dipsy

[Feelin Reel]

what's the best length for the leader off the back of the dipsy?

[Yankee Troller]

As long as your boat will allow you to use! Its hard to have a 10' leader on many smaller boats. Too short and your killing your flasher action.

[Feelin Reel]

I have a 24' thompson

[muskybob]

Just remember that you can only reel in line up to your dipsey. Figure the length from the tip of your rod to the end of the flasher/fly and still be able to net the fish.

[jekyll]

I posted the following in another thread about dipsy leader lenght:

It's limited by your reach when landing fish. Bring the dipsy to the rod tip and see how much reach you have from tip to water. If you go longer, you will create a challenge at the back of the boat when netting. The variables are the length of your rod, the distance from your deck to the water and the length of your net handle. You will get the feel for it once you start.

You can test your variables using the dipsy without anything attached. Tie it to your line; let it out while trolling your boat. Reel it in as if it were a fish and try netting it. The greatest distance back that you feel comfortable netting it will establish the maximum limit you want your fish to be from your boat. That distance will be the combined length of your dipsy, snubber, leader, flasher, fly and fish.