Nessmuk

I decided that since 20# is what the dipsy instructions mention and give a depth table for it would be a good starting point. I'll probably just drag a Sutton spoon or similar around w/o flasher or any fly. I am a machinist/patternmaker and have small lathe and mill but decided against building a DR as the more I read about using the dipsy the more I am attracted. For this fall I hope to try dragging a few ounces of lead and a spoon or spinner and see if I can catch anything. I saw this on you tube and a post in this thread. May try Canadice if there is a nice day and I am able to get my boat in the water. I looked at the boat launch there today and it isn't very nice being rocky and very shallow quite a way out. Hope to get a fish finder tomarrow.

Hermit, Thanks for your post! I'm pretty much under the weather with allergies June/July/Aug and find the summer heat/humidity tough to take. Late summer evenings I'd rather pitch poppers with a flyrod and harrass some bass. Then in September start trolling until it starts to get too cold to bear. Most of my trolling will be spring and fall. I've decided to go with 20# mono and a standard dipsy for the time being. I figure if the dipsy was originally intended to be used with mono it should work ok. I'm not really all that enthused about dealing with wire and think mono will work OK. I just need to find a dipsy rod/reel and decide on color for the dipsy. I have two cheapo die cast rod holders that came with the boat and will try them first. I plan on making some "improvements" to the boat and will install a fishfinder first. Biggest problem is that the boat is too small! The more I fish from it the more I realize that! Gotta live with it for now though. Jack

I just finished reading an article about those nasty little crustaceons that will probably change the FL fisheries. So...... Does using wire trash guides on cheaper rods like uglystik ?

Thanks to everyone for their posts. Once I have the boat set up with a FF and a rod/reel/dipsy I'll have questions in another thread about lures! I appreciate everyones input! Jack

When I was actively flyfishing I spent a lot on tackle at first. More and more as time went by I used less and less tackle. I got to the point where I could fish the local streams with 2-3 flyboxes of flys and one rod always catching trout. It boiled down to learning and time spent on the water. Now my eyesight is such that I can't see size 18-24 hook eyes in low light levels to tie onto the tippet so I decided to try the lakes where much bigger tackle is easier on old eyes and I still flyfish for warmwater species. I can't afford collecting gadgets and toys not to mention that it doesn't interest me much. For me learning about trolling is most important and being the poor and cheap old bugger I am I'll probubly catch fish on a small collection of tackle. I think the dipsy will probably fill my needs at this point in time. Now I need to figure out what rod/reel will work best.

Wes, The more I read both here and on the web the more I am thinking dipsy is the way to go. I am wondering if one of the modern low stretch lines would substitute for wire?

Dipsy diver setup with a small diver as well as the standard diver. Lead core won't get deep enough mid summer and on. Wayne, Thanks! I love answers to questions that also explain why. What sort of rod line would you suggest? Jack

Which rig is more versatile, lead core or dipsy?

Hadn't heard of a dipsy wire rod! I googled it and assume you are talking about using a dipsy diver (new to me!) on wire? Sounds like it may be a good idea. Thanks Wes!

I'm new to this forum and found it while looking for info on trolling/Finger Lakes. I live in Rochester and am primarily interested in Hemlock/Canadice. I've mostly done worm dunkin in lakes and fly fishing streams so this trolling thing is all new to me. I'm on a very limited budget. Just bought a used 12' boat and 6hp motor and am now thinking about how to go about getting ready to troll. I plan on buying a Humminbird 561 which is a stretch for me but I assume that a fishfinder is pretty necessary. Which method of trolling? I have looked at down riggers and the cost is more than I can afford now. I probably could build a DR but am not sure if a DR it is the best method? One thing that concerns me is spooking fish with the boat almost overhead of a fish? Pulling copper seems mysterious to me as how does one know what depth you are fishing? Lead core interests me most but again the cost of a high capacity reel and proper rod isn't going to happen soon. Can lead core be fished as a hand line as in pulling copper? How accurate is depth based on how many colors are down? Any insight as to how to get started in trolling would be appreciated. Jack