Plug diving depths?

[Bubzilla]

Anyone know the approximate diving depths of various plugs? For example, how deep does a Tadpolly generally dive? I'd like to complile a list of plug diving depths--including most of the popular makes and sizes.

I've read that 30 Hot Shots dive approximately 12'. 35 Hot Shots 18'. Wiggle Warts anywhere between 7-12'. Do these numbers sound right?

I've never really been big on plugging, but I've been taking my Dad a lot lately and he's never fished much for steelhead. Needless to say, I've pulled plugs more this season already than I have in the last ten years all put together. I'd like to have a more scientific way of approaching which plug to use in which situation than "oh, that looks pretty!"

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, any useful tips on what to do to effect the diving depths of various plugs would be greatly appreciated.

[Flatfish]

Bub, the poly dives to about 6 feet.Depends on current.3o hot shots a tad(oh please forgive)deeper.Warts will easily go 10-12.The trick is to tune each plug so it dives straight down and not off to one side or the other.In slower currents the k-12 kwikfish and u-20 flatfish work extremely well.Much tougher to tune.Some of these are lemons and make nice ornaments for the tree come the holidays.Remember that deeper is not necessarily better.It is totally possible to run under fish.Especially the first fishable day after a rain with about 18" of vis.The fish actually suspend in these conditions after moving back into the main current.Probably to stay out of a little silt in the lower portion of the water column.Not to say warts are too much of a good thing.Just remember that the next time the Wilson is about 6'.The good part of a deeper diving plug is it dives down to the same depth when the boat is sliding downstream faster.Hence it is possible to cover more water in a day.Not always the best but I think steelies are a matter of sq. feet covered.Anyhow hope this helps.
Good Luck
Mark

[Lyle Froyd]

This is absolute truth.The Small tadpolly rattling or not dives to 9' and the large tadpolly dives to 14'.In Salmon /Trout and Steelhead they covered all of the depths of most Steelhead plugs in last months issue.I fish only the pollies as they do well in slow or fast water.The only question for me is rattle or no rattle.I use the rattle in slow water and the no rattle in fast water.Or i will run 1 and 1 until the ratio goes over 3-1 and I will switch to whatever is getting the takedown. lrods@lrods.com