How far can Coots and Tufted ducks dive?

Tufted ducks are the black and white ones, right?
Havent had problems with them recently but have before and swan topic got me thinking about it. How far can they dive so i can have an idea of how deep water i need to fish in for my bait to be safe?

all the way to the bottom. Your bait will not be safe anywhere lol.

Yes the black and white ones are tufties and if they find your bait your in trouble especially fishing at range, same with Coots. Seen them diving for food in around 25 foot of water before, not for bait but coming up with weed in their mouths.

Used to pre-bait a lake a few years back with a few of them on the lake and they were nothing but trouble mate. They learned the time in the evening i was baiting up and ended up being there waiting for me. About 12 foot i was baiting in and they were still diving and coming up with bait. <!-- s:evil: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_evil.gif" alt="" title="Evil or Very Mad" /><!-- s:evil: -->

Have had Coots causing me trouble before but not recently and dont really see many tufted ducks except during the winter months. Think alot of them may migrate when it warms up.
Deepest i have had trouble with them is 7 foot and they wouldnt leave my boilies alone. Even firing boilies at them to scare them doesnt work, they swim off then turn round, dive and come up with a boilie!!

Anyone know a way to scare them away from my baited spot?

[i:3u6emg7b]Anyone know a way to scare them away from my baited spot?[/i:3u6emg7b]

You cant unfortunatly.

What about spodding my boilies out? Scared the Swan the other day for you gav so may give it a go next time to scare the little buggers.

Worth a go but think once they know theres some bait there they will just keep coming back even if you do scare them, plus your disturbing the swim alot which may spook the carp. When i did it to the swan the other day it was a very long way from where i was actually fishing to make sure the swam didnt get near my swim and i had the lake to myself at the time.

Think best bet would be to try and get you bait in when they are not too near your swim and hopefully dont see or hear you doing it.