A trolling diver device includes a cylindrical body carried by a guide plate and a fin extending away from the cylindrical body for positioning a lure or bait at a predetermined depth. The diver is lowered and maintained at the predetermined depth while a fishing line connected to a boat pulls the diver through the water. A release arm is pivotally mounted to the guide plate and releasably movable between a locked and unlocked position for orienting the diver device in water so as to minimize drag while raising a hooked fish and the diver device toward the surface.
