Transom mounted downriggers?

[rount5]

I'm starting to troll with my 14ft inflatable and been thinking about getting a couple downriggers to mount on the transom. The transom is not very wide and was wondering how far apart should the downriggers be? Also, the transom is on an angle(are they all like that?) and was wondering if that would be a problem. I've been looking at the Cannon Mini-troll and Scotty Laketroller since the have the proper mounting brackets already. Can I mount just about any downrigger on my transom with extra mounts? Or am I limited to these. Any opinions on which you prefer, a horizontal wheel or vertical wheel?<br /><br />Thanks!!!

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

The scotty lake troller is a good pick, plenty<br />light enough. I mounted a lake troll on my little<br />zodiac 10'6" but I mounted it on the wooden seat <br />on the other side from were I sit, using the<br />Scotty rod mount. I also lengthened the arm on the<br />lake troll with a piece of round stock to take the<br />arm out past the pontoon.

 

[jheron]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

I have an old 10' Zodiac and I use the scotty 1050 Depthmaster I clamp it on the back of the transome on the angle piece you speak of and it works great! I added an extra rod holder to the boom and use a stacker so the 2 of us can troll off the same ball.<br />Here is a beauty rainbow I caught out on lake huron a couple of weeks ago with the rig <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=29444&size=big&password=&sort=2&thecat=516 <br /><br />Here is a crappy pic of the rig before I added the other rod holder <br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=29446 <br /><br />Enjoy JON

 

[rount5]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

Cool! I was going to try and rig some mount backings to get around that angle, but sounds like you don't have any problems just mounting the downrigger on the angle. Do you have any pics of your rigger with both rod holders? That's why I was thinking about getting 2 riggers, but seems like I don't need to. Do you run into problems with the lines gettting all tangled with trolling to rods on one rigger? How does a stacker work?<br /><br />Thanks JON!!!

 

[jheron]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

Hi rount5,<br /> I dont have any pics with both rod holders mounted yet as I dont own a digital cam it might be a while I got the the spare holder from a local scotty dealer for $20 can and I had to drill a hole in the boom to except it, I angled it a little to the port side in order to keep the line away from the other one, its a tight fit but works good just the same and keeps the better half off my bak about having to hold her rod all the time As of yet I have had no major probs with tangles I keep the line on the stacker about 10' up from the main and only run a cheater on the main line although I dont think a cheater on the stacker would cause a problem I just havent got around to it yet <br /> Here is what the stacker I have looks like Snapper <br />look at item No. 1160 Snapper "Stacker" neer the bootom of the page it even shows a pic of it in action. All it realy is, is 2 snappers joind together with a piece of heavy mono I connect my mainline onto a snapper rite on the ball and lower it about 10' then you clip the stacker over the line and connect the short end to the SS down rigger line and the other to my girls line <br />I hope this helps... and by the way I love my little setup <br />regards Jon

 

[rount5]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

Will this work as well?<br /><br /> http://www.scotty.com/power_grip.htm <br /><br />#1171 and #1172<br /><br />I'm assuming the longer metal snap will just clamp onto the cable somehow. Is one style better than the other?

 

[Barlow]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

I don't mean to throw this topic into a tail spin but to aid in rigging use rubber bands instead of releases both off your DR balls and stackers/sliders.<br /><br />it's been my experience that the releases are real fickle and hard to adjust especially when you're changing baits constantly... going from a light trolling spoon to a heavier spoon or bait with more drag or resistance becomes a pain in the rear if you don't fiddle around with the the tension or even don't get the line set right in the rubber jaws. Too much tension with the line set too far back in the pads and you might have some bigger issues at hand .. lost fish, baits and such. On the other hand set too light and you're getting false trips, poor hook-ups on fish and the added pain of foolin' around with 'em more. Running rough water will also challange your patience as will speed fluctuations. <br /><br />for what it's worth .. just a few thoughts

 

[jheron]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

rount5 the snappers with the metal hook are to clip right on the eye on the back of the ball, you need 2 snappers for a stacker one to clip onto the rigger's SS(stainless steel) line to hold it at about 10' above the one clamped on at the ball. Your second line then clips into the other end of the stacker. So your first rod's line is attached to the snapper on the ball and your second line is attached to the stacker.<br /><br /><br />Hey Barlow thanks for the advice although I haven't had many problems with the snapper other than the odd false release I also don't have much experience in down rigging and am self taught. I am curious as to the rubber band technique you speak of please elaborate <br />regards Jon

 

[rount5]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

Looks like I purchased the wrong release then. My Scotty 1050 came with a release that I can see will just clip onto the finned ball I got. I'm still not sure what the release with the big metal clip is used for but I'm gonna return it and get one with a double release setup.<br /><br />I'm also very interested to hear more details on how to use rubber bands instead. I've never used a downrigger before but I'm starting to understand how it can test your patience with a poor setup.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

k guys ..it's going to take me some time to fully explain/illustrate so give me a little time have to gather some stuff and take some pics.

 

[jheron]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

Sounds good Barlow <br />rount5 you will need the one that clips onto the finned ball for your main line, for your second line you need the stacker.<br />regards Jon

 

[DJ]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

rount,<br /><br />One thing you may want to consider is that the weights will tend to hold your transom down as it tries to raise on a wave. Your inflatable won't sink but I think you'd rather stay dry.<br /><br />Have your considered mounting them amidships on a board anchored to the oar locks?<br /><br />I have done that on small tinneis. It made by transom freeboard much more comfortable.

 

[jheron]

Re: Transom mounted downriggers?

In my Zodiac the weight makes no noticable differance in rough seas or not, the flotaion tubes extent beond the transom in a zodiac. It would be alot better for keeping your eye on the rod if it was out in front though.<br />regards jheron