Targeting walleyes in water shallower than thirty feet allows nearly all traditional walleye techniques to be used effectively. However, when fish move deeper—as they often do in the summer—many standard approaches become far less practical. On large lakes or reservoirs with significant depths, having reliable deep-water tactics is crucial. During the warmer months, crankbaits, flutter spoons, and spinner rigs become go-to tools, but they require adjustments to reach deep fish.
Most commonly used crankbaits have difficulty diving beyond twenty feet without additional help. The models that do reach those depths tend to be large, deep-diving stick baits, which can be problematic when fish demand smaller presentations. In warm summer conditions, smaller baits tend to outperform larger ones, even on big waters like the Great Lakes. Yet these same smaller lures rarely dive deep enough on their own.
Here are three reliable ways to reach deep summer walleyes and stay in the strike zone.
1. Snap Weights
Snap weights provide a straightforward solution when a favorite crankbait needs help getting to the thirty-foot mark. These clip-on weights add depth to almost any lure, making them a go-to when deeper fish are active.
Though simple, snap weights are not an exact science. Speed changes or even minor directional shifts can cause lures to rise or fall significantly in the water column. Despite this, they offer exceptional coverage and flexibility, especially when fish are aggressive.
Rather than relying entirely on charts or formulas, success with snap weights often comes down to time on the water. Varying lead lengths and weights can help cover different depths efficiently. In these scenarios, exact lure depth is often less critical than the ability to trigger strikes.
2. Leadcore Line
Leadcore line consists of a Dacron outer sheath with a lead core running through it. Every thirty feet, the sheath changes color, helping track how much line is deployed without the need for a line counter. These color sections also allow depth results to be replicated across multiple rods.
Leadcore allows even the smallest lures to reach impressive depths. Like most weighted systems, it is highly speed-dependent. Increasing speed causes the line to rise in the water column, while slower speeds allow it to sink deeper—similar to jigging.
A common rule of thumb when trolling at 2 to 2.5 mph is that each color of leadcore adds about five feet of depth. However, lure design, leader length, and water resistance all influence final depth. Most anglers favor 18-pound test for a good balance of strength and low resistance. For added performance, options like Suffix 832 with Gore fibers offer increased durability and improved depth due to reduced diameter.
Two spooling strategies exist: spooling a full core of ten colors on a single reel for straight-back trolling, or segmenting leadcore in shorter three-color sections. The segmented method pairs well with planer boards to spread lines and increase coverage, though it requires more reels to fully work the water column.
3. Dipsy Divers
Dipsy Divers are widely used across the Great Lakes and are surprisingly effective beyond those waters. These directional diving devices allow fast trolling while maintaining depth and minimizing line out, offering efficient lure deployment and reduced tangling.
A unique advantage of Dipsy Divers is their ability to spread lines away from the boat, reducing spooking and increasing the number of rods that can be run. An adjustable weight dial shifts the diving direction, enabling anglers to cover more horizontal space.
Dipsy Divers require slightly stouter rods and are most effective when paired with braided lines. The braid minimizes stretch, helping to trip the diver’s release mechanism during subtle bites. Monofilament often stretches too much and can fail to disengage the mechanism, costing fish.
Snap weights, leadcore line, and Dipsy Divers each offer distinct advantages for deep-water walleye fishing. While other methods exist, mastering these three provides an effective foundation for reaching suspended walleyes during the summer season. When smaller lures are needed to match fish preferences, these tools can be the key to success—ensuring that the presentation gets where it needs to be: in front of the fish.
Image/Source: MeatEater
