Small boat downrigger help
Dec 13, 2019 18:27:10 #
I have a 12' aluminum boat and am finding that not having downriggers is really holding me back on catching some good kokanee and lake trout.
Does anyone have experience putting in downriggers in a small boat like this? It seems like there's no easy way to do it. Any ideas would be helpful, thanks!
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by Lahontan_Cutthroat
Does anyone have experience putting in downriggers in a small boat like this? It seems like there's no easy way to do it. Any ideas would be helpful, thanks!
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by Lahontan_Cutthroat
Dec 13, 2019 18:27:22 #
I've used a clamp on cannon downrigger and my experience was this: The 4 pound cannon ball it came with is too light and the ammount of line was too little. It had roughly 80' of line on it but lakers for me are out in 120+' in summer months. I think I could fit enough line on it but I got it just ahead of my trip and ran with it. In hindsight i think the big jon downriggers are a far superior product.
How deep are you fishing? A lot of times I find using dipsy divers or some of the salmon targeted divers are easier to deal with than a downrigger especially if you're fishing in heavy waves or cold water.
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by JavierR_Montego
How deep are you fishing? A lot of times I find using dipsy divers or some of the salmon targeted divers are easier to deal with than a downrigger especially if you're fishing in heavy waves or cold water.
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by JavierR_Montego
Dec 13, 2019 18:27:27 #
Thank you. The most I would want to drop down is 100'. Most of the time I would probably be in the 40-75ft range.
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by Lahontan_Cutthroat
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by Lahontan_Cutthroat
Dec 13, 2019 19:35:46 #
I have two Scotty's . They are in the med size and I think they have about 150' of cable. They have about an 18" boom, maybe 2', IDK. I mounted them on my scanoe and fish the lakes in the Lake Tahoe area, including Tahoe. I use a 7# downrigger weight and it works pretty good. I've never fished below 80' with them, though I'm sure you could. I mounted the base plate on a 2x6 that I mounted on the cross bar of the scanoe. With my fish finder, downriggers and little 2 to 3 HP 4 stroke motor it is one sweet little fishin machine.
Dec 13, 2019 20:26:30 #
I have a fairly small boat 22 ft.. We put 4 rods out, the two back ones go to clothes pins
that are as wide as the boat. The two front ones go straight back. We fish salt water
so we really don't go real deep with this rig.
Zeke
that are as wide as the boat. The two front ones go straight back. We fish salt water
so we really don't go real deep with this rig.
Zeke
Dec 13, 2019 20:43:45 #
It takes experimenting and good luck with it. I have a trophy and a mini downrigger that I'm going to mount on stern of nearby. Hope I can get a better one later on. Ill be positive.
Dec 14, 2019 13:39:36 #
The easiest way is to invest in a depth thermometer . If you don’t already know the temp range these fish prefer you should get that info first !
Then you will know how deep you need to place lures , via DR , LC !
The small DR ‘s , like clamp on models would work for a small boat like yours .
However it’s important to get temps , do your fishing where they live
Then you will know how deep you need to place lures , via DR , LC !
The small DR ‘s , like clamp on models would work for a small boat like yours .
However it’s important to get temps , do your fishing where they live
Dec 14, 2019 17:41:54 #
stuco
Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City
I have a couple of the Cannon clamp on minis. I think they come with 150 feet of cable. I’m usually only fishing 30 -50 feet, but they work good on my 15’ aluminum boat.
Dec 14, 2019 18:46:11 #
Grandpa Knows How
Loc: Bahia De Los angeles, Mexico
I catch lots of Walleyes at those depths using Deep Diving Rapala’s. Use the largest ones on light mono, braid with fluorocarbon leader is better for getting deeper. I long line it. I promise fish to anyone who visits us.
Dec 14, 2019 19:00:25 #
Hey Grandpa, those fish don't look like they were caught anywhere in Cal. Nice fish no matter where they were caught. You don't look anything like my Grandpa either.
Dec 14, 2019 19:10:57 #
Grandpa Knows How
Loc: Bahia De Los angeles, Mexico
I have a home on a lake in Northern Minnesota that I grew up on with my grandfather teaching me. Now after 70 years on the lake, I’m teaching my granddaughters the joy of fishing. My oldest has out fished me this past summer, so I guess I succeeded.
Dec 14, 2019 19:12:23 #
stuco
Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City
Yeah Grandpa, those are way nice! I only dream about catching fish like those.
Dec 14, 2019 19:17:21 #
Grandpa Knows How
Loc: Bahia De Los angeles, Mexico
Granddaughter out fished me last year. These are from just a 1 hr trip.
Dec 14, 2019 19:23:02 #
stuco
Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City
Granddaughter has a great teacher, and some amazing memories that will be with her forever.
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