumpers, at Fairport Harbor most run 9-10' jumpers, with mostly harnesses.

[Erie_Tournament_Troller]

Yes the snubber goes on right behind the Dipsy, then the jumper. We run 5-6' jumpers with 1 ball bearing snap swievel at the snubber and a round bottom snap only at the spoon or stick bait. If we are trolling with harnesses we put a second ball bearing swievel on the jumper to eliminate twisted jumpers.Also we use 25 pound pure flourocarbon leaders. They are very stiff and help resist twisting. Hope this helps. Good luck. As you go further East from Cleveland there is a tendency for the fishermen to run longer jumpers, at Fairport Harbor most run 9-10' jumpers, with mostly harnesses.