Listen to these guys when they shout out the hot colors of ATOMIK flies. They truly are a great product. Last year was my first year running 4 wires, and by the end of the day every single one took a hit for the most part. Listening to the guys on the radio about how much wire is out when they are taking shots is important, but each set-up is different.
For example wire line diameter varies. A lot of guys will run Malin or Mason wire. I run American fishing wire and it is a thinner diameter than the two I mentioned above. You also have to take into consideration the pound test of their wire. I would say the swing is generally between 20-40lb wire dependent upon the boat with 30lb being the most popular. There are MANY times when guys are taking shots up at 100-130' of wire and mine wont go till I pump them out more or reel some line in. It really is a touchy feely kind of thing. You need to find the depth that is working for your boat. Each boat glides through he water differently and affects the tracking of its gear in the water. You ask how? I don't know, but why is it when two boats are running an identical pattern one is cleaning house? I think it is all about how that boat is riding or cutting through the water.
NEXT, leader lengths. I am one of the guys who likes them to be long enough where it makes it difficult to net fish . Seriously, I usually use a 10' leader behind the dipsey and I don't run a snubber AT ALL when I'm running wires.
Dispsey color seems to matter too. The basics would be black and clear. But you will rarely ever see my boat with less than 2 purple metallic dipseys in the water. No matter if I am on the east or west end of the lake.
I rarely run the dipsey on a 3 when I'm fishing over 50' of water. Usually its a 1 or 2 setting.