FishUSA Angler Resources

How to Use a Dipsy Diver

By: FishUSA Staff

July 19, 2023

Fishing a Dipsy Diver is an extremely effective way to target many species while trolling, especially walleye, salmon, and steelhead. Dipsies are incredibly popular on the Great Lakes for all 3 of these species because they allow you to get your lines deep very easily. In this article, we'll talk about how to fish a dipsy diver and go over everything you'll need to put together a successful dipsy program.

Table of Contents

  • What Is A Dipsy Diver?
  • Dipsy Diver Sizes
  • Dipsy Diver Depth Chart
  • How To Rig A Dipsy Diver
  • Dipsy Diver Setup - Rods
  • Dipsy Diver Setup - Line
  • Dipsy Diver Setup - Leaders
  • Dipsy Diver Setup - Lures
  • Dipsy Diver Setup - Terminal Tackle
  • Dipsy Diver Setup - Accessories

What Is A Dipsy Diver?

A Dipsy Diver is a popular fishing device designed to help anglers achieve greater depths when trolling for fish. This innovative tool is particularly useful for targeting species that dwell deeper in the water column, where traditional trolling methods may not be effective. The Dipsy Diver works by creating a diving action that pulls lures down to the desired depth, making it an essential piece of equipment for serious fishermen.

Key Features of a Dipsy Diver

  • Adjustable Depth Control: Allows anglers to set and maintain precise depths for their lures, ensuring they reach the optimal strike zone for specific fish species.
  • Directional Steering: Equipped with an adjustable fin that can direct the diver left or right, increasing the area covered while trolling.
  • Variety of Sizes: Available in different sizes to accommodate various trolling speeds and depths, catering to a wide range of fishing conditions and targets.
  • Tension Control:Allows amount of tension needed to "trip" diver to be adjusted

How Do Dipsy Divers Work?

The Dipsy Diver is attached to the fishing line between the rod and the lure. When deployed, its design causes it to dive and maintain a consistent depth, guided by the adjustable fin. The diver's unique shape and weight distribution create a downward pull, allowing lures to travel much deeper than they would naturally. This makes the Dipsy Diver an invaluable tool for reaching fish that inhabit deeper waters, such as salmon, trout, and walleye.

Benefits of Using a Dipsy Diver

  • Enhanced Catch Rates: By targeting fish at specific depths, anglers can significantly improve their chances of success.
  • Increased Versatility: The ability to control both depth and direction allows for more strategic fishing, adapting to different environments and fish behaviors.
  • Efficiency: Reduces the need for multiple lines and heavy sinkers, simplifying the trolling setup and making it more manageable.

Dipsy Diver Sizes

Size Diameter Max Diving Depth
Mini (3/0) 2 1/4" 20ft
Small (0) 3 1/4" 30ft
Large (1) 4 1/8" 50ft
Jumbo (3) 4 7/8" 100ft

Dipsy Diver Depth Chart

Every Dipsy Diver comes with a depth chart on the back of the package. These charts explain exactly how much line you need to have out for your Dipsy Diver to reach your desired depth on a certain base plate setting based on fishing with 20lb mono. The diver will achieve a greater depth quicker than what is indicated when fished with thinner diameter line.

Dipsy Diver Chart

How To Rig A Dipsy Diver

Rigging a Dipsy Diver for different types of lures involves a few key steps to ensure proper presentation and effectiveness. Here’s how to rig a Dipsy Diver depending on the type of lure you are using, including the use of flashers or dodgers.

