According to my personal records over the years, Luhr
Jensen¹s Dipsy Divers fished on up to six rods at a time, have accounted for
approximately 25 percent of my clients’ summer salmonid catch. Other
Great Lakes charter captains, including those specializing in Lake Erie
walleyes, take an even higher percentage of their fish on them. Many
Great Lakes trollers, however, have a difficult time taking fish on diving
planers.
What¹s a diving planer? A Dipsy Diver, you say? Well, sometimes
called a “poor man’s downrigger,” these handy, dandy plastic planers attach to
your fishing line with a bait or lure trailing behind on a leader, easily
reaching depths of 65 feet with 20# test monofilament line, and up to 100 feet
with multistrand stainless steel wire line, depending on how much line you let
out. The Dipsy Diver is available in three sizes: #1, #0, and #3/0 (4 1/8, 3 ¼, and 2 ¼
inches in diameter, respectively). Each has an “O” ring that may be
removed, varying the diving surface of the diver, the amount of resistance in
the water, and its depth.
These divers have an adjustable keel, which angles them out and away from the
boat, to port or starboard, depending on the adjustment. To
make them dive, simply set the metal trigger on the Dipsy.
When a fish hits, or when you pull hard enough on your fishing line, this
trigger releases, and the diver is no longer in planing mode with very little
resistance in the water and almost no interference with the fight of a fish.
Dipsy Divers trolled properly are great for all gamefish, not only when they
retreat to the depths, but also when they are just below the surface.
Catching fish on them is merely a question of understanding how they
function, and putting them to work for you.
Many anglers do not understand how Dipsy Divers perform at different speeds, at
different settings, on different lines like monofilament vs. wire, and on line
of varying diameter. Here’s a handy chart I’ve compiled over the years showing
you how much 20# monofilament line is required to place your Dipsy Diver at a
given depth:
Line: 20 lb. (.017 diam.) Maxima Chameleon
Subsurface speed: 2.5 MPH
Reel: Penn
Model 875 Digital Counter
Large Dipsy (no ring)
Large
Dipsy (ring)
Depth(ft.) Setting #1 Setting #3 Setting #1 Setting
#3
10
-
-
- -
15
-
-
-
-
20
-
47
- -
25
-
58
- -
30
-
75
58
-
35
-
96
69 -
40
-
125
88 -
45
-
165
110
-
50
-
218
134
-
55
-
271
161
-
60
-
-
- -
65
-
-
218
-
Conditions have changed on Lake Ontario, and so have consistently
successful angling techniques. In the early 1970’s, a chartreuse
downrigger weight disappeared at 2 to 4 feet below the surface. In mid
May of 1995 on a glassy calm day, I dropped a chartreuse rigger weight into the
depths and it disappeared at 36 feet. Now that’s a major change!
A few years ago, to catch browns, you simply had to chuck almost
anything chartreuse over the side and tow it around on as heavy a line as you
wanted. Try the same tactic today and you may end up whining at the dock.
The key to angling success today is a light line and stealthy
presentation.
To try light lining for browns, you’ll need a balanced outfit: rod, reel, and
line. Standard noodle rods built for spinfishing are okay for lake
trolling, but I prefer ultraslow action blanks customized for use with light
levelwind reels.
A rampaging 10 to 15 pound brown on light line will test your tackle and
skills. Only the most durable, highest quality line will do the job.
Spool 6 to 8 lb. test running line on the reel and then drop down to a lighter
leader. An 8-foot leader will do the job. I prefer leaders rigged with a
small barrel swivel (avoid bright chrome) at one end and a black or chrome
(depending on conditions and lure) crosslock snap or snap swivel at the other.
Whether a levelwind or spinning reel, the drag must be silk smooth or
you will curse ultralight line as a “hog” brown heads for the horizon with your
lure and only part of your line trailing from his toothy maw. Fill your reel to
the “brim” with ultralight line -- you’ll need it when you hook a monster.
Yes, times have changed when it comes to fishing for shallow water brown trout
in Lake Ontario. “Heave, ho” techniques with heavy line are a thing of
the past. But with a little finesse, you’ll bring in those browns.
This tip sheet was produced by NY Sea Grant and the
Lake Ontario Sportfishing Promotion Council. For more
information about Lake Ontario sportfishing,
contact LOSPC at: Phone:
1-888-REEL-2-IN Internet:
“http://www.loc.org”
LOC Spring Derby April 25 – May 4, 2003 Summer Bonus Derby July 18 – 20, 2003 To register, contact LOC
at “Http://www.loc.org” or by phone at 1-888-REEL-2-IN.
2003 Derby
Dates and Information
LOC Fall Derby August
15 – Sept. 1, 2003
For more than two decades, since the Lake Ontario salmon and trout program took on the status of a world-class fishery, the immediate waters off our three nuclear power plants at Nine Mile Point have been a magnet for spring trout and summertime bass anglers. The warm water discharges of the plants proved a comfort zone for both baitfish and predator species.
Due to heightened security measures, offshore fishing along the productive waters off Nine Mile Point, as well as near the Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in Rochester, is prohibited. Like the restricted land areas surrounding the nuclear plants, a restricted "No Boat Zone" on the waters off the nuclear plants has been established by our national Department of Defense. The U.S. Coast Guard will serve as the lead agency for securing and patrolling these areas, with assistance from state and local police departments.
The “No Boat Zone” for Nine-Mile Point covers an area beginning slightly west of the Scriba boat launch, extending west of the plant facilities approximately one-half mile, and extending offshore approximately one-half mile to a water depth of about 50 feet. A similar zone exists for the Ginna plant. Penalties do exist for repeat violators. Details concerning the restricted zones are available by contacting the USCG Stations in Oswego (phone: 315-343-1551) or Rochester (phone: 585-342-4149).
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released the following targeted stocking numbers for Lake Ontario for 2003:
Atlantic salmon 100,000 fish
Brown trout 425,000
Chinook salmon 1,600,000
Coho salmon 245,000
Lake trout 500,000
Rainbow trout 612,870
Nearly 3.5 million fish are targeted for stocking in the
lake in 2003!