Freshwater downriggers or divers?

[marty_scher]

Money burning a hole + spring fever is a great combo!!<br /><br />I will be fishing mountain lakes (usually fishing deep)and maybe lake Powell (shallow or deep). <br /><br />Downriggers are a lot of coin, but does anyone get good freshwater results with divers and/or planers?<br /><br />Unfortunately, fishing time is limited, so I'm looking for best results.<br /><br />What types of rigs do you use.<br /><br />Thanks everybody.

 

[Jerry M.]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Marty, I had the same thoughts, so a few weeks ago I got one of the divers ($10)thinking to save money. It works fine except for knowing the depth your at very accurately. After using it several times, I hooked the bottom trolling in about 80 ft of water and lost my lure breaking it loose. I still think it works well, but will restrict my usage unless the fish are off the bottom. This time of year the finder shows all the fish on the bottom. On the other hand, I've asked for a downrigger for my birthday in March.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[marty_scher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

I hear ya Jerry,<br /><br />Depending on the diver, you have to accurately match rod line out, boat speed and diver settings to get where you want. <br /><br />It's even tougher if you are trying to fish toward bottom where the depth changes regularly.<br /><br />What model did you put on your birthday wish list?

 

[Jerry M.]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Probably a Canon. Don't know that much about downriggers, but as long as it has a depth gauge I guess I'll be happy.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

I use Big John down riggers. I have used Scotty<br />down riggers, but prefer the way big john down riggers are retrieved."Wound like a level wind <br />instead of the handle turned on its side". I have<br />rebuilt mine last year after more than 15 years<br />of excellent service, just ordered a bearing kit<br />for $38.00.Brand new again. If your prey is deep<br />the best way to reach them is with a down rigger <br />that way you can control your depth and your <br />presentation. If your fishing is limited and <br />equipment is not warranted, then the best way to<br />get deep with out downriggin, would be either deep divers or pink lady,or better yet lead line to take your lure down close to were it needs to be.planers are best left for surface fishing

 

[dmorley]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

I found the downrigger way superior to diving planes fishing for striper at both Lake Power and Lake Mead. However, when fishing the pacific ocean for salmon using the required barbless hooks I found the diving planes to be superior. I got lots of hits on the downrigger, but just could not keep them on.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

I think I'll be going for a couple of electric Scotty's.<br /><br />Cabelas is having a Spend, er, Spring Expo this weekend, so a road trip is in order.<br /><br />I hope to try them in Lale Powell later this month.<br /><br />Thanks, everybody.

 

[dmorley]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Marty,<br />I've fished Lake Powell the last week in March (Bullfrog area). It was pretty slow.

 

[gss036]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

If you have time to wait on shipping, give these guys a try, since they are in Canada, you can save big bucks with the exchange rate and the Scotty Downriggers are priced lower up there. I have two Scotty electrics and would not have anything else. They are the fastest retrieval speed on the market by far.The good thing is that they carry a lifetime warranty and if you find an authorized repair shop, send by mail, they will fix for nothing if something should go bad. John's Sporting Goods in Everett, Wa is a repair center for the Northwest.<br /> http://gonefishinshop.com/

 

[Boatist]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

I would go with Scotty Electric downrigger. The plains work ok in Pacific ocean out of Bodega Bay in the fog but when the sun comes out just can not get deep enough to work good.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Scotty is the preferred down rigger here on the<br />west coast. They are made in Victoria on <br />Vancouver Island.I just prefer metal parts to<br />plastic. Cannon down riggers are mostly plastic<br />as well. Bigjon is made in the U.S. and I also prefer the way they operate, and all the metal<br />parts. They retrieve easyer and are less work to<br />wind up when using heavy balls of 10 to 13lbs.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

NOSLEEP,<br /><br />Were my eyes deceiving me on the BC sales tax? Ouch <br /><br />You guy's need a (Boston)tea party <br /><br />The gonefishingshop looks like a nice fishing shop though and the prices are good.<br /><br />Marty

 

[martyscher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

gss036<br /><br />How easy are the Scotty's to work on the aft starboard?<br /><br />Do you have to reach around to the back of the downrigger for the clutch release, or is it movable for easier access?<br /><br />My Lowe Angler has gunwale rod storage compartments, so I Will have to mount the downriggers pretty far aft and hope to avoid contortions to get to them.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[horndog]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Dipseys you need to learn the dive curve of them. The more line you let out, the deeper they will dive. Downriggers, just set them and go.<br /><br />Dipseys are much, much cheaper than downriggers at $10/ea versus $250+ for a downrigger. <br /><br />Out here on Lake Michigan you could use either. A common setup in the spring for coho is a dipsey with a dodger and a horsefly(thats what they are called) or Howie Fly.<br /><br />Planers are to keep the lure near the surface, they will dive a bit, but will keep it up.<br /><br />If you are marking fish at different depth levels, then you should run both dipseys(or riggers) and planers

 

[marty_scher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

The Cabelas store in Sidney has a good selection of downriggers - if you like Cannon. They have NO other brands in this store.<br /><br />Very disappointed in their "Spring Expo". Even the Scotty rep did not show (not surprised if they don't showroom stock Scotty products).<br /><br />Their loss - I'm calling the gonfishing store in BC this week.

 

[gss036]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Marty, sorry not to get back to you sooner. I have used at least 3 different models of Scotty and find that they work great from any location. Make sure you get the swivel base, makes storing on the boat much simpler. The whole thing tips up for easy access for connecting and retreiving the release. <br />Did you contact the store yet? If you look on the store page, they have a currency converter so you know what you are paying in American.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Hi Gary<br /><br />One more reason to love Canada!<br /><br />I ordered 2 1101 Power Paks. Great price, no tax.<br />Just wish they had on-line order tracking.<br /><br />I'm checking to see if they mail-order downrigger accesories (weights, releases, etc).<br /><br />Thanks for the tip.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Freshwater downriggers or divers?

Hi Gary<br /><br />One more reason to love Canada!<br /><br />I ordered 2 1101 Power Paks. Great price, no tax.<br />Just wish they had on-line order tracking.<br /><br />I'm checking to see if they mail-order downrigger accesories (weights, releases, etc).<br /><br />Thanks for the tip.