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DIY Downrigger Weights
Dec 19, 2019 00:10:18   #
Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR
 
Hey all,
After losing a few Downrigger weights over the years and paying upwards of $50 for a 10 lb chunk of lead shaped like a fish. I bought a 10 lb ball mold and decided to melt lead myself. After doing this once, I realized it wasn't for me! I've allready had cancer once and that's plenty! So I came up with a different solution.
Have used these now for 3 seasons Kokanee fishing. They work great and because of the cylindrical shape they move through the water nicely (no blow back). I buy cpvc pipe, caps, glue and eye screws at Lowe's. Than head to sportsman warehouse and buy a 25 lb bag of lead birdshot. This will make three 8 lbers or two tens and a five or whatever combo you want. Total cost around $45 for 25 lbs of weight. Your thoughts?





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Dec 19, 2019 06:56:10   #
bucky buckner Loc: murrells inlet SC
 
so they hang strait up and down, and no problem with spinning, great idea.

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Dec 19, 2019 09:36:14   #
audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD
 
Now that's a really good idea. I wondered how the down riggers worked. Thought maybe they had a clamp for the line or something and could not figure it out. Thanks for the knowledge.

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Dec 19, 2019 09:37:59   #
Capt Lou
 
Kinda big for my liking but if they work no issue !

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Dec 19, 2019 09:39:06   #
Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina
 
I got lots of lead and still like making my own. Lost my mold. Want to sell yours those look different. They work ok

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Dec 19, 2019 09:39:07   #
Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina
 
I got lots of lead and still like making my own. Lost my mold. Want to sell yours those look different. They work ok

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Dec 19, 2019 10:58:55   #
Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR
 
Here is an alternative:
https://www.bottomlinetackle.com/downriggerweight.html

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Dec 20, 2019 09:39:02   #
Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina
 
Bdubya06 wrote:


Thanks for the lesson. I've only seen round weights before. I now understand how you got the idea on the ones you made. Good job.

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Dec 20, 2019 10:50:12   #
Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR
 
Yes had purchased them before 10 lbrs. @ $40 each. Lost one to some bad cable first use! Had to figure out how to save some $$!

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Dec 21, 2019 05:19:44   #
Salty Dog Loc: Punta Gorda, Florida
 
Bdubya06 wrote:
Yes had purchased them before 10 lbrs. @ $40 each. Lost one to some bad cable first use! Had to figure out how to save some $$!


You can also just fill them with concrete to eliminate the use and cost of lead. You will still be able to pre determine the weight you want as well by weighing the amount of concrete mix you will pour.
This is how we make "sinkers" for deep water fishing. We pour concrete in coffee cans, soup cans, etc (something that will degrade/rust away), put a cheap eye bolt in the top and let it set up. Use a line release on the eye bolt so no need to reel it up with a caught fish. Works really great for Tilefish and other very deep water types. Cheers

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Dec 21, 2019 16:47:52   #
Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR
 
Yes you can. However, concrete is lighter than lead. So you will need a bigger container. The bigger the container, the more blowback while trolling. Blowback will allow your downrigger cables to get hung or cut by your trolling motor prop.

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Dec 21, 2019 16:50:19   #
Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR
 
But, sounds like you are still fishing not trolling.
So yeah at that rate anything will work.

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Jan 14, 2022 11:11:35   #
Pickupman
 
What are the sizes of the pipe?
Thanks.

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