Check cap’n Ross Robertson’s full write-up here, few excerpts below:
Dipsy Divers
> Originally a salmon tactic, Dipsy Divers have proven very effective on the Great Lakes when you need to get deep quickly and efficiently. While many know their effectiveness on large lakes, I personally know anglers who’ve had great success with them on smaller lakes and reservoirs…you can quickly spin back around and go over a productive area without picking up gear or making a large circle turn.
> …the trip mechanism keeps the diving device forced down (and diving) until it’s released by a fish strike. A dial allows the weight to be adjusted and dive at different angles, allowing more water to be covered and multiple lines to be used per side of the boat without tangling. Shallow-diving crankbaits and thin trolling spoons are most frequently used.
Snap weights
> …adding a snap weight onto your line changes the line angle and causes your lure to run deeper. [It’s] simple, inexpensive and keeps you from having to store a lot of extra gear.
> While clipping on a snap weight is simple, knowing where to attach it can be slightly more complicated. Anglers commonly attach them anywhere from a rod length above the lure, to as much as 50′.
> In situations where you have clear water, fish are spooky or you need a more subtle approach…try placing the snap anywhere from 30-50′ to start. Day in and day out I run mine anywhere from 20-30′ up from the lure. This is a good compromise for subtlety and added depth, while still giving me enough time to unhook it before netting.
> A shorter lead is best when you need to get extra deep, trolling at faster speeds or are worried about tangling. …putting the snap a rod length above the lure helps minimize [those] issues and allows you to keep the snap on while netting.
Glide baits
> Lures like the original Rapala Jigging Rap have been getting so much attention as of late that it has become their best-selling lure. The likes of Al Lindner have taught us that these style lures aren’t just for ice fishing. While they can be cast out and worked, many anglers in the cooler-water periods seem to have the best results working them at or near vertically. This allows anglers to “video game” and work individual fish, reeling up or down to target what you see.
> In most cases you can fish these lures right out of the package, but replacing the treble hook with a larger size seems to increase landing percentages. One rigging tip that will help eliminate some headaches is to use an 18″ leader of heavy fluorocarbon…with a small swivel to attach to your mainline…helps fight abrasions and reduce wind tangles….
Ross also has a few videos to go with all this info in his full write-up.
