[andyotto]

Relatively new to salmon fishing. Last year I ran a downrigger and dipsy off each side. Based on water temp I would also run either a core segment, a copper or nothing of each side in addition. My dipsies are braid and I was wondering how many run 2 dipsies per side. I would like to try wire with the high and low diver setup. Not sure if less is more, if it is worth the potential tangle headache, etc. Appreciate the advice.

I’ll run wire down low and slide divers high sometimes. Mostly I run 4 boards 2 divers and 2 riggers if I’m running 8 rods.

 

[andyotto]

I have zero experience with wire for divers. It seems like my divers dive to the proper depth with power pro, what is different about wire vs braid? Not arguing, I’m seriously interested in the difference. I run copper & weighted steel off boards & long line & it has its days for sure but given the choice I’d rather work with braid. I’m getting ready to pick up 2 more 10 footers for dipseys/slide divers, I guess if there is a definable difference I might give it a try.

It’s just something about the wire John. It just seems to fish better than braid. I can’t explain why but it just does significantly on my boat too.

 

[andyotto]

OK, definitely talked me into it. My next two rigs I’ll get the wire and give it a go. I believe that different metals do sendoff different fish attracting signals, just like with the lead core in the copper.Do you suggest the rods with the rollers and funny tips or just the regular rods OK?

I've got the okumas with the roller tips. Make sure you keep your drags relatively loose. My first wire rod that I bought got snapped by an aggressive steelhead hit with the drag too tight. I had forgot to check it after I set it. There just isn't much give with the wire. Got the fish on half a rod though.lol

 

[andyotto]

OK, definitely talked me into it. My next two rigs I’ll get the wire and give it a go. I believe that different metals do sendoff different fish attracting signals, just like with the lead core in the copper.Do you suggest the rods with the rollers and funny tips or just the regular rods OK?

I will add that I rarely use them until the fish get down 40/50 feet or more. If fish are up high I still prefer slide divers. Wire really didn't begin firing until mid July this year about the same time riggers began to work. I bet they will work better earlier in the season in Lake Michigan. Its seems the fish over there go deeper earlier.

 

[andyotto]

I currently run regular dipsies that trip with a 10 ft leader. Are slide divers and kites worth running also or instead? Also are lites better? Steve

I like slide divers for relatively shallow fish or fish near the surface. It lets me run 30-50 ft leads but then trips so I can net the fish easily even by myself. I tend to use the regular slide divers but have used the light bites too. Both work well but you have to mess around with the trip setting a little. It also takes a little bit to figure out the best way to deploy them on your boat but you figure it out rather quickly.
There is another way to set dypsys so they can be removed while fighting the fish. I can't recall what that method was called but it has been documented here a few times. There are videos on it on youtube.

 

[andyotto]

So is the consensus of the group I can run 6.5' low rods and 8.5' high rods if my rigger booms are 2' and I keep them at a 45? Do I need longer rods?

Like John mentioned There is no doubt that you can. Personally I like the 8’s. It gives you a little more reach when setting the divers over and outside your riggers. It also provides a little extra give when fighting a fish especially on wire. I actually like shorter rigger rods which helps keep them down and out of the way. I use 8.6 rods on both high and low divers without issue. I just stagger the rod holders a bit.

 

[andyotto]

Just out of curiosity. What is the longest dipsey rod you have ever used/seen? Got my spread all put together over the weekend. Really like my wire diver set up. But its a 10' rod. If i want to run a fireline high diver. Has anyone ever seen an 11'

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I run a smaller boat part of the year and the long rods really get in the way. If you've got the room it wouldn't hurt but there is a point where they are just too long to work with comfortably. (I know, I know, that's what she said.)