Walleye Leadcore with Deep Divers

[Ten Percent]

By now, most of us have knowledge of some decent estimators for the running depths of various lure setups (like the Precision Trolling data- and/or other dive charts etc). Use of this information can be critical to presenting your bait of choice in the strike zone. Right now I am only invested into a few 5 color lead core rigs and a ten color (as I've heard that the 5 color seems to get used the most with success). I've got dipsey's, snap weights, bottom bouncers, jet divers & riggers bla bla bla.... but I am wondering if anyone has come across a fairly reliable method to estimate the lure depth if you put on a deep diving plug, say onto a leadcore rig? we have a pretty good idea where say a shallow Renosky is running when added to a 5 color. But what if your graph is showing some good marks a little deeper? can you look up the dive curve for your deep diving plug and simply add that to where a 5 color should run? i'm sure its probably not that simple. I am just considering other "depth" options instead of spending more money on more lead core, rods/reels etc. anyone with experience running deep diving plugs on leadcore, please chime in.

 

thanks

[RandyD]

Subscribing! Interested in this also

[fishmaster]

I have found that a deep diving reef runner 800 adds approx 10ft to whatever leadcore it is put on. I have consistently hit bottom in 35 ft of water with a 5 color and reef runner 800. I have not experimented with other deep diving lures but would assume that they would add depth to leadcore also.

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[Misdirection]

In the central basin of Erie, we run stainless wire. Dive curve is 1' for every 10' of wire out plus your crank dive chart.

We break this out come August (about now) when the thermocline sets up and the fish go deep. It's common to run 300' of wire with a Rapala DHJ-12 which dives 19' on its own to get 49' down.

You can usually add 300' of 12 lbs wire on a fully calibrated 47 size reel.

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[wojo]

In the central basin of Erie, we run stainless wire. Dive curve is 1' for every 10' of wire out plus your crank dive chart.

We break this out come August (about now) when the thermocline sets up and the fish go deep. It's common to run 300' of wire with a Rapala DHJ-12 which dives 19' on its own to get 49' down.

You can usually add 300' of 12 lbs wire on a fully calibrated 47 size reel.

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What fun do you get when you battle a 21 inch walleye with wire, lead core, dipseys. The only way to go is bottom bouncing or jigging . I like to feel my fish at the end of line not dragging a shoe


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[Misdirection]

What fun do you get when you battle a 21 inch walleye with wire, lead core, dipseys. The only way to go is bottom bouncing or jigging . I like to feel my fish at the end of line not dragging a shoe


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We catch the big walleye on wire! And walleye aren't known to be great fighters, just great eaters!!!

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[Ten Percent]

Misdirection- I have also been curious about the stainless, as I 've heard guys like to run that in the Central basin. Can you offer what the advantages may be over leadcore setups?

 

Fishmaster- thanks for the reply. I do know the RR 800's do catch fish. but I get tired of always re-tuning the damn things! I've recently switched over to a sweet selection of deep diving Bandits, which never require tuning. I also found an "Artist" in Iowa that does custom paint work. Awesome work!!!

[Ten Percent]

Wojo... to each his own...right? I also prefer jigging and/or casting for eyes myself (which tends to be more seasonal for me- jigging in the spring & casting sticks at night in the fall). If trolling in the summertime puts fillets in the freezer, then guess what I will be doing

[Misdirection]

Misdirection- I have also been curious about the stainless, as I 've heard guys like to run that in the Central basin. Can you offer what the advantages may be over leadcore setups?
 
Fishmaster- thanks for the reply. I do know the RR 800's do catch fish. but I get tired of always re-tuning the damn things! I've recently switched over to a sweet selection of deep diving Bandits, which never require tuning. I also found an "Artist" in Iowa that does custom paint work. Awesome work!!!

To quote a charter captain out of Ashtabula regarding wire, "that sh!t just catches fish"!

I don't have much experience with leadcore (did try it for one season).

With wire, we are getting our lures far from the boat (up to 150' out on the planer tow line and 300' back to the crank). Those big fish didn't get big by getting caught. They seem shy of the boat.

Two popular lengths with wire are 180' and 300'. Probably with 20' diving cranks your getting just below the first thermocline and just above the second one out where we fish.

Another thing we do is switch out the cranks. I personally like Rapala DHJ-12's, but also like the Yozuri 4 3/8 deep diving for faster speeds. It's a salt water lure, but we've rolled it was fast as 3.5 knots on wire and they just rip it off the tow line.

The downside to wire is if your running alot of lines, an autopilot is recommended, or at least a really good driver. Tangles just suck!

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[wojo]

We catch the big walleye on wire! And walleye aren't known to be great fighters, just great eaters!!!

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We have a max of 21 inches anything over we release unless injured where they won’t survive. These are the eaters that taste good


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[Thechad]

It really depends on ur leader too. I use 50 ft on all leadcore rods just to be consistent and I normally figure about 12-15 ft with a flicker minnow 9 deep diver plus my lead depth

[nauticalnuge]

Depending on the diver and boat speed  you can pick up an additional 10 - 17 feet if the lure is tuned right and trolling with the waves they will run a bit deeper opposed to trolling into the waves according to precision trolling data Mark H

[garrymny]

I only know of leadcore and Copper for sinking lines and have both. I have not tried my copper on Walleye because I thought my 45 lb Copper may not detect a strike. But yesterday fished were down 60 to 70 and I could not reach them with leadcore. What is the brand of stainless wire you use? I use wire line on my diver rods but it is not a sinking line to my knowledge.

In the central basin of Erie, we run stainless wire. Dive curve is 1' for every 10' of wire out plus your crank dive chart.

We break this out come August (about now) when the thermocline sets up and the fish go deep. It's common to run 300' of wire with a Rapala DHJ-12 which dives 19' on its own to get 49' down.

You can usually add 300' of 12 lbs wire on a fully calibrated 47 size reel.

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[Misdirection]

I only know of leadcore and Copper for sinking lines and have both. I have not tried my copper on Walleye because I thought my 45 lb Copper may not detect a strike. But yesterday fished were down 60 to 70 and I could not reach them with leadcore. What is the brand of stainless wire you use? I use wire line on my diver rods but it is not a sinking line to my knowledge.


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I use American Fishing Wire in a single strand stainless. I personally use 20 lbs test but many run 12 lbs test. I buy it in 300' spools and put all 300 on the reel on top of backing.

You will also need a haywire tool to make the twists as you can't knot stainless.

https://afwfishing.com/afw_products/G020-4.asp


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