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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
April 7, 2004
According to Luhr Jensen & Sons, in 1932, in an unused chicken coop on a depression-ridden fruit ranch in the upper Hood River Valley of Oregon, Luhr Jensen Sr. started a fishing lure company. It is now known worldwide for its quality fishing lures and accessories.
"The fishing tackle business is a natural for success they say . . . when times are bad, people have the time to go fishing so they buy fishing tackle. When times are good, people buy fishing tackle because they want to go fishing." -Luhr Jensen, Sr.
Luhr Jensen & Sons, also, now make the most effective fishing tool on the Great Lakes - the Dipsy Diver.
This king salmon was caught on the large (#1) light-green Dipsy Diver set at 1 ½ and trolled 155 feet back using the Michigan Stinger Scorpion blueberry muffin spoon
Capt. Dave -
We fish Lake Ontario for salmon and rainbow trout using the Diawa line counter reel, 30 lb. Power Pro line and a dipsy rod. We have purchased the Dipsy Diver, and would like to get information on depths. I was wondering if you have a chart for the depths.
Connie
Capt. Dave -
I'm interested in pulling some spoons this year and hope you can answer a few of my questions. Behind the Dipsy Diver, what size is best? Is there a certain water temperature where they excel or can you use them in the spring when the water temperature is in the 40's to 50's? Should I use a super braid line or monofilament? What speeds are they trolled at? Color patterns? Anything you can share with me would be appreciated.
Manny
Capt. Dave -
I enjoy your articles, thanks for the help. In a recent "Ask the Captain", you stated that you run two dipsies at 3.5, one at 140 and one at 150. Can you run the two together like that without trouble?
Jim
Capt. Dave -
We have written over the years, my question for the day is: What dipsy colors have you found most successful and productive? Without a doubt, mine has been Glow.
Jerry
Capt. Dave -
I am sending this e-mail in hopes of getting your opinion on the Okuma fishing rods. I have been docked in the western end of Lake Erie for several years now and am presently moving my boat to the Central Basin in the Lorain area. Most of the walleye fishing that I have done in the last couple of years has been drift fishing. I am trying to set my boat up for trolling in the central basin. My question is about the Okuma rods that I now have. I have several Okuma 8' 6" medium action fishing rods with Okuma Magda 20DX reels on them. I bought these rods and reels last year from a person that sold his boat. These rod and reels are still in their new packages.
Will the 8' 6" rod work with Dipsy Divers or will I have to go out and buy 9' dipsy rods?
Dave
The basics of using the Dipsy Diver
I am, by no means, an expert on the Dipsy Diver. Some charter captains, for example, can easily run eight large (#1) dipsies at once. They never tangle a line and are successful. I am still learning, though, and only run two Dipsy Divers at one time.
But when I do use them, I am comfortable and confident in their use and effectiveness. Because as a fishing tool, large (#1) Dipsy Divers have caught more fish than any other tactic that I currently use and they are effective for most fishing situations in the Great Lakes.
Getting started (the set-up)
The large (#1) Dipsy Diver uses a finesse presentation to get the bait to the fish, but it requires heavy gear to do so.
Tip: I do have my favorite colors. For walleye and steelhead my favorite color is chartreuse. For lake trout my favorite color is purple.
I prefer the 9 ft. 6 inch dipsy rod. When the fish hits, I want a good hook-set and I want the flexibility that a long pole gives when fighting the fish with heavy gear. I have tried the 8½ foot rods. They don't have the backbone for either. Also, I have found that the longer dipsy poles will help when "releasing" the Dipsy for a bait change.
Reel and line choices are heavy, also. Use a line-counter reel capable of handling at least 300 yards of line. Super braids are a must. Previously, I used 30-pound test, but I have since switched to Berkley Fireline in 20-pound test because the smaller line diameter will allow the Dipsy to dive to a greater depth.
An unreleased Dipsy Diver is frustrating to reel in, especially for a bait or presentation change. It requires a strong tug of the pole to release a Dipsy from its tension screw. With a super braid line that task is easy because it will not stretch as you pull on the Dipsy. Monofilament will stretch, sometimes to the point that you will not get the Dipsy to release.
Tip: To release a Dipsy Diver, tighten the drag or hold your thumb on the spool. Pull sharply back and the Dipsy will release.
A long pole allows for a long leader. The leader behind the Dipsy should be the length of the pole and tied directly to the Dipsy. Again, I do not use a swivel or a snubber at the Dipsy end: I believe both affect the action of the bait.
Fluorocarbon leader lines catch more fish. I prefer 15-pound Seaguar unless my primary target is steelhead; if so, I will switch to a 25-pound leader. Next, I tie a high-quality swivel (rated at a minimum of 45 pound breakage) to the lure end.
Then, don't forget to check the tension release screw - not too tight and not too loose. It should be tight enough to allow the Dipsy to dive; then, release with a sharp tug. It will take a little practice to get this setting right.
The settings
Align the number with the arrow
A book such as Precision Trolling or a diving chart from Luhr Jensen is helpful when learning the basic dive settings because the Dipsy Diver will dive to a certain depth and will dive to port or starboard depending on which setting you choose.
For general use in the deeper waters out of North East, I have two favorite settings: For walleye, I use a 3½ setting most of the summer and vary the length from 125 to 155 feet back. For steelhead, my favorite setting is 1½, with the same leads.
Diving chart courtesy of Precision Trolling
Tip: During May and June (from North East) lake trout love a Michigan Stinger Scorpion spoon behind the (larger) # 1 dipsy. The best setting is 1½ and trolled 85 to 115 feet back. Fish the top of the mountain and over the northern edge.
Time to fish
We're set: the lure is chosen and it's time to fish. Hold the pole at a right angle to the boat (off to the side of the boat, not behind) and set the leader in the water first; then, the Dipsy (just enough to catch the water). This is to check the bait action and to see which way the Dipsy will dive (even I forget my port or starboard settings, at times).
Next, set your line counter to 0 and "slowly" - using your drag (don't free-spool) - let the Dipsy back to the desired length. Note, if it is let back too fast, the Dipsy might spin or twist and not release when a fish hits.
<--to pole--------to lure-->
Tension screw
For more information, Luhr Jensen has an excellent link where diving charts and tips are available in PDF form:
Luhrjensen.com
Finally, all that left is to choose a lure, good weather and a few hungry fish.
Then, a smile!
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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