BY MARK ROMANACK
The market is flooded with in-line trolling weights, but there is nothing like the Off Shore Tackle OR36 series Tadpole Resettable Diving Weights. Most in-line weights achieve depth based on their weight, trolling speed and how much line is deployed. Long leads are often necessary to achieve any significant depth. The Tadpole’s feature a diving lip similar to a crankbait that helps them achieve more depth with shorter lead lengths. Tadpole Divers also hold their depth better at faster trolling speeds compared to traditional in-line weights.
Made from environmentally friendly zinc, the Tadpole functions using an ultra simple and fool proof trip mechanism. Each Tadpole is supplied with two coast lock snaps. One of these snaps is tied to the terminal end of the fishing line and attached to the tow arm of the Tadpole. The second snap is attached to the back of the Tadpole to facilitate adding a leader and the lure of choice.
line, the Tadpole will still function as designed while at the same time preventing grass and
weeds from sliding down and fouling the lure. Not only does the Tadpole dive, it does so
more efficiently than other in-line weights.
When the Tadpole is placed in the water and given a little slack line, the coast lock snap will slip into the elbow of the tow arm and the Tadpole is ready to dive and deploy. When a fish is hooked, resistance will force the coast lock snap to slide to the forward position on the tow arm, effectively converting the Tadpole from a diving device to an in-line weight.
The beauty of this ultra-simple design is the Tadpole dives when you need it to and when a fish is hooked, it stops diving, so the angler is only fighting the fish, not the resistance of the diver. Should a hooked fish come unbuckled during the fight, simply giving a little slack line will allow the Tadpole to re-engage as a diving device, saving valuable time setting lines.
TADPOLE SIZES
The Tadpole Diving Weights come in four sizes including a No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and a Magnum. The No. 1 and No. 2 sizes were designed for targeting fish found in the top 30 feet, while the No. 3 and Magnum sizes can reach depths up to 50 feet.
POPULAR LURES
Tadpole Diving Weights were designed to function with lures that have little or no “dive curve” of their own. Nightcrawler harnesses, live bait rigs, in-line spinners, trolling spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are the most commonly used baits. Tadpole Diving Weights effectively get these baits to depth quickly and efficiently.
BOARD AND FLAT LINE FRIENDLY
Most anglers who troll using Tadpole Divers team them up with in-line planer boards such as the popular OR12, OR38 and OR37 models produced by Off Shore Tackle. In-line boards help anglers spread out their gear and cover more of the water column.
However, Tadpole Divers can also be trolled as flat lines when targeting fish holding tight to structure. An effective four rod spread can be easily set up by running two lines with the rods parallel to the boat and two additional lines with rods presented at a 90 degree angle to the boat.
While the Tadpole is not designed to function like a bottom bouncer, these in-line weights can be presented close to bottom for structure loving species like walleye, smallmouth bass, brown trout and many others.
SUGGESTED LEADERS
Tadpole Divers are designed to be fished with a 48 to 72 inch long leader. Fluorocarbon line makes for the ideal leader material, but monofilament line is also a good option. For targeting smaller species like walleye, spring coho or smallmouth bass, a leader of 12 to15 pound test is ideal. For larger fish like trout, salmon and steelhead, bumping up to a 20 pound test leader is advised.
Tadpole Divers are commonly used to target toothy fish like northern pike and muskie in freshwater and a host of species found in saltwater. In this case, adding a short wire leader at the terminal end will help prevent bite offs.
OTHER BENEFITS
Besides being an efficient means of getting baits to depth, Tadpole Divers are also useful in managing other trolling issues such as lines getting fouled by floating weeds or debris. Floating weeds, cottonwood dust and other debris can quickly foul a trolling lure. The Tadpole Diver catches debris instead of it sliding down to the lure.
The Tadpole Diver is also a handy way of trolling during heavy insect hatches such as the spring mayfly hatch or in the summer when spiny water fleas become a constant line fouling problem.
SUMMING IT UP
The Off Shore Tackle OR36 Tadpole Resettable Diving Weights fill an important niche in the trolling scene. A quick comparison between the dive curves of Tadpoles and other in-line sinkers tells the story best. If your goal is to get to depth without using long trolling leads, the Tadpole Diver has you covered.
