Do I need downriggers?

[PAkev]

I've started fishing some lakes in upstate NY with notable populations of lake trout. Most of the folks catching these lakers are using downriggers which drop a line 50-75 feet. I'm really not keen on adding more bling bling to my boat that takes up real estate while I am doing other types of fishing. I was thinking of getting something fairly simple together for when I need to take a break from my normal casting routine. I'm wondering if I can use a heavy trolling rod with a line counter to take a 3-5 lb ball down to 75ft and run a release off it similar to a conventional downrigger set up?

Helpful advice appreciated

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Do I need downriggers?


Sounds like you want to use a heavy rod to take the place of a downrigger. Keep in mind the stretch of the line and bend in the rod will not produce the same results as a steel cable and metal boom of a downrigger. You might want to try some of the low cost downriggers to get started. They make alot of portable ones you could temp. hook up . Thats how I started . I've worked my way up to a motorized one. It's a simple plug in with a quick release to remove it. Boats and fishing are all about the blingdd

 

[rolmops]

Re: Do I need downriggers?

Most of my fresh water fishing is done in the Fingerlakes,which is probably what you are referring to. The thermocline in these lakes changes from non-existent in April/May,to about 110 feet down in August/September.
I some times use a Seth Green meat pole setup,which is a heavy main line with about 2 pounds of lead on its bottom.Off this line I run leaders of about 20 foot length at 25 foot depth intervals,thereby covering all depths and quickly finding where the action is.
Another system I use is more advanced.Using a good fish finder,I find the depth that the lakers are at and I use leadcore line with a fluoro carbon leader while trolling at about 1.6 mph.
This works great with live fresh water shad as bait.Just set your slip real loose.This works great anywhere between 70 and 110 feet.
My biggest fish are caught at 140 + feet using 300 feet of lead core line.
Trolling at 1.6 mph you spot the fish deep down there.The moment you see them on your fish finder,you cut the engine and allow the shad to flutter down.These guys are not usually fished for and I never caught one that weighed less than 12 pounds using this system.
All of this without down riggers.
If you prefer spoons,you should use down riggers combined with a good fishfinder.

 

[teamADR]

Re: Do I need downriggers?

cannon and little scotty makes a nice portable unit. I am buying the cannon it looks alittle nicer the the scotty. I plan on using for a big macinaw tourniment they have every spring in oregon. I only have use for a down rigger only a few times a year so portable sounds good to me. the portable cannon runs about $60. and the litlle scotty $40. and the local stores here in oregon

 

[PAkev]

Re: Do I need downriggers?



Thanks for the info rolmop. It sounds like you are using the concept I am referring to.
I fish Lakes Senica, Cayuga, and Ontario for smallies and walleye. Other than running planer boards, I don't have a lot of experience trolling and specifically downrigger trolling.

Just curious what you mean by a meatpole? Also when you say you are running xx feet of leaders is this off a release from the main weighted line? What pound flourocarbon line are you using as a leader off the leadcore? I would presume without downriggers you aren't using dodgers or flashers.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Do I need downriggers?

A meat pole is a heavy duty rod with a 50 or 60 pound main line (sometimes copper) and every 25 feet a leader of about 20 feet length is connected with a swivel.This way you cover the entire water column.The browns are high,the rainbows/steelhead a bit deeper and the lakers are in the basement.With this setup you target them all at the same time.
On lead core line I do not use any hardware except for a a double hook setup.One small hook to use for towing the live bait and the other bigger one (sometimes a treble)set in the bait's back to hook the fish.
This year I may try some "car parts" flashers to attract more fish.
My fluoro carbon line is about 20 feet of 17 pound test.