Hot'N Tot Divers

tysdad · 05-21-2005, 11:04 AM

Finally had a chance to wet a line Thursday afternoon on a local trib. and was introduced to back trolling divers w/ bait.

We worked Hot'n Tots and Sandshrimp with a small spin-glow slowly down slots and into good holding water. Although we didnt have any luck, I felt confident with this presentation and wanted to get some feedback or variations on this method. That Tot seemed to work that bait nicely and hold it close to the bottom as the bills get beat up pretty good

Seems like this method would be leathal on summer steel

justcastn · 05-21-2005, 11:13 AM

Here's a couple method's I've used and been told. I don't use the bottom chain to hook my leader on, I use a slider with a dropper for the diver.. And when fishing nook's in deep hole on trib's I take the Hotntot's off and switch to the big jet diver's. They seem to dive deep and stay deep better than the Hotntot.But that's just my personal opinion..Hope this help's....They will put fish in the box!!

salmonstalker 11 · 05-21-2005, 11:45 AM

This is a very productive methed. I preffer to us "BRADS" divers and a small spin-n-glows for backtrolling. I have done very well on both steelhead and springers using bait divers. I use the smallest spin-n-glow i can find with a fresh shrimp. I've always wondered if this would work on big water like the C.R.?
I will tell you that "bait diver + small spin-n-glow + shrimp" = fish on the clack & sandy.

Hope this helps..

cody · 05-21-2005, 12:31 PM

I like the same presentation with the magnum brads.

oregonoutdoors · 05-21-2005, 06:17 PM

All of the brands of divers work. I like to run hotntots in shallower water than the brads. Mud Bugs seem to run better than brads or hotntots. As far as jet divers I like the jumbo jets and the #30 jets as they stay down better and require less line out to get down.

SalmonNilla · 05-21-2005, 08:23 PM

Mud bugs are popular in my neck of the woods. You can get them at Steelheaders West in Springfield. They run an ad in Salmon Trout Steelhead magazine. I'll be using them if any fish make it up this far.

tysdad · 05-21-2005, 08:25 PM

Just to confirm, those were Brads we were using.:lurk:

cutt plug · 05-21-2005, 08:46 PM

I had a local at Pritchards store on the Kalama show me how to run divers and bait. He tied me up and down the river I went. I caught a hen about 12 lbs and a buck that was over 20 lbs!

I like em! The divers were the old hot-n-tots, but today I use the Brad's diver. I run 4-5 ft of leader off the belly swivel and fish em on the oars or the hook.

Good luck.