Original Yo-Zuri Dive Boards

which we import direct from the manufacturer in Japan.

Dive boards have proved very popular with commercial fishermen fishing for Pollack.

When fished correctly, they can be very effective and with more demand for line caught Pollack, this method of fishing is both enjoyable and profitable.

No weights are used.    The board is trolled behind a slowly moving boat. When trolled, the board will dive down in the water with lures trailing behind. Once fish take, the board flips over and rises to the surface making fish retrieval easier. The initial outlay on a board is relatively small compared to other fisheries. Most local fishermen have paid for their board set ups on their first outing, and most days they are used aboard our own boat they have paid for themselves. Those who persevere and are willing to spend time with the equipment, mastering the techniques involved will do well. This year we have seen numerous catches of more than 100kg of Pollack working a single line very close to the shore for short fishing sessions.
We give two options....... 1) Rig Yourself We supply the Board with rigging instructions and fishing tips for you to set the board up for yourself. 2) Ready Rigged Ready Rigged Boards, with 6  x  10/0 lures and fishing tips so you can get fishing straight away. Yo-Zuri K-Type boards are available in three sizes :-

Yo-Zuri K-Boards – Frequently asked questions

We have received a number of questions about getting  the Yo-Zuri K-Boards fishing successfully.

Each Diveboard we supply comes with our "Diveboard Info"  pack which covers all these questions and more besides in greatdetail.

We also offer the usual After Sales support as with all our Products, so customers having difficulty can get one to one assistance in getting the diveboard to fish effectively.

What is a Diveboard ? How does it work ?

The Diveboard is used instead of a weight to take lures down to fishing depth.
Left to it’s own devices the Diveboard will float.
It relies on being towed through the water at slow speeds to make it dive.
Once fish strike the lures and pull on the line behind the dive board, the board becomes unbalanced and because of the constant forward motion, the board flips over and then, instead of trying to dive, it will try and rise to the surface.

The diveboard takes the place of any weights and also acts as an effective bite indicator.

What sized Diveboard should I buy ?

The Yo-Zuri K-Boards are not normally supplied with any data regarding how deep they will dive.
Any figures stated are only a best guess. There are also many variables that will effect the depth at which the board will work.

The K-10 and K-11 are ideally suited to those working inshore in anything from 15 – 25m, while the larger K-13 are more suited to 25 – 35m depths. The K-12 acts as a good intermediate.

Smaller K-boards (K-6, K-8 & K-10) are also very useful for trolling for Bass and Mackerel.

What can I catch ?

The main target species when using diveboards is Pollack (Pollachius pollachius), although other species  can sometimes be caught.

Diveboards can be rigged to target other species by changing the lures rigged behind the board.
It is easy to rig plugs, shads or spoons for Bass or feathers and spinners for Mackerel. 

I have heard of other fishermen saying they are no good; why should it be any different for me ?

We consider that most boards supplied "ready rigged" or with "pre-drilled holes" by other outlets are not rigged in the most effective manner.

After using the K- boards ourselves to land many fine catches of Pollack, we are able to offer first hand experience and advice to our Customers, and can supply "pre-rigged" boards that are ready to go and will put fish on the deck.

What is the best way to rig the Diveboard ?

Every board we supply is either "Ready Rigged",  or is marked with suggested points for drilling holes for rigging the board effectively.

With all boards we also include our "Diveboard Info"  Pack that contains advice on how best to rig the hooks and then work the board.

Do I need machinery or other deck equipment ?

It is easy to use the boards with no machinery or deck equipment, which makes the diveboards accessible to all inshore fishing boats.

Many fishermen who use diveboards regularly will rig their lines so they can be hauled on existing net haulers, capstans or crabbing slaves. As the larger sized boards create a lot of drag, they can be hard work to haul up unless the boat is stopped, or there are fish on the line
and the board rises to the surface of it’s own accord.

It is also possible to very quickly and easily modify the BJ5000 Belitronic Jigging Machine so it can be used to troll diveboards.

What is the best towing line to use ?

Thick, heavy braided lines are best avoided at all cost.
They maybe easier to hand-haul but they cause massive drag and will reduce the effective working depth of the board.

The best towing line to use is Dyneema braid because although it is very strong it is very thin and so it cuts through the water and minimises drag. ( see Belitronic Accessories page)

When hand hauling, compact twines or heavy monofilament are the best choices. Both are relatively cheap and are easily available.

For safety reasons we also advise fishermen to steer clear of wire lines.

How much is it possible to catch ?

There are many factors involved that will effect the amount of fish that can be caught using diveboards.

No fishing method can catch fish that are not there in the first place, and when present the catch rate will depend upon the skill and technique of the fishermen and then how hungry the fish are.

The grounds our own boat fishes are intensively fished for much of the year by commercial, charter and pleasure boats.
It is usual to have to steer between nets and pots as the board is fished.

On our first outing with the Yo-Zuri K-13 we caught 70kg of Pollack, with many lessons leant.
On the second day the catch went up to 130kg. Since then we have seen many days or half day sessions resulting in catches in excess of 100kg.

How far apart should the lures be rigged ?

Things can vary according to location or personal preference, however we usually rig our lures 1m apart so that it is easier to lift strings of fish aboard the boat and so that a hooked fish does not mask empty hooks either side on the line.

If you have any questions or queries regarding lure spacing on boards ordered pre-rigged then get in touch when placing your order.

How many lures should I use ?

More lures does not mean more fish. We advise our customers to start with 5 or 6 hooks and only increase that number if string full of fish are being caught.

Adding hooks to the line will increase drag and reduce the effective working depth of the dive board.

What are the best lures to use with the diveboard ?

When fishing for Pollack, "Fairwater Gummimakk" are the best lure to use as they are very effective and the most cost effective.

Our Gummimakk are tried, tested and proven at catching Pollack consistently.

We recommend the size 10/0 as standard although we frequently use the size 12/0 at the tail end of the hook set to help minimise captures of small fish.

Do not be scared of using big hooks and heavy line. The fish certainly are not.

Are other diveboards available ?

Yes indeed - there are many cheap copies that are commercially available.
Although these do work of a fashion, they are nearly always a very poor second to the original Yo-Zuri diveboards.
They should be avoided.

 What's the future?

This year we will be conducting trials with a revolutionary type of diveboard that we have managed to research and source from overseas.

We are hoping to achieve much greater effective working depths with this brand new style of board which is hope will open up a vast array of potential new working grounds for diveboard fishermen.

If trials prove successful we hope to be adding these new boards to our range soon.
Watch this space for further news.