Getting your cranks DOWN!

[AaronM]

I went downrigging for my first time today, with some pretty good success (11 lbs 29 3/4 in. released). What other ways are there besides downrigging for getting your cranks deep? I have a smaller boat, and I'd rather hold the rod instead of watching, so what is out there? Does anyone have any good experience with dipsy divers? Is there some sort of gimick that tells you exactly how deep your bait is running? I know about the trolling books with dive charts, but it would be nice to have something that told you real-time. Anyways thanks much for any help!

FF

[Northlander]

Dipseys are one option and snap weights may be another for you. Also I messed around with some Jet Divers and they work ok. I liked them for spinners behind boards.
In the river I will use a 2 oz bottom bouncer to get sticks down faster and deeper.

[can it be luck?]

Dive chart for #1 dipsy.

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http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

[Surface Tension]

Your not going to want to hold a Dipsy rod all day. How deep are you looking to go?
Snap wieghts, Leadcore line, Bottom bouncers, Beaded chain sinkers are other options but not as percise as a downrigger.
Use a rod with a linecounter and start experimenting on depth control with the above options.
CIBL your Dipsy chart isnt working, I'll try it with my page.

The chart would be with 20 lb test mono trolling at 2-2.5

[IFallsRon]

A bottombouncer or three-way rig work, too.

[Borch]

Another option not mentioned yet is running wire. I know folks who have done this alot on Lake of the woods instead of getting downriggers or using dipseys or snap weights.

Borch

[hunt4food]

It was mentioned above briefly, but I use leadcore line quite often. I use a large baitcast/trolling reel with a line counter on it. I have 80 yds. of leadcore with a 8' mono leader. I can get a #7 jointed shad rap down about 28' in the St. Croix River where I do most of my fishing. I really like to fish that way.

[AaronM]

Thanks much for all the replies. I'm trying to get down anywhere from 15 feet to 30. I want to be as accurate as possible, so would the dipsy diver be the best in that case? If you did use a bottom bouncer, how long of a leader would you go? Thanks again!

FF

[Crossin' Eyes]

Lead Core is pretty darn accurate. At 2.0 mph lead core will take a bait down 5 additional feet for every color (30 ft) of lead out. I like running shallow diving lures on lead so I can get them deep. For me, with 3 colors of lead in the water and a 15ft mono leader, I can get a #9 original Rapala floater down 18ft.
E-mail me if you would like more detailed info. [email protected]

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Good Fishin!
Crossin