General Setup

  1. Select Your Dipsy Diver: Choose the appropriate size and color of the Dipsy Diver based on the depth and conditions you will be fishing in. Dipsy Divers come in various sizes, typically ranging from 0 (smallest) to 3 (largest).
  2. Attach the Diver to Your Main Line: Use a strong snap swivel to attach the Dipsy Diver to your main fishing line. This helps prevent line twists and allows for easy attachment and detachment.
  3. Attach Your Chosen Lure to Diver: Attach a snap swivel to the back end of the Dipsy Diver. Connect your leader line to the snap swivel. Then, attach your lure to the other end of the leader.
  4. Set the Dipsy Diver’s Direction: Adjust the dial on the Dipsy Diver to the desired direction. The numbers on the dial correspond to the direction the diver will go. A setting of “0” will make it dive straight down, while settings from “1” to “3” will make it veer to the left or right.

Using Different Types of Lures

Spoons

Leader Length: Use a leader of 6 to 8 feet. Spoons work well with a medium-length leader to allow for natural movement.

Crankbaits

Leader Length: Use a leader of 4 to 6 feet. Crankbaits have their own action, so a shorter leader is sufficient.

Trolling Flies or Meat Rig

Leader Length: Use a longer leader of 8 to 10 feet. Flies and streamers need more distance to flutter and attract fish.

Soft Plastics or Worm Harnesses

Leader Length: Use a leader of 5 to 7 feet. This length allows for good movement and visibility.

Using a Flasher or Dodger

Flashers and dodgers are attractors used to add more movement and flash to your lure setup, making it more enticing to fish. They are especially effective in low-light conditions or in deep water where visibility is reduced.

General Setup with Flasher or Dodger

  1. Select Your Dipsy Diver: Choose the appropriate size and color of the Dipsy Diver based on the depth and conditions you will be fishing in. Dipsy Divers come in various sizes, typically ranging from 0 (smallest) to 3 (largest).
  2. Attach the Diver to Your Main Line: Use a strong snap swivel to attach the Dipsy Diver to your main fishing line. This helps prevent line twists and allows for easy attachment and detachment.
  3. Attach the Flasher or Dodger: Connect the flasher or dodger to the dipsy diver using a snap swivel and a leader 
  4. Attach Your Chosen Lure to Flasher/Dodger: Using another leader, attach your lure to the other end of the flasher/dodger.
  5. Leader Length After Flasher/Dodger: The leader length from the flasher/dodger to the lure is typically shorter than the leader from the Dipsy Diver to the flasher/dodger. This ensures the lure stays in the attraction zone created by the flasher/dodger.
  6. Set the Dipsy Diver’s Direction: Adjust the dial on the Dipsy Diver to the desired direction. The numbers on the dial correspond to the direction the diver will go. A setting of “0” will make it dive straight down, while settings from “1” to “3” will make it veer to the left or right.

Using Different Types of Lures with Flashers or Dodgers

Spoons

Leader Length:

    • From Dipsy Diver to Flasher/Dodger: 4 to 6 feet.
    • From Flasher/Dodger to Spoon: 2 to 4 feet.

Trolling Flies or Meat Rig

Leader Length:

    • From Dipsy Diver to Flasher/Dodger: 5 to 7 feet.
    • From Flasher/Dodger to Fly/Streamer: 3 to 5 feet.

Additional Tips

  • Line Type: Use a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader for better invisibility in water. The main line can be braid for strength and reduced stretch.
  • Check Your Leader: Ensure your leader is strong and free of nicks or abrasions to prevent break-offs.
  • Adjusting Depth: Experiment with different settings on the Dipsy Diver dial and leader lengths to find the optimal depth and presentation for the fish you are targeting.
  • Adjusting for Action: The action of the flasher or dodger will influence the movement of the lure. Adjust the leader length and type of lure to optimize the action.
  • Speed Control: The trolling speed will also impact the effectiveness of the setup. Flashers and dodgers work best at specific speeds, typically slower than when using lures alone. Experiment to find the ideal speed.
  • Testing in Water: Before deploying your rig, test it in the water beside the boat to ensure the lure has the desired action.

By incorporating flashers or dodgers into your Dipsy Diver setup, you can enhance the attractiveness of your lures and increase your chances of catching fish, especially in challenging conditions.

Dipsy Diver Setup - Rods

It's extremely important to use the right rod when fishing a dipsy diver. The perfect dipsy diver rod has enough backbone to handle the diver's strong pull and to easily "trip" the device, but with a soft enough tip to keep skin-hooked fish pinned. FishUSA Pro Staffers and Charter Captains helped us to design 2 models of FishUSA Flagship Trolling Rods to be the perfect lengths and actions for fishing with dipsy divers.

FishUSA Flagship Diver Rods Specifications

Model Power Line Weight Use
FFSHIP-T-902-MH Medium Heavy 15 - 30lbs Inside Diver
FFSHIP-T-1002MH Medium Heavy 15 - 30lbs Outside Diver
Buy A FishUSA Flagship Diver Rod

Features

  1. The FFSHIP-T-902MH is referred to as an "inside diver" rod because it is the perfect length for running dipsies close to the port or starboard side of the boat
  2. The FFSHIP-T-1002MH is referred to as an "outside diver" rod because it's the perfect length for running dipsies a greater distance from the port or starboard sides of the boat, outside of your inside dipsies.
  3. Sea-Guide uplocking reel seats with cushioned hoods
  4. Heavy-duty line keepers
  5. Triangular EVA foam foregrip for extreme comfort
  6. Designed and thoroughly tested by FishUSA charter captains and pro staff

Dipsy Diver Setup - Line

The correct line is imperative to having succes while fishing dipsy divers. In order to reel a dipsy in, it needs to be "tripped". What this means is that the realease on the diver must be triggered so that it can be reeled in with as little resistance possible. The less stretch you have in your line the easier it is for the diver to trip. For this reason, braided line is extremely popular when fishing dipsy divers. For walleye trolling applications on the Great Lakes, 30lb test is the perfect diameter and strength for fishing a dipsy diver. For species such as salmon, heavier braid may be needed. Keep in mind the amount of line you have out is directly related to the depth your diver will dive to, and the thinner the diameter of your line the quicker the diver will reach that depth. Although it's possible to use mono to fish a dipsy diver, it can be significantly more difficult to trip the device due to the large amount of strecth in the line. Mono strong enough to fish a dipsy diver with is also likely to have a large diameter, making it more difficult to reach your divers maximum potential depth.

PowerPro Braided Spectra Fiber Line

PowerPro Braided Spectra Fiber Line Specifications

Specification Details
Diameter of 30lb 0.28mm
Color Moss Green (recommended for trolling)
Buy PowerPro Braided Spectra Fiber Line

Features

  1. Superior knot strength
  2. Near zero stretch
  3. Incredible strength – 10X stronger than steel
  4. No reel memory
  5. Won't cut guides

Dipsy Diver Setup - Leaders

When fishing a dipsy diver, leader length and strength are going to vary greatly based on the loacation and species you're fishing for. For unpressured fish or on a lake with low visibility, you may be able to get away with leaders as short as 6 or 7 feet. For skittish fish and clear water applications, you may want to go with a leader as long as 10 or 12 feet. Fluorocarbon is very popular as dipsy diver leader material because it is 100% invisible to the fish. For Great Lakes walleye fishing, 12-17lb is the standard. For larger steelhead and salmon, 20-30lb may be necessary depending on the size of fish in your area and water clarity.

Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon Line

Specifications

TEST DIAMETER DIAMETER
4 lb. 0.007 in. 0.165 mm
6 lb. 0.008 in. 0.205 mm
8 lb. 0.009 in. 0.235 mm
10 lb. 0.010 in. 0.260 mm
12 lb. 0.011 in. 0.285 mm
15 lb. 0.013 in. 0.330 mm
17 lb. 0.015 in. 0.370 mm
20 lb. 0.016 in. 0.405mm
25 lb. 0.017 in. 0.435 mm
Buy Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon Line

Features

  1. Excellent knot strength
  2. Virtually invisible underwater
  3. Superior abrasion resistance
  4. Made from exclusive 100% Seaguar resins

Dipsy Diver Setup - Lures

A Lake Erie walleye that couldn't resist a Bomber Long A in the FishUSA exclusive "Trickster" color presented behind a Dipsy Diver

A Lake Erie walleye that couldn't resist a Bomber Long A in the FishUSA exclusive "Trickster" color presented behind a Dipsy Diver

Now for the most important part of the entire setup, the lure! Obviously, the lure you'll run behind a dipsy is dependent on a number of factors, but if you're fishing for walleye, salmon, or steelhead on the Great Lakes it's going to be a spoon, shallow diving crankbait, or a crawler harness. The key similarity in all of these baits is that they do not dive deep, meaning they won't dive below the dipsy diver. Crankbaits such as Bandit Walleye Shallow Divers, Bomber Long As, and the Storm Jr. Thunderstick are extremely popular baits for use behind a dipsy diver. As for spoons, Michigan Stinger scorpion, standard, and stingray spoons are all excellent choices depending on the size and species of fish you're targeting. Dreamweaver and Moonshine Lures also make excellent trolling spoons. Crawler harnesses (aka spinner rigs) are a common favorite among walleye anglers running dipsy divers. The Dreamweaver Wormburner and full selection of Dutch Fork and Northland harnesses will all put walleyes in the boat.

Dipsy Diver Setup - Terminal Tackle

Using quality terminal tackle is key to having the proper dipsy diver presentation. Tied onto your braided mainline and connected to the tripping mechanism of the dipsy diver will be a snap swivel. Size 4 in the FishUSA Welded Ring Ball-Bearing Swivel Snap or VMC Stainles Steel Tournament Snap Swivel will work well. On the rear end of the dipsy diver (where your leader will be attached) attach a size 3 duolock style snap. This snap will make it very easy when it comes time to change leaders. The FishUSA Heavy Duty Duo-Lock Snap will get the job done no matter where or what you're fishing for.

Dipsy Diver Setup - Accessories

There are a few accessories out there designed to help enhance the effectiveness of a dipsy diver. One is called a snubber. A snubber is an important component of many dipsy diver setups. Read below to learn when, why, and how to add a snubber to your presentation.

Snubber Specifications

Specification Details
Colors
  • Chartreuse
  • Fire
  • Kelly Green
  • Clear
Lengths
  • 6"
  • 8"
  • 12"
Buy A Luhr Jensen Dipsy Diver Snubber

About Snubbers

  1. The snap end of the snubber is attached to the dipsy diver and the leader is tied onto the swivel end
  2. In high speed, high tension dipsy diver trolling applications, hooks can be pulled from striking fish's mouths before a solid hookup can be achieved
  3. Snubbers give that extra bit of stretch that allows the fish to easier achieve a solid hold of a bait or lure before coming tight and effectively setting the hook
  4. This stretch also protects your leader, especially when targeting hard-fighting salmon and steelhead
  5. Snubbers allow you to have all the benefits the stretch of monofilament line allows while using braid and wire main lines

"O" Rings are another optional addition to dipsy divers. They're exactly as they sound, a ring shaped like an "O" that is designed to snap onto your dipsy diver to increase its surface area allowing it to dive up to 20% deeper. They're available for size #1 and size #3 dipsies and are popular when fishing very deep for salmon, steelhead, lake trout, or other offshore species that prefer deeper haunts.

Dipsy divers are an important part of almost every angler's trolling arsenal. Dipsies can be intimidating to fish with it at first, but familiarizing yourself with their design and specifications can help you get started. We hope this article helps you put together a killer dipsy program this year!

Check out our YouTube Video on How To Fish A Dispsy Diver

FishUSA Pro Staffer and Lake Erie Walleye Charter Captain Ross Robertson gives a quick explanation on the how, when, what, where, and why of fishing a dipsy diver