Deep Diving Lures

[rubberwellie]

One for the trollers I think! 

I'm looking for some deep diving lures that I can use on hire boats - i.e no downriggers.  So far I've come across the rapala deep tail dancer and the deep diving x-rap, is it worth forking out on these or are there better lures to be had?  I already have plenty of tomic and kynoch plugs.  I think maybe the DTD's fish too deep at 25-30 feet but the x-raps at 6-15 feet could be ideal?  Another consideration is - are the x-raps big enough at only 10cm for ferox?

[Traditionalist]

Get a dipsy diver and you can use more or less anything you like;

http://www.rapala.com/Dipsy-Diver/Dipsy%20Diver,default,pd.html

There are also other planers which will work without a downrigger.

http://www.seastriker.com/downloads/clark.pdf

http://dronespoons.com/planers.htm

TL
MC

[rubberwellie]

I have ordered a couple of dipsy divers Mike but would also like a couple of options for flatlining a lure straight out the back of the boat.

[Inchlaggan]

Plenty of information out there on the web, not just the Dispy Diver but other planers as well.
They offer a cheap alternative to downriggers, but have a few problems- don't use a deep diving lure with the Dipsy Diver- and retrieving tackle (without a fish on) is a bit of an art, take care as the planer gets close to the boat they can fly out of the water straight at you.
As ever, Mike has posted up some excellent links, but for once I have him beaten! I googled for some images on trolling planers and this result beats Mike's suggestions.
[attachimg=1]

[Fishtales]

Abu Hi-Lo?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=abu+hi-lo&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

http://www.fishingmegastore.com/abu-garcia-hilo-floating~11271.html

Caught my biggest trout at 16.5lbs from Loch Awe trolling it from the back of the boat. The one I have, forty years old , has an adjustable lip so can be fished at different depths. It is the floating blue, mackerel?, design. I don't know if they are still the same though.

[Traditionalist]

I have ordered a couple of dipsy divers Mike but would also like a couple of options for flatlining a lure straight out the back of the boat.

Can't help with that I'm afraid, I have never found a way to do it reliably.   I have had quite a few pike on a large magnum trailed behind the boat, but I have never been sure at what depth I was fishing.  Lost a couple as well getting hung up on things. Makes it an expensive gamble.

TL
MC

[Traditionalist]

Plenty of information out there on the web, not just the Dispy Diver but other planers as well.
They offer a cheap alternative to downriggers, but have a few problems- don't use a deep diving lure with the Dipsy Diver- and retrieving tackle (without a fish on) is a bit of an art, take care as the planer gets close to the boat they can fly out of the water straight at you.
As ever, Mike has posted up some excellent links, but for once I have him beaten! I googled for some images on trolling planers and this result beats Mike's suggestions.
[attachimg=1]

Indeed, that's a nice looking reel............   Seems some women prefer short rods?

TL
MC

[Inchlaggan]

Can't help with that I'm afraid, I have never found a way to do it reliably.

Nor have I, but there are ways to improve your chances and reduce your lure losses.
An accurate idea of the length of line out, and your speed through the water are essential to getting the lure to the correct depth, as is keeping the boat in a straight line and much else.
For a start I'd switch to a braid line, to eliminate stretch and keep you in touch with the lure, a GPS to get your speed and line, and a small piece of wool tied to the line at the appropriate distance(s). If you are lucky enough to have two boats out, use the second to check that your lure is where you want it.
Oh, and enough depth of water!

[rubberwellie]

Ha ha she can show me how it's done any time! 

I've saw the hi-lo's on ebay before, hadn't really considered them, I'll check out what depth they swim at.  I take the point about the possibility of getting snagged and losing your lure, I suppose the only option is to use a fishfinder where possible and learn the lochs you fish as well as you possibly can.  No doubt you'll still lose lures from time to time though, it's a price we have to pay....

Cheers for the links guys.

Sean

[fergie]

A fishfinders one of the most important parts of your gear sean .If you like normal rapalas or that type of lure get some weights and weigh them down wye leads or specially made trolling leads are available on ebay .I make my own.
Getting the depth right is the biggest problem.Just remember you dont have to be that deep anyway.Even with my down riggers i rarely fish more than 20ft.