Initially developed for commercial salmon fishing, these techniques are equally effective with numerous other game fish species including. Albacore, bass, mackinaw, trout, halibut, walleye and pike. Both manual and electric downriggers are available. The basics of downrigger trolling for trout and landlocked salmon are pretty simple and straight forward. Dick pool, the author, has used and designed downriggers for over thirty years. They put you at the exact depth you require, and with downriggers, you can fish multiple rods and lures. For any type of fishing, water safety is the prime concern. But once you know all the working parts of the rig as well as your fishing goals, and your boat, then choosing a rig is a piece of cake. Jul 05, 2011 get a downrigger or two and take an indepth approach to fishing. Learn all about walleye fishing with a downrigger at howstuffworks. Some fishermen prefer to avoid the drag of a flasher once they catch a salmon. Attach the downrigger weight to the end of the cable and place in the water. The book covers key subjects like how to choose a downrigger, how to rig it for best. With the quick detach downrigger bases, we were able to spin the riggers around during transport, so the rigger arms werent sticking outside the boat.
Trolling tips for chinook salmon downrigger fishing. Fishing with downriggers adds dimension to your trolling spread. The hook and bait or lure attaches to the downrigger ball or line just above the ball. By marcus weiner my favorite way to troll for salmon in saltwater is to employ a downrigger. Here at, we are committed to protecting your privacy. Ideal for the small boat that fishes deep and needs a. The first step is deploying the downrigger ball or weight into the water and attaching the fishing line to the release clip. If youre interested in exploring a downrigger, you might want to begin with booking a trip on a charter boat. But neither manual or electric downriggers come cheap. Great deals on a huge selection of fishing tackle, downriggers trolling motors and parts from minn kota, cannon, walker scotty and more.
These units merge technology with trolling in order to achieve the best results on the water. But there s a way around all this winding the downrigger up and down. Rigging techniques and tricks provide the vital difference between catching no fish and achieving your limit regularly. I have done a great deal of downrigger fishing from a 12foot portabote and caught plenty of good fish while rowing. Choosing the correct downrigger for your boat and for your fishing experience is like deciding what to put on your pizza.
If you use the heavier weight you can get deeper with less blow back, and have less chance of line tangle between the rigging on both sides when you make turns. If i were to stack two rods off of one downrigger, would you put the deeper of the two rods in the rod holder nearest to the stern or in the rod holder near. Take it one step further, and many of the techniques the big tourney boats use for kingfish are the same others use for sailfish, marlin, and even lake trout, as well as a host of deep freshwater species. Downrigging is a method of trolling that uses a cannonball attached to an electric or handpowered winch to carry your fishing line. How pros use downriggers to catch more offshore fish. Join capt mike, host of florida sport fishing tv, for this short 5 minute discussion about using downriggers. Cabelas downrigger fishing techniques pool, dick on. Learn about propellers, be a hero not a zero, propeller for sale st cloud minnesota boat dealer duration.
Fishing the web general fishing and outdoor topics. Scotty introduced its first downrigger over 35 years ago and now produces the most complete range of downriggers and accessories in the world. Make sure your lure reaches the desired depth to increase your chances of that perfect catch using one of. How to stack downriggers gone outdoors your adventure. Mar 17, 2008 also ill use the heavier weight with wire my electrolysis unit works and i know it does ive done side by side tests with my buddies we had the exact same varabies from speed to leader length i had my unit turned on and his was off i was fishing behind him and out fishing him 4. Downrigger selection for effective fishing salt and freshwater trolling. You will lose less time and it will require less effort. Protroll fishing products a guide to salmon fishing. There were a number of boats at the fad about 7 am when we got there plus a couple of divers which didnt help. Deep jigging and how to release fish caught at depth ori tag. There are a few styles of downriggers to choose from when outfitting your fishing boat. Report on fad 17 from yesterday and big thanks to trevor k. Some downrigger users also attach a dodger or a fishing spoon between the release and the lure to further attract the walleye. More fish are caught using downriggers than by any other trolling technique.
Get into controlled depth fishing or upgrade your gear with the best deals of the year on cannon downriggers. One typical method allows you to fish two lines per downrigger. Most walleye fishers recommend using pancake weights because they are skinnier and produce less drag. With that brought new challenges as far as fishing in saltwater. One in particularusing downriggersleads the list for popular big fish skill sets. Your email address will never be sold or distributed to a third party for any reason. It uses an attached cannonball to an electric or manual handpowered winch to bear the fishing line. Also, i have heard but not tried it myself of downriggers being used to fish strong current. It also lures down to a specific depth that could not be reached normally. Probably the worst one to use is the fish shape as it swims. Mar 25, 2015 learn how you can use your lakemaster maps along with humminbird fishfinders to find prime fishing spots and better set your downriggers for optimum performance. Scotty 1106 depthpower telescoping boom with rod holder 60in. How to fish downriggers downrigger fishing techniques.
Use a homemade downrigger to get your lure down deeper. A downrigger consists of a three to sixfoot horizontal pole which supports a cannonball, generally 10 to 15 pounds, by a steel cable generally stainless steel or wire. Stacking lines on a downrigger is a good way to fish more lines down deep. Your fishing line is then clipped in a downrigger release and you are ready.
That sounds like a lot of line, but it will let the bait swim with more freedom, and act more naturally. Also ill use the heavier weight with wire my electrolysis unit works and i know it does ive done side by side tests with my buddies we had the exact same varabies from speed to leader length i had my unit turned on and his was off i was fishing behind him and out fishing him 4. How to stack downriggers gone outdoors your adventure awaits. One of the best methods for returning a blown fish to depth is known as the reverse. As far as downrigger balls go, i try to stay with the plain round ball or ball with a fin. Downrigger fishing tips and technique the fishing website. The angler who looks at the downrigger as a simple, refined fishing tool thats part of a total arsenal of basscatching techniques, however, will experience fewer fishless days afloat. And by using the downrigger, i can run the bait with a very long leader. West marine carries electric downriggers and manual downriggers, as well as plenty of styles of downrigger mounts for installation on your boat. In this article, were gonna discuss the technique of how to use a downrigger. I discovered rockfish in 50 feet of water instead of 400ft, tuna out 60 miles instead of just inside catalina island, bad weather most of the time instead of good, and a salmon fishery i knew nothing about. Most kingfish anglers will run their baits at least 20 to 30 feet behind the weight for optimal presentation.
Protroll downrigger fishing techniques book bass pro shops. Well if you can justify the expense of bought one, indeed why bother. Choice of downrigger reflects style of boat, type of fishing, budget and personal preference. Fisheries supply offers a wide variety of marine products, including scotty downriggers. Stacking is more affordable than buying more downriggers, and on a small fishing boat, there often isnt enough room to attach more downriggers anyway. Walleye fishing with a downrigger walleye fishing with a downrigger is pretty simple if you know what youre doing. In the small aluminum boat my fatherin law owns the downriggers are mounted facing out to the side, as opposed to off the back of the boat. Basics attach your downrigger to the downrigger bracket and position the boom so it points perpendicular to the port or starboard side of the boat. Check out all of our promotions, then find a dealer or download your redemption form below. Fishing can be difficult, but with our full selection of downriggers it just got easer. A number of the innovations on modern downriggers are a result of his work. Learn more about salmon fishing with a downrigger at howstuffworks.
Salmon fishing with a downrigger salmon fishing with a downrigger is a popular technique used by many anglers. We were keen to try for a spanish mackerel so had opted to forego the early morning bite period to try and catch some live bