Sk8man

You'll notice on most dipseys there is a weighted selector with the numbers on it and by turning it either way it forces it to go in that direction to the degree you turn it (one being less severe than 3) and yes it will go to the left or port if the weight is shifted that way. Don't go past the 3 setting on either side though as it will force the dipsey to surface usually. The higher the number of the setting the shallower the dipsy will run in the water too.I usually set the release by "feel" depending on what I'm running behind it (e.g. fly, spoon, stick etc.) and what I'm fishing for Walleye lighter than Chinook or trout. You won't get into trouble for experimenting

I hear ya John but at this age I have a DILLIGAF attitude sometimes and luckily my wife has a great sense of humor and takes my ideosyncrasies well and maybe it helps being 10 years older than her so she attributes it to senility

Use a single or double crimp

I think you are referring the the Fish Hawk TD which is a whole different thing than the probe that is used with the Fish Hawk X4 or X4D am I correct?

I'm not an electronics whiz but I think the thru hull and in-hull transducers may be designed a bit differently and may project a stronger signal. It is probably best to use a transducer specifically designed for the intended use.

I'm with ifishy and Silver Fox on the shorter leader/better action. If you think about the fishes position in the water usually underneath and back and often following for a ways so 10 or 12 ft is plenty as far as the "stealth" issue and lure action may be a more powerful variable than stealth anyway in triggering a response from the fish regardless of species.

I don't think you can go wrong with a correctly selected Airmar transducer ify our wallet will permit it. I had one on my previous unit and it worked great and lasted for years

Good point

Might want to consider using the Chinook divers with less drag bringing them in (than the mags). I know what you mean about the counting up of equipment. After returniug form the Watkins show yesterday my wife said "Why are all your hobbies so expensive? My reply was have you recently taken a look at your clothes closet?

This is a pretty unique website. When I initially joined on here at Admiral Byrd's suggestion I posted maybe a couple posts and then was distracted by other life stuff and didn't get on much for a couple years and then one day I figured i'd check it out again and realized after looking through the myriad of posts that LOU is very different than the other sites I've frequented in the past and folks are not only generous with information but many members show a concern for others that is over and above the norm these days....my kind of place . I also figured at this point in life after spending my whole life fishing I might have something to contribute and give back to the sport as well. The above examples sure illustrate the fact that this willingness to share is a general phenomenon here and is truly special these days....long live LOU and the good people that frequent it P.S. It has also been great meeting folks in person and establishing some great new friendships

Sounds like one of those "cart before the horse" situations....could have been beneficial to ask the question before rigging the setups but we've all been there I should think that if you fish the Finger Lakes or other lakes other than Ontario the 20 lb setups should be fine despite not gaining much depth-wise as both the 30 and 20 lb wire are pretty small diameter anyway. I'd just be careful to routinely inspect either lb test especiallly the 10 ft or so at the end though for potential damage (eg. mainly due to kinking) or near the crimp edge if you use them.