Isn't it a fishin sayin to always zig zag big wide sweeps when trolling. You'd think this would drop the rigs deeper than 30 when zaggin out of a zig????

Yeah - Zig Zagging would defintely drop it a bit but how much is the question. I wouldnt think it would be more than a foot or depending on the depth of the zag.

What works very nicely is to pull the motor out of gear for how many seconds you wish to drop the rigs, but the real bonus is when you put it back in gear and they shoot up this is usually when the strike will happen.

I use this method frequently while pulling lead core or for any trolling, this is especially effective while trolling shorter lines and you come to a drop off and they are sitting right on the slope. When you can about judge the distance of your lines, pull it out of gear and then hit it again and BAM!!!
For the faint of heart do not try this method.

I usually run them in a constant tight swerve or "juke". If i am moving, the wheel is turning. My thought is that it is making the baits constantly move up and down in the water column. Maybe Bill will pop back in, he is them man with Urigs.

Based on my experience today I think Brett is pretty close. I ran the U-rig out about 200ft on 130 lb braid and caught trees at around 30 feet. Came back looking like it had been through the trash compactor, but the 130 lb braid definitely gets the majority of your rig back.....