Down rigger ?

[Jaw Breaker]

Took my buddies boat this week salmon fishing and he has two little cannon riggers and they seemed to work ok. I don't have any riggers on my boat and looking for suggestions. Last year I took my boat over to Lud and ran to speed balls and two dipsy's and it worked well but we only fished to 70fow. I mostly walleye fish so I'm not looking to go crazy setting up my 17fter, but the salmon are alot more fun to reel in. Most of my salmon fishing will be from July till the end of August, do I really need riggers, will my speed balls(1-2lb) and dipsy's be enough. I thought about instead of riggers investing in some leadcore setups and maybe wire line dipsy's rods? I have ram ball mount rod holders, and the salmon rip em back when they hit, will flush mount Scotty's hold dipsy rods. Thinking about putting a bolt through both balls of my rams for now, dont have the money currently for berts or big jon's.

[Priority1]

I have 4 electric Cannon downriggers on my boat, but I would sacrifice all of them for 4 Dipsys. The leadcore has been hot also. Don't get me wrong my riggers have put some fish in the box, but my Dipsy Flasher glow squid combos have been my best producers, in Late July and August. I also run some spoons off the Dipsys. Use 30# Braid or wire on the rod side of the Dipsys. It's nice to have the versatility, to run riggers when the fish are deep, but you will have a boat load of fun with Dipsys and core.:)

[Priority1]

I wouldn't trust the flush Scottys for Dipsy rods. The strain of the Dipsys will make the rod holder rise up in the flush mount. The plastic gear will start to round off and keep getting worse. I speak form experience. I did get by for awhile with the Scottys but I drilled them with a 1/8 inch drill bit and put a cotter pin in them. I don't recommend doing this, because of the money at risk if the rod holder breaks.:)

[Jaw Breaker]

Thanks for the feedback, by the time I spend the money on the scotty's and take a chance of losing a dipsy rod I would be better off spending the extra money and buy the trac's and tube holders. I put 30lb fireline on my dipsy rods last week and used them wed/thurs and they worked well, not sure I think I should of put heavier line though. I bought 25lb triple fish flourocarbon for leaders, not impressed no matter what knot or how wet I got it, it still frays. Maybe I will pick up a couple of leadcores combo's at Chucks next trip.

[cadillacjethro]

I have 4 electric Cannon downriggers on my boat, but I would sacrifice all of them for 4 Dipsys.

I have four dipsys for trade:lol:

[Priority1]

I have four dipsys for trade:lol:

LMAO

[J - Rod]

we went the last 2 years without riggers, but only can effectivly fish the top 50 feet. Which is ok in spring, when the lakes turns over, and when the fish are getting ready to run the river. I guess you can get dipsies to go deeper, maybe pick up some mag dipsies too. Full core with snap weights can probably get you deeper than 50 too.

But a lot of fish are caught in the top 50. Riggers aren't necessary, but are nice if you have to go deep.

Now that we have riggers, we haven't caught any fish on them the 2 times we used them.

[QuakrTrakr]

Here's a couple cheap electrics.
http://saginaw.craigslist.org/spo/371093630.html

[Randle]

Good information here. I had the same questions about the rod holder. Would it be safe to run lead core line off planer boards with the plastic rod holders? I have four metal loc tite rod holders that I use for downrigger and Dipsey rods but would like to add two lead core lines and dont want to get the more expensive holders if its not necessary.

Also, I run my dipseys with 25 lb mono and I see you guys mostly use wire or braided line. Does that make a big difference? What type and size of braided line do you recommend?

One more...Can you use mono for the backing on the leadcore or do I need to use braided line.

I just started salmon fishing and I realize there is a lot to learn but I have managed a few fish on my downriggers. Nothing yet on my Dipseys.

[Hunter1526]

I would probably look at two downriggers with ten pound balls and two dipsys and run those awhile.

[res]

I wouldn't trust the flush Scottys for Dipsy rods. The strain of the Dipsys will make the rod holder rise up in the flush mount. The plastic gear will start to round off and keep getting worse. I speak form experience. I did get by for awhile with the Scottys but I drilled them with a 1/8 inch drill bit and put a cotter pin in them. I don't recommend doing this, because of the money at risk if the rod holder breaks.:)

Yup been there doing it right now. Boat I have came with the scotties. I have two of the six that are jumping from the socket. Not all the way out but enough to scare the crap out of you. Pins are in the works before reading anything here.

As for the dipsy depths, there are SEVERAL styles of dipsy divers. I have tried the magnum dipsy divers with mag rings and with power pro line they will get down close to 100' if they are back a bit over 200'. Keep that in mind. I also mix and match. I will put mag rings on a normal dipsy and that can get down around 60 feet or so. I do have two manual riggers on the back of my boat an run them for sure but I would not hesitate to fish total dipsy rigs if they were not working. Rick

[J - Rod]

Good information here. I had the same questions about the rod holder. Would it be safe to run lead core line off planer boards with the plastic rod holders? I have four metal loc tite rod holders that I use for downrigger and Dipsey rods but would like to add two lead core lines and dont want to get the more expensive holders if its not necessary.

Also, I run my dipseys with 25 lb mono and I see you guys mostly use wire or braided line. Does that make a big difference? What type and size of braided line do you recommend?

One more...Can you use mono for the backing on the leadcore or do I need to use braided line.

I just started salmon fishing and I realize there is a lot to learn but I have managed a few fish on my downriggers. Nothing yet on my Dipseys.

I still use plastic rod holders for planer boards, but they were popping out frequently with a 6 oz snap weight on the line. Less weight than that and I was OK. You can try "fresher" rod holder in the socket if it pops out. The tabs may not be worn down as much. I need to upgrade and get 2 or 4 more bert's, but holding out until x-mas. Hopefully I can avoid a disaster until then.

And braid on a dispy makes a huge difference in additional depth gained. You are talking 8lb line diameter vs 25lb. I use 30lb test braid on dipsys. No stretch with braid.

[Randle]

Makes sense. I will switch to braid on the dipseys. Do you use the snap weight on the lead core or do you use that on regular mono or braid? Would that take the place of rigging lead core poles?

When you use planners how do most people set them up? For walleyes I dont let them release I just reel up to them and unclip. Do you do that with salmon too or should I set them up to release and slide down the line? I appreciate the help!

Oh , one more question...do you use braided line for backing on a lead core rod and if so, is that the same type and lb test of braided line you use on Dipsey rods?

[J - Rod]

Makes sense. I will switch to braid on the dipseys. Do you use the snap weight on the lead core or do you use that on regular mono or braid? Would that take the place of rigging lead core poles?

When you use planners how do most people set them up? For walleyes I dont let them release I just reel up to them and unclip. Do you do that with salmon too or should I set them up to release and slide down the line? I appreciate the help!

Oh , one more question...do you use braided line for backing on a lead core rod and if so, is that the same type and lb test of braided line you use on Dipsey rods?

We are relatively new and slowly building our aresenal. I don't have lead core yet, so snap weghts are my leadcore for now and I usually run from 1 to 6 oz (if 4-6 oz, I only run on a church board, not offshore). I run braid for that too (again better depth). Some guys rig their planers to release, but we don't. Just personal preference. I also run big jon mini discs off of planers, that's a little easier than the snap weights.

As far as backing on core, not sure what most guys do, but braid needs backing or it will slip on the spool. So don't use braid for backing. I just use 40# big game mono for backing on my braid reels.

Do a search in the Coldwater, General Discussion forum and you will find all the answers you need there.