Some know how on Bait divers

Wernergonefishin · 01-21-2002, 06:24 PM

Seen a few people down on the clackamas sat using bait divers was wondering if wiggle warts and mag wiggle warts would work or is it all hotntots.Also would like to learn how to hook everything up . :whazzup:

HOGTIDE · 01-21-2002, 07:21 PM

I think the "Thin-Fin" lip on the hot-n-tot allows it to dig into the curent well enough to get your bait down. I would stick with the H-n-T for bait. The others have more side to side movement and would likely pop your gear to the surface. There, must, however , be a few of those large, deep diving, bass crankbaits that would do the same thing, if a guy wanted to invest the time and money experimenting. Check out all of the "big lipped" plugs in Cabelas. Of course...why fight success, use a proven rig.

The rig is simple. Tie the H-n-T to your mainline. Remove all the hooks from the plug. Place a small bead chain swivel where the belly hook used to be. Run 5 feet of leader from the swivel to a single (Size1)and treble(size 6)bait hookup. Slide a spin-glo and 4 beads down the leader to the bait hooks.

Use the bait rig to lay out a sandshrimp flat with the head pointed down stream. Back troll this rig like you would any plug in slots about 6' to 15' deep. When the rod goes down, let it pump a couple times, before removing it from the holder. The pitiful fish will take it so deep, you'll almost feel bad. Oh ya...now put him in the boat.

*Probably not the best rig when native (releasable) fish are in a river system. The hook rig up is pretty ruthless. But if it's meat you want...this set up puts it on the table.

Think Bob Tolman actually gets credit for coming up with this method on the Clackamas more than 20 years ago, now. It's the bread 'n butter for alot of PNW Guides.

Steelie Steve · 01-22-2002, 06:36 AM

I did a search on either this site or one of the others out there and came across this website. Gives a good basic description of the setups.

http://www.steelheadclub.com/plugsanddivers.htm

Enjoy!

Williedrifter · 01-22-2002, 10:30 AM

Much like wiggle warts or hot shots are some Hot n tots key chain material? I have a couple and some work better than others. Is there any way to tune a HotNTot? I tried bending the bill with a little success but some still seem very eratic.

Artwo · 01-22-2002, 10:52 AM

Jay,
Are you attaching the Hot-n-Tot to your main line using a plug snap ?

If so, tie directly to the clevis that comes attached to the bill.

JK

cosmo · 01-22-2002, 02:45 PM

Jay, to tune a Hot 'n Tot simply bend the long line connector in the opposite direction than the plug swims. Same thought as tuning a Wart but a little different. Takes a bit of practive to get the touch but once you get it wdeged sideways, a slight git of pressure will bring noticeable results.

William · 01-22-2002, 02:57 PM

As a diver use a Mudbug. The best I've ever used.

Artwo · 01-22-2002, 03:00 PM

William,
Who makes the mudbug ? and How deep will they dive ?

Thanks,
JK

William · 01-22-2002, 03:08 PM

They are made by Arbogast. Hardly anyone carries them locally, so I order mine. They have a metal lip and dive deep. I've fished some holes 25-30 ft. for spring chinook and they get me down. Buy the 31/2 inch ones and paint them black. :shocked:

Artwo · 01-22-2002, 03:15 PM

William,
I went and took a look at them and I have yet another question; Do you attach your leader to the front hook location or the rear hook location after the hooks are removed?

Thanks,
JK

Drachir · 01-22-2002, 04:57 PM

Just like Hot-n-Tots, the hook is attached to the eye on the belly of the plug, not the one at the tail end. Use a split ring, and attach either a good quality #7 swivel, or a 5 bead chain swivel to he split ring. This will help prevent twisting of you leader. :grin:

FearNoEvil · 01-22-2002, 05:37 PM

do you fish them from boats only or banks too? can you show a picture of hte setup???

thanks

FearNoEvil · 01-22-2002, 05:41 PM

nevermind.. went to the link

401k · 01-22-2002, 08:05 PM

I just took a "refresher" course on divers and bait setups. It came in the form of a "tech report" from Lure Jensen found at Bi-Mart. I picked it up and read through it to just see if there was any useful new info . They also suggest using Hotlips express plugs for divers. I've used them for steelhead the same as wigglewarts and they work good.

King Kong · 01-22-2002, 08:23 PM

Hello,
I have fished the Clackamas and the Sandy for years and have actually found through trial and error that a standard jet diver works the best to consistently get your bait to the bottom without getting hung up alot. Even in slower current it will get your bait down in the "STRIKE ZONE" You set it up the same as the H-N-T. For steelies I generally use a clear jet diver that will dive to ten feet with five feet of leader out to your bait. Best of luck!

Kevin.

Artwo · 01-22-2002, 08:38 PM

Kevin King,
I lived in Troutdalefor twelve years up until two years ago when I moved to Canby. I pretty much fish the Sandy for springers using the same Jet-diver set-up for the same reasons you described. Through some experimenting over the years I found a little change in that set-up that has increased my catch rate dramaticly. I put my Jet-diver on a slider with about a 12" dropper. I don't know what it is about lifting the bait a little off the bottom but it's been working great for me. E-mail me if you are interested in a more detailed description on how I rig this up.

JK

PS What do you fish in, I'll look for you when I'm out there. I have a blue/silver Fish Rite driftboat with ifish stickers next to the name on the sides, give a holler if you see me.

birdhunter · 01-22-2002, 11:20 PM

Jay,

Some are trash. You can tune them, but they are harder to do than plugs. I have one that runs left, but it outfishes all my normal divers. Not gonna fix that one! Just work on them. If you do get fed up though, you can give them to me for my, uh, "key chain".

Smily · 01-22-2002, 11:33 PM

Steelie Steve found a great site with lots of useful information. The only thing that is missing or what I do with the Diver and Bait is the use of a single hook. But everything else looks like all the proper rigging.

:smile: Smily :smile:

William · 01-23-2002, 01:10 PM

I've used all the differnt set-ups and the mudbug out fishes them all, including the mag jet diver. Take off both hooks and attach a split ring to the front. Then just rig up.

King Kong · 01-23-2002, 01:54 PM

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Artwo:
Kevin King,
I lived in Troutdalefor twelve years up until two years ago when I moved to Canby. I pretty much fish the Sandy for springers using the same Jet-diver set-up for the same reasons you described. Through some experimenting over the years I found a little change in that set-up that has increased my catch rate dramaticly. I put my Jet-diver on a slider with about a 12" dropper. I don't know what it is about lifting the bait a little off the bottom but it's been working great for me. E-mail me if you are interested in a more detailed description on how I rig this up.

JK

PS What do you fish in, I'll look for you when I'm out there. I have a blue/silver Fish Rite driftboat with ifish stickers next to the name on the sides, give a holler if you see me.<hr></blockquote>

Hello Artwo,
I fish in a 16' Koffler with black paint. I think that I may have seen your boat out here before. P.S. I have used the slider set up also. I will give a try again this weekend. Good fishing!!!
Kevin.

Reel Livin' · 01-29-2002, 10:18 AM

Hey William, I picked up a few Mud Bugs from Cabela's. They have a rattle bearing inside and I have heard that you want to avoid a rattle when using a plug as a diver for bait rigs.

Do your Mud Bugs rattle or have you removed the bearing? I'm assuming that the fear is that one doesn't want to attract the fish to the plug.

Although I'm not an experienced plug user (yet), I have to think that a rattling plug isn't a bad thing, even if it doesn't have a hook. If it brings a fish closer to your bait, that has to be good. If it works just fine with the rattle, then I won't worry too much about it.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?
:whazzup:

William · 01-29-2002, 10:53 AM

They do make them w/o rattles inside, but seems to me that the added attraction won't hurt.

Master Baiter · 01-29-2002, 01:17 PM

Can you leave a hook on the plug just in case? :whazzup:

Reel Livin' · 01-29-2002, 02:42 PM

Thanks William. I'll give em' a try with the rattles and see if I can land some steelhead on this setup before the season is over.

I'm also eager to try this with the Springers when the action heats up....can hardly stand the wait!