Super Snubbers, Wire and Braid: Stop Losing Diver Fish

Adapted from Capt. John King's articles "Super Snubbers" (2013) and "Getting a Line on Spectra Super Braids" (February 15, 2009), first published on MichiganSportsman.com. Originals: Super Snubbers · Super Braids.

Wire and braid let divers reach deep water, but neither line stretches. Capt. John designed the Super Snubber to stop losing diver fish because of it.

Super Snubbers

  • Sweet spot: 4–8 lb of pull (up to 10), with 12" of stretch to absorb head shakes and surges.
  • Stretches from 12" to about 36" at 50 lb.
  • Built with USA shock cord, aluminum crimps and 225 lb Rosco hardware.
  • Runs between the diver and the leader to your flasher or spoon.

A little diver history

John noted that 7-strand wire was first used as Dipsy line around 1989, and Spectra braid came along a few years later. Both made divers far more effective, and both made a shock absorber necessary.

Wire diver tips

  • 30# 7-strand stainless wire. Buy 1,000' spools so you can cut out kinks and keep fishing.
  • Use larger-frame line counter reels for wire.
  • Setting 1.5–2.5 with a big ring, 100–250' out, and a 5–6' leader to the flasher.

Braid tips

  • Braid gets divers past 100'. Thinner is better: John's pick was 35# braid at .010" diameter.
  • Back the reel with mono; you'll never need the whole spool.
  • Melt the cut ends so they don't fray.
  • Add 15–30' of 30# mono leader for Slide Divers.
  • Never run braid straight to a rotating flasher. It twists.

Shop the setup: Super Snubbers & Dipsy supplies · 10" BTI flashers · Spread Setup Guide

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