Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

[laurentide]

Greetings. I just got my first pair of manual downriggers installed, and I'd like to figure out how to get a couple more lures in the water without adding extra poles/lines. As I've never really done this type of fishing, I'll likely just start with one lure per rigger, but I'd like to know how sliders work. I've done a few google and iboats searches, and I understand the basic concept of sliders, but what I don't understand is this: When you get a fish on the top lead, it slides down to the release. From there, should it go all the way to the bottom lure? Should there be a stop before it can get there? Maybe it is just that simple, but I figured I'd ask in case I'm missing something.

BTW, I'll be using 14# Stren mono for everything to start out, so I won't have a separate bottom leader. Also, I'll just be using spoons for trout...nothing elaborate.

Thanks!

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

we use sliders attaching them to the wire with rubber bands, so that when the fish strikes, it breaks the rubber band and the line free's itself from the down rigger cable. This does require the extra rod you suggested you didn't want to use.

The other option is to just use one rod, set your down bait using the down rigger, then add a leader usually 10 feet or less with an additional bait. The leader is attached after the line is set by using a snap swivel on the other end if the leader and simply securing it to the set down rigger fishing line. When a fish hits the slider, it wont pop the rigger till it pulls the release. You wont have exact depths you want with the slider, but you will have two baits running off one down rigger. Hope you can see what I'm typing, it's much easier to show you.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

Greenbush, thanks. That makes sense, and I've been able to use the riggers a bunch since I posted this. I've been having some luck with the free slider method, and once I'm confident with that setup I may move on to stacking another rod and/or a rubber band fixed slider. I'm frequently on my own on the lake, and VT has a 2 rod per license rule with two hooks per rod, so with 2 riggers I'm already maxed out with the sliders.

Thanks again.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

Total shot in the dark here, but I've got an issue that I may as well post in this thread.

I've got a pair of old (1990) Big Jon CP manual downriggers. I got it in pieces from an ebay seller, no manual, so I put it together with what little mechanical common sense I have.

The first day I used them they were pretty much fine, but a little uneven when controlled free spooling out. They cranked up no problem. Now, maybe four uses and a week later, the crank, which is supposed to engage/disengage the clutch (five washers, the two clutch washers on the outside of the other three), tightens up the whole mechanism on the spindle so it won't retrieve the ball. The crank arm won't stop tightening, basically.

I'm going to call Big Jon tomorrow, but figured I'd post this here to see if anybody might know what I'm talking about. I think it may be the twin pads immediately adjacent to the crank arm that are worn out or something, or I'm missing those convex washers somewhere.

Many thanks if you have any idea what this issue could be. Cheers.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

Figured out the rigger issue: rx= belleville washers missing.

I've got one more downrigger related question that I'll throw out there: I've read a lot about saltwater trolling guys using planer boards off downriggers, and then using a big paper clip and rubber band as the release. You let the cable out (in this case to a diving planer), then just wrap your line with the band, then the other end of the rubber band to the clip, which you then attach to the cable, and the water pressure slides it down to the planer.

I'm just wondering if anyone has used this method for slow trolling in fresh water with a downrigger to a ball. I know the shuttle hawk does the same thing, but I love cheap DIY stuff when it works. I've got manual riggers that would be nice to just leave down most of time when trolling, but I'm not sure if you'd be able to get any tension on your rod this way.

At the end of the day, you would presumably just crank your ball up and remove all the paper clips. I'll probably give it a shot and report back.

 

[Teamster]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

How deep are you trying to fish???

You might be able to get buy with inline planner boards and snap weights,...

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

Teamster, lakers are down 90-150 feet right now. Too deep for cranking up after every release. I do have flatline rigs off the stern for suspended walleye, but I'd like to drag the bottom, too. I'm gonna try the clip thing, then maybe move on to the shuttle hawk if it doesn't work out. When I'm rich I'll get riggers with motors.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

I've got one more downrigger related question that I'll throw out there: I've read a lot about saltwater trolling guys using planer boards off downriggers, and then using a big paper clip and rubber band as the release. You let the cable out (in this case to a diving planer), then just wrap your line with the band, then the other end of the rubber band to the clip, which you then attach to the cable, and the water pressure slides it down to the planer.

I don't know of anyone using paper clips. Shower curtain hooks and rubber bands are the main stay of the homemade crowd. I keep hooks and bands on board for emergencies, but find release clips to be easier to use and more relaible since you can adjust the release pressure on the clip. You have to change the weight of the rubber band using the hook and band method

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

dingbat, cool, I'll grab some shower curtain rings and give it a go. That makes sense as there's way more resistance than a metal clip. I do have normal releases, but I'd be psyched if this worked out for me. Thanks.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

dingbat, cool, I'll grab some shower curtain rings and give it a go. That makes sense as there's way more resistance than a metal clip.

To be clear, we use the metal shower curtains hooks. I use #32 rubber bands but you'll need much smaller since we pull huge baits compared to freshwater guys.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

^^^Thanks! And yeah, I was thinking #16 bands. I should have a few days to try it out this coming week.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

In case anyone was wondering, the shower curtain rings are a no-go on a downrigger with a ball. The cable is just too vertical, unlike planer boards.

The rubber bands are awesome, though, in this case to a Black's release cranked all the way in. Thanks for all the tips, fellas.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

In case anyone was wondering, the shower curtain rings are a no-go on a downrigger with a ball. The cable is just too vertical, unlike planer boards.

It's not the orientation of the cable. You lack the weight / drag to pull it down.

I have the same issue draggin small baits off my planer boards. My planer board lines are 125' long and anything under 3 oz is an issue. Speeding up really helps getting them out. Try hanging a dipsey sinker on the curtain ring and see what happens

 

[laurentide]

Re: Downrigger sliders for the uninitiated

I'll give that a shot, dingbat. Makes sense now....