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mastertangler
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05/14/2018 06:18AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Digging around last night on the inter web getting up to speed on the snap weight kit that I picked up (Primo from Offshore Tackle, very impressive quality) and hit on a few items. Many of the walleye guys are using far heavier weights than the top end 3oz that comes with the Offshore Kit. Several guys are using 8oz snap weights to walleye fish with. Probably some do that to help stagger their trolling spread better but several guys mentioned being able to fish deeper for larger walleye. Interesting.........I had considered bringing some larger snap weights but mostly for Lakers. Why do I keep thinking the big shield walleye like 35 and 40ft during the day in August? Just a hunch although my buddy did pick up one better than 30" off a 40' spike with a yellow Northland jig and a dead chub he picked up off the floor of the boat (true!).

These tadpole planer / diving weights are very interesting. Better quality than some of the others I have. I particularly like the way they are attached using the Offshore line clips. I probably wouldn't have ever thought to do that. These would do very nicely for Laker fishing but for precision walleye trolling in deep water I suspect a line counter would be in order as well as a bit of a learning curve.


Planer / diving weight

Lots of Utube vids with the tadpole.......
Utube tadpole
 
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05/14/2018 08:08AM  
MT,

On my last 2 Quetico trips I have been played around with the Tadpole and Snap Weights for getting my trolling lures down deeper for laker fishing. I had pretty good luck using them.

I think the snap and diving tadpole weights would be better when for August fishing when lakers tend to be deeper. I go to Quetico in late June and over the 4th of July and at this time of year ... I have found that just trolling a Deep Down Husky Jerk or Tail Dancer works well for catching lakers.

I am primarily a walleye fisherman and have just begun to find myself enjoying laker fishing. My fishing tackle collection that I bring for walleye on my canoe trips is far too heavy as it is and I continually try to lower the weight of my fishing pack. If I add in an assortment of Tadpoles and Snap trolling weights for laker fishing ... yikes ... way too heavy for my liking.

If I limited my tripping to border lakes like Basswod, Saganagons, or Pickerel where pack weight is not as much of an issue ... I think I would bring a variety of Tadpoles and snap weights for trolling deep with accuracy.
 
mastertangler
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05/14/2018 08:15AM  
Spent much of this morning watching Utube videos on the tadpole diving weight. Very interesting. Its the same principle as planer fishing with a number 0 saltwater planer which I have kicked around often and often thought of using in freshwater.

At least 2 vids show the use of a Yakima flasher used in conjunction with the Tadpole. Looks killer for lakers to me. The small size flasher should be pulled easily enough and it attaches directly to the tadpole for a tight package. Throw it down with some braid and use a 5 or preferably 6ft fluorocarbon leader to a flutter spoon like a Suttons and I believe a real fish catching combination might be had. What I like about the flasher is the ability to get fish interested from a greater distance. Lakers have keen eyes, or so I am told, and the flasher along with a shiny spoon might just be the ticket.

Check it out........I like this style of flasher for light tackle as it spins in-line instead of wobbling side to side (which puts significant drag on the rod).

Yakima Flasher

FWIW the set up, the tadpole plus flasher, was being used in the vid as a walleye set up.
 
mastertangler
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05/14/2018 09:58AM  
Wally13: "MT,

I am primarily a walleye fisherman and have just begun to find myself enjoying laker fishing. My fishing tackle collection that I bring for walleye on my canoe trips is far too heavy as it is and I continually try to lower the weight of my fishing pack. If I add in an assortment of Tadpoles and Snap trolling weights for laker fishing ... yikes ... way too heavy for my liking.


If I limited my tripping to border lakes like Basswod, Saganagons, or Pickerel where pack weight is not as much of an issue ... I think I would bring a variety of Tadpoles and snap weights for trolling deep with accuracy.
"


There is no law Mike that states that "THOU MUST DOUBLE"

On my WCPP trip a few years back I quadruple portaged and still found I made decent mileage. Of course I was up at dawn and ran until evening but it can be done.

This year I am hoping to triple as there is fewer big water paddling days and lots of portaging. Might have to get up before dawn ;-)

My strategy is still blurry in spite of starting to get ready last Sept. What i do know for certain is the emphasis will be on walleye with the primary focus on those of the larger variety. The secondary target will be lakers. Pike will be down the list (incidental) and I will not be bringing my beloved Shadzillas and all the heavy tackle required to fish them.

Right now I am thinking snap weights and tadpoles along with a bunch of Sutton flutter spoons for the lake trout. I wouldn't be surprised to pick up mid lake suspended walleye with the spoons as well.
 
icefishbaby
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05/14/2018 11:39AM  
How fast for the tadpole to run? Wondering out of a canoe if the speed would be correct. Is there a big advantage over heavy weights ahead like many use to troll for lakers-maybe less line needed to be out? Anyone have experience using them from a canoe? I like the idea-need more stuff for my tacklebox...
 
mastertangler
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05/14/2018 11:48AM  
icefishbaby: "How fast for the tadpole to run? Wondering out of a canoe if the speed would be correct. Is there a big advantage over heavy weights ahead like many use to troll for lakers-maybe less line needed to be out? Anyone have experience using them from a canoe? I like the idea-need more stuff for my tacklebox... "


All planer, snap weight and in-line weight systems are speed dependent. The faster you go the more likely they are to rise in the water column. So yes, they are speed dependent. I see no issues, however, using these out of a canoe whatsoever. I have, in fact, pulled full sized dipsy divers out of a canoe several times. It helps to have big shoulders to pull full size dipsys I must admit (whew!)..........the little Tadpoles would be a breeze. An hour ago I ordered 1 each of the 4 sizes offered. I will get to play around with them this summer. I imagine a different size on Erie walleye than for WCPP lake trout.

What I like about the tadpole, and all planers for that matter, is the physics aid in driving the weight downward. Unlike a simple in-line weight or snap weight, the lip of the tadpole acts like a crank bait where the force of the water pushes the weight downward.

The nifty thing about planers is when they get pressure from the rear (lure+fish) they straighten out and that downward pressure is negated. They, in essence, become more like an in-line weight. Sort of the best of both worlds. The advantage I like with the snap weights is the ability to mount the weight any distance you desire from your presentation. 50ft seems to get the nod.......but I am a novice when it comes to snap weights having always used in-line. I will not be a novice by the time the summer is over ;-)

I seen one presentation on Utube where the angler mounted the Tadpole via release clips and you could thus choose to have the tadpole whatever distance from your lure desired. Interesting possibilities. LC reels would certainly get the nod for this work.
 
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