I worked with John on the slide divers. We started getting salmon when we let out 50 to 75 feet of line before setting the slide diver. Then we let out another 75 feet for depth. I think we got down to 35 feet with that set up. He had a 10 foot section of 8# floro for leader then a braided line. Not sure of the test or line diameter. The depth was at 2.3 for speed. Hope this helps. Give him a call on the Barge. He should be in service on Squam.
I have been using the slider diver lite bite since early summer and have continued to dial in the depth chart with the braid size and line weight.
I really like the lite bites and have had an enjoyable time with them so far this year.
As with Big John I have bottom bounced a few times unintentionally but have been lucky enough to retain all my gear. The one constant that I have found out is that the lite bites dive deeper than I anticipated a first.
I will send you a private e-mail on my findings on the depth chart for my particular set-up; let me know what you find out after using these for a while. I just don't want to publish a chart that is still unproven so to speak.
Thanks for the replies. May I ask how brining in a fish was? Enjoyable with the diver 8 ft above the fish? Any issues when the fish jumped? I noticed that although the line can move through it there is still a little friction which I think could cause the diver to move with the line when there is quick runs or jumps. Of course, I have not had it in the water so perhaps this friction is diminished when wet.
I have had no issue with fighting fish. The first fish I got on a lite bite was a 3.5# salmon and he made several jumps 50 feet behind the boat without any issues.
I also would agree with Roger's earlier post that my best luck to date has come with between 50 – 75 foot of line out before locking the lite bite down.
As far a friction there really should be no friction when the line is let out or retrieved.
