Backtrolling divers?

[River Ranger]

Just wondering how some of you fish those jumbo jet divers in the willamette and columbia.I don't use them to much so trying to figure out how much line to let out.I let mine dredge the bottom using a long dropper,This way I know I am down.Is there a better way?? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Looking foward to fishing the oregoncity area and want to backtroll more.Thanks.
R.R.

[Old Salty]

Hi,

We back troll diving planers all the time. The type we use is our very own Old Salty Planer.
They're avalable in 12 custom sizes ranging from
a 1 oz. rod planer & go all the way up to a deep diving Downrigger Planer. In the Willamette we
usually will run a 3oz. Rod Planer. It trolls
at a 45degree angle, usually when your line is
2 to 1. Whats good about our diver is they could
be fine tuned to at the trip wire, to successfully
run 4 out the back of the boat, without tangling
lines. We usually will run 2 oz. divers to the outskirts of the boat, and #3 or #4 Planers just behind the engine wake. This we call is a V spread. It works very well, our divers are made
of 18-8 stainless steel and wont crack or break.
The #4 Planer we back troll at buoy10, and also in
the ocean, if they false trip, you could reset them by mearly aiming the rod tip to the water surface and pulling the butt of your rod towards your chest then the tip of your rod towards the sky. Our diving planer will reset itself trolling, unlike conventional plastic ones.
The reason for running Diving Planers is they're
lighter than cannonball weights, they do not wander underwater, the plate forces them to troll a true flat line. And at fish strike the Planer will trip and start to surface permitting free play of fish without weight drag. Come check us out on i-fish's home pg. under specialty tackle
http://www.oldsaltytackle.com.
Any questions you have about Diving Planers,
don't hesitate to ask.
Good fishin'
Old Salty

[etacada]

sounds like you got the basics down, but once you start dragging the bottom reel in a little so your right above it. this will keep you from snagging the diver. also use about a 5' leader to your kfish or bait. I use this rig in june at the faals with a wobbler trailing and do alright.

cb :tongue:

[River Ranger]

Thanks guys!
R.R.

[Dead Drift]

RR - The jumbo divers work great at keeping your bait/kwikfish stationary. I have found the smaller Jet Divers to often "dance" around which greatly affects the lure/bait presentation. If you let out enough line they will both get down but I have found better success using the Jumbo. Try running it with a 6-8" dropper if backtrolling bait, let the line out about 60', hold the rod momentarily and after allowing the Jumbo to get down "feel" if it is "dredging" the bottom, if not FISH IT, if it is bring up a few turns and "feel" again

If running it with a Kwikfish, increase the dropper length to about 20". Watch the rod tip action, if it looks like your plug is working properly FISH IT. If it looks like your plug is diving/hanging up, then reel in a couple turns to get the enticing action Salmon can't resist :smile:

The Springers Are Coming Soon!!!

Kent