The back of the boat looked like a porcupine with fishing rods jutting out in every direction. Strategically placed rod holders securely held a dozen trolling rods. The look on my face as I surveyed the back of the boat must have telegraphed my amazement.
The owner of the boat, reached for yet another rod and blurted out, "when you're trolling, you use as many lines as the law allows." The man behind Off Shore Tackle Company (one of the leading manufactures of trolling tackle and gear) and one of the nation's top walleye tournament sticks, Bruce DeShano is an expert troller. In the 30 something years he has been fishing professionally as a charter captain and tournament pro DeShano has caught literally thousands of trout, salmon, walleye and stripers. A high percentage of those fish have come on a unique piece of fishing gear known as downriggers.
DeShano knows that trolling is the quickest way to both locate and catch fish. He also knows that downriggers provide the ultimate in depth control fishing. Despite the growing popularity other trolling methods, downriggers remain one of DeShano's favorite ways to fish.
"Downriggers are normally associated with deep water fishing," says DeShano. "What many anglers don't realize is that downriggers are versatile enough to be used with most lure types and at all common fishing depths."
Outside of the Great Lakes where downriggers are a popular option for catching salmon and trout, few anglers have learned how to get the most from these depth control aids.
HOW DOWNRIGGERS WORK
Downriggers function by connecting a heavy weight (often called a canon ball) to a 200 pound test metal cable stored on a wheel. A unique device known as a line release is attached to the back of the canon ball. When setting lines the angler selects a favorite lure and lets it back the desired distance behind the boat. Next the line release is pinched open and the line placed between the rubber jaws of the release. The canon ball is then lowered over the side of the boat to the desired fishing depth. As the canon ball is lowered, line is allowed to play off the fishing reel.
Once the desired depth has been reached, the reel is engaged and the slack line reeled up until a strong bend is evident in the rod. At this point the rod is placed in a conveniently mounted holder and the waiting for a strike begins.
When a fish strikes, the rod tip darts and jabs from the struggling fish. The angler quickly removes the rod from the holder. Often the line is still securely held in the line release at this point. The angler trips the release with a sharp upwards snap of the rod tip and reels quickly to pick up any slack line. Once the line comes tight to the fish, the battle begins.
The process of rigging and fishing a downrigger takes less time to do than to explain. Anglers only need to know a few simple facts about downrigger fishing to get the most from this trolling technique.
ELECTRIC OR MANUAL?
Downriggers are produced in both manual and electric operated models. Choosing between these models is largely a matter of personal preference and cost.
It's hard to dispute the convenience of an electric downrigger, but manual riggers are just as effective at catching fish. A set of manual downriggers costs around $500.00. Electric models can cost twice as much as manuals depending on the brand, accessories and features.
HOW MANY RIGGERS DO I NEED?
Downriggers are normally sold and fished in pairs. The size of the boat determines how many riggers are practical.
A set of two downriggers is adequate for boats ranging from 16-20 feet in length. Larger boats provide a wider beam and more room to mount four or five downriggers.
If only two riggers are to be mounted, they should be positioned on the gunnel near the point where the splash well and cockpit come together. The rigger arm should face perpendicular to the gunnel to increase the outward trolling coverage.
When four riggers are to be mounted, two are positioned on the opposite gunnels and mounted perpendicular to the hull. The remaining two riggers are mounted on the transom or on top of the splash well and placed parallel to the hull pointing straight out the back of the boat. This configuration allows all four riggers to be fished without fear of tangling lines below the surface or the downrigger cable in the motor prop.
ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES
A downrigger is only as good as it's weakest link. In most cases the downrigger line release is the weak link. All sorts of things are used to attach the fishing line to the downrigger weight including rubber bands, alligator clips and other home-made solutions.
"It has always amazed me how anglers will spend hundreds of dollars to purchase quality downriggers, then insist on using a two cent rubber band as a line release," says DeShano. "The line release is the single accessory what makes or breaks how a downrigger functions. If the release tension is too light, the line will trip from the downrigger weight before the hook is set properly. If the release is too stubborn, the line may break or a hooked fish can be needlessly dragged."
DeShano recommends that anglers use line releases that feature an adjustable spring tension and rubber pinch pads that won't damage the fishing line. "Using adjustable line releases allows the angler to customize the ideal amount of tension required for the target species, trolling speed and line diameter used," explains DeShano.
Downrigger weights are another essential accessory item. Sold in all kinds of sizes and shapes, DeShano suggests that anglers avoid the hype and stick with the basics. "A 10 pound weight is ideal for most downrigger fishing situations," says DeShano. "Round weights with a fin molded into the back track straight in the water and work well at all trolling speeds."
THE BASIC DOWNRIGGER PATTERN
Downriggers can be used to fish shallow or deep. "When several riggers are in service, it helps to set the deepest lines near the middle of the boat and the shallower lines out to the side of the boat," suggests DeShano. "This pattern avoids tangles while allowing anglers to space out their lines at different running depths."
SELECTING LEAD LENGTHS
The lead lengths employed when fishing downriggers can be short, long or anywhere in between. Lure types and the depth levels to be fished are used to determine lead length.
"Longer leads are selected when fishing closer to the surface," says DeShano. "Placing the lure further behind the boat helps to compensate for any spooking factor the boat might have on fish. When fishing deeper depths, shorter lead lengths make more sense. Short leads have less line stretch that can play havoc with the function of downrigger releases and the ability to hook fish that strike."
Some lures like the thin flutter style spoons used for trout and salmon trolling have the best kick or action when fished on short leads. If too much lead is let out, these lures loose much of their natural wobble and flash. A lead length from 10-30 feet works best with this lure type. Heavier style casting spoons can be fished on longer leads (up to 100 feet) without sacrificing lure action.
Shallow diving crankbaits such as stickbaits produce best when fished on leads from 50-100 feet. Diving style crankbaits are fished on short to moderate lead lengths. Keep in mind that a crankbait dives below the depth of the downrigger weight. It's usually not necessary to use a long lead to achieve the desired depth.
SUMMING IT UP
Downriggers provide the ultimate in depth control fishing. Versatile and easy to use, a downrigger may be just the ticket for your next successful fishing adventure.
The back of the boat looked like a porcupine with fishing rods jutting out in every direction. Strategically placed rod holders securely held a dozen trolling rods. The look on my face as I surveyed the back of the boat must have telegraphed my amazement.
Downriggers function by connecting a heavy weight (often called a canon ball) to a 200 pound test metal cable stored on a wheel. A unique device known as a line release is attached to the back of the canon ball. When setting lines the angler selects a favorite lure and lets it back the desired distance behind the boat. Next the line release is pinched open and the line placed between the rubber jaws of the release. The canon ball is then lowered over the side of the boat to the desired fishing depth. As the canon ball is lowered, line is allowed to play off the fishing reel.
