Trolling Snaps??

[jrstables]

Has anyone used these/recommend these to secure their line to their downrigger cable?? If not what do you recommend? Thanks in advance.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

On Lake Ontario, I've used Blacks for many years and see no reason to change. A lot of guys use the pinch pad styles, but Blacks have never given me any problem. Put them in line with the cable or thread the cable through them with a crimp in the middle. Keep all releases above you weight or the lure line will steer you weight into tangles.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

You need one you can easily adjust the tension with with cold fingers. The ones I've used, you need different tensions for different depths. Also, I think after awhile some of them tend to losen during the day and need readjusted. First set I bought were real cheapies and they worked great for 3 years, lost one, couldn't find them, so bought an expensive one from cabella's. I'ts hard to get adjusted properly so the line doesn't pop out when just trolling, and so It will come out if a fish bites. Can't adjust easy, and won't stay. A friend gave me one, same brand and it worked perfect for perfect a few months and same thing. Need a screwdriver to adjust too. I'm going to try a different one this year, wished I could find the cheapie ones that came with the cannon downrigger again.

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

Here is a link to a method I learned in the West Indies using rubber bands. I use nothing else now.


http://www.ehow.com/how_4780160_use-rubber-bands-downriggers.html

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

I use a snap swivel to attach the rubber band to the downrigger line. The snap swivel travels down the wire to desired depth. After a strike and release, I can simply rig up another without retrieving my rigger weight. When I'm done for the day the snaps are at the end of the rigger line.

Good Luck!

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

I fish alot of different depths and presentations, I like Chamberlains for most use, 11" blades down deep gets Blacks release.

 

[ralphl]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

I dont get the rubber band rig. Is the rubber band supposed to break when a fish hits?? I didnt exactly ride the short yellow bus but I dont see it.

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

I dont get the rubber band rig. Is the rubber band supposed to break when a fish hits?? I didnt exactly ride the short yellow bus but I dont see it.

Yes, the band breaks. I have used all kinds of release clips on outriggers and downriggers and this method works the best I have ever seen.

 

[ralphl]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

is the swivel tied to the wire? How does it travel down the wire and what stops it.? wish I had a sketch. Just bought my first downrigger and am trying to get a handle on the rigging.

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

Hi ralphl.....no worries, took me awhile to grasp it too. I'll try to explain.

Deploy your downrigger weight to your desired depth. Say you want your bait to swim 20' behind the weight. I let out 20' of line. I take my rubberband and strech it with 2 fingers, I wrap the band around my line 4 times. I still have 2 loops of the band on my fingers. I bring those 2 loops together and run a snap swivel thru them. Now I have a rubberband wrapped around my line with a snap securing both ends of the band. I then take the snap and attatch it to my rigger line. I place my rod in a holder and let out my line to desired depth. The snap travels down the rigger line. When a fish strikes it breaks the rubberband allowing the snap to travel to the rigger weight.

To rerig, I leave the rigger weight as is, I simply attach another rubberband and snap and drop her back down. This method eliminates the need to retrieve my weight after each strike.

Hopefully at the end of the day you have a few dozen snaps attached to the end of your rigger weight.

If needed I can take some photos later for you.

 

[ralphl]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

gotcha!!! so you just let the swivel travel down the wire on its own to the rigger weight or----- to a lead bb style sinker clamped however high above the weight you want your line to run out... Could you clamp the sinker about 2 feet above the heavy ball and run a flasher behind the ball?? Now I'm on the hunt for some real skinny rubber bands, early season Kokanee are not very big. Thanks, if your ever near the CO..NM border pm me and I will return the favor with some great fishing..

 

[jrstables]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

Thanks again for the info! I think I have a game plan now!

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

gotcha!!! so you just let the swivel travel down the wire on its own to the rigger weight or----- to a lead bb style sinker clamped however high above the weight you want your line to run out... Could you clamp the sinker about 2 feet above the heavy ball and run a flasher behind the ball?? Now I'm on the hunt for some real skinny rubber bands, early season Kokanee are not very big. Thanks, if your ever near the CO..NM border pm me and I will return the favor with some great fishing..

You got it! You don't have to let the swivel travel all the way to the rigger weight, matter of fact you don't want to. You can have your weight down 100' and your line at 50'. Your idea of a sinker attached to your rigger line just above the ball is a very good idea. I'll use that method. You just payed me back!

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

Thanks again for the info! I think I have a game plan now!

Happy Fishing!......jrstables

 

[ralphl]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

Hi again Sasto. wondered where your getting your bands. Just tried breaking the smallest ones I could find and it took enough oomph to set the hook in a Mako. Way too much for Koke but probably ok for Mack. Guess you would really be in a jackpot if you had a fish on and the band didnt break. What do you do????

 

[sasto]

Re: Trolling Snaps??

Hi again Sasto. wondered where your getting your bands. Just tried breaking the smallest ones I could find and it took enough oomph to set the hook in a Mako. Way too much for Koke but probably ok for Mack. Guess you would really be in a jackpot if you had a fish on and the band didnt break. What do you do????

Look online for downrigger rubberbands where I have found guides as to what size band would be ideal for my target fish. My guess is you need size #18. Personally I have never had a band not break, so that would be a tough question for me to answer. Once the band is twisted around the fishing line they should break fairly easy.

Good Luck!