Down riggers and rigging

[fishnab]

Upgraded my boat this year and would like to try some down rigging for Lakers. Thinking Spray or Minniwonka later.

I did a search here and didn't find a lot of info so am polling the experienced fishermen here. Cheked the Scotty's site, got some info.

I have 2 manual Scotty's and am wondering what weight should be used?
Is 5-8 lbs enough for inland waters in Alberta?
How about the type of quick releases used?
Do you run off the ball or up the line?

Your insite would be appreciated.

[ak-71]

Originally Posted by fishnab

Upgraded my boat this year and would like to try some down rigging for Lakers. Thinking Spray or Minniwonka later.

I did a search here and didn't find a lot of info so am polling the experienced fishermen here. Cheked the Scotty's site, got some info.

I have 2 manual Scotty's and am wondering what weight should be used?
Is 5-8 lbs enough for inland waters in Alberta?
How about the type of quick releases used?
Do you run off the ball or up the line?

Your insite would be appreciated.

It's off topic, but I spent a day trolling Spray with DipsyDiver and different lures last Saturday. Marked fish, but had no takers, then cought 3 jigging - switched to trolling right away and had no bites again.
So I think downrigger on Spray may be an overkill.
(I was just testing if I can troll on my inflatable)

[Gordoats26]

I would go with 10 or even 12 pound weight but minimum 8 the heavier the weight the less blow back . I do both hook to line or to the ball its personal preferance.

[dekker59]

Interesting, was there a few days ago trolling with the 3-way method and we did awesome. But they seemed stacked up in certain spots, we were catching 1-2 on pretty much every pass.

Originally Posted by ak-71

It's off topic, but I spent a day trolling Spray with DipsyDiver and different lures last Saturday. Marked fish, but had no takers, then cought 3 jigging - switched to trolling right away and had no bites again.
So I think downrigger on Spray may be an overkill.
(I was just testing if I can troll on my inflatable)

[cube]

[QUOTE=fishnab;1992917][LEFT]Upgraded my boat this year and would like to try some down rigging for Lakers. Thinking Spray or Minniwonka later.

For what it's worth I would get
http://www.basspro.com/ProTroll-Down...product/89220/
It is only $14.00 and will cover the basics well.

I use 10 pound fish shaped weights (only because I could not get 12 lbers here)

With less blow back it's easier to track with your sonar and less chance of getting your cable caught in your prop.


As for releases I use a Walker bobbin type and Scotty clip types. One off the cannon ball the other off the cable. As you can see it does not really matter. I would however get some ones that come off the cable for sure. That way if you want you can easily put more than one rod on the same downrigger.

All this being said most configurations will work, that is to say, if I had 8 lb cannon balls I would not run out to change them, they will work fine same for most clips etc etc. (though I do hate the Walker Clips)

Good Luck to you

[fishnab]

Thanks for the information everyone. Need to go through all the parts and pieces I was given or picked up. I know there is Scotty clips and some of the Bobbin style as well.

[EZM]

Use the smaller releases for kokanee and trout - they pull out of the release nicely when using braid.

Remember to add a few feet as you get some blow back - if you are marking fish at, say, 50 feet and you are using a 10lb ball at 2 mph - let out 15 feet or so extra cable.

[bobalong]

I have used an 8 lb. from 40 ft down to 120 and can still track the ball, trolling about 1 1/2mph. I usually clip off the ball but use about a 36-48" snell from the ball to the Scotty clip. I only have one downrigger so I have run one off the ball and another one above as well.

[Steelhead008]

For smaller/lighter takes i like to use elastic bands as a release,

[cube]

Originally Posted by Steelhead008

For smaller/lighter takes i like to use elastic bands as a release,

How do you rig your elastic bands? What size of elastics do you use? I tried this last year and the elastics would not release. I bought the smallest elastics I could find and even left them is the sun to weaken them like they suggest but they simply did not release.

[rocketron]

Once you get your depth and your line set, clip a snap swivel to your main line with 5 feet of line and your second favorite lure and toss it in, it will slide down to the bow in the line @ half way down, you can fish two levels at the same time this way. If a fish grabs the upper lure, it will trigger the release and slide down to the bottom lure and stop, all thats left to do is land the fish!

[cube]

Originally Posted by rocketron

Once you get your depth and your line set, clip a snap swivel to your main line with 5 feet of line and your second favorite lure and toss it in, it will slide down to the bow in the line @ half way down, you can fish two levels at the same time this way. If a fish grabs the upper lure, it will trigger the release and slide down to the bottom lure and stop, all thats left to do is land the fish!

I had heard from a guy with a camer on his down rigger that those don't stay at the bulge but instead work there way to the botom unless you peg it. It that true?

[rocketron]

Maybe thats why they call them sliders? Cant say as ive ever had that problem, lots of times fishing for salmon in great lakes, we would hook rainbows on the slider hook.