Fishing

Picked up these downriggers this weekend and am looking for some advice for installing, weights and releases as well as any other helpfull advice.
Thanks
Michael
Twin Falls, Idaho

Keep looking to the East
He will be coming in the clouds.

I have 2 Easi-trolls on my boat. Not knowing what you will be targeting I use mine soley for Kokanee, Coho and trout.

I prefer using the Scotty power grab releases with the cable release clip and 8 lb keel wieghts.

I am not a fan of doubling up on one downrigger but many are. Too many clusters with the fast action of Kokanee coupled with my own impatience makes for a bad day.

I have found with the above set up I can troll as fast 2.5 mph dragging a full set of pop gear with out pulling the gear from the clips.

Of course, when I can I prefer to attach the pop gear to the keel wieght and only use the Rod line for things like wedding rings, hoochies or whatever I am fishing with.

Michael,
I would look for a weight with a fin, or keel. The round ones w/o a keel can twist the cable, and are more of a problem when setting your gear. The vinyl-coated ones are nice in that they don't mark boats, etc. I have green ones in the thought that they might attract coho when I am ocean fishing. I used to use the Cannon releases, but have found that the Scotty or Off-Shore releases are much nicer. I recently saw a report that mentioned that fishing guides almost always use one of the above-mentioned clips. Also, stay away from the goofy-shaped balls. They have more drag than the ball with a keel. Get ready for better fishing!! Mike

Thanks guys
Should I mount them on the back transome corners or what do you think of the c-clamps style?
Michael
Twin Falls, Idaho

Keep looking to the East
He will be coming in the clouds.

Why do you use a 8# weight? and not the 4 or 6#.

Is it because you want to get down quicker or will the heavier hold the depth better?
Michael
Twin Falls, Idaho

Keep looking to the East
He will be coming in the clouds.

The lighter the weight the less depth control you have as the weight 'blows back' from straight down. That means you have to figure the angle and amount of cable out to know what depth you are actually fishing at.

The 8 lb weight gives you a true depth. As stated above anything lighter and it is now trailing at an angle and instead if fishing 20 feet down you are at 15.

I would not use clamp mounts. I use the permanent mounts that allow you to slide the down rigger in and out for use.

I have one on the transom slightly to the starboard side, and one mounted on the port side.

I may add one in the future to the starboard side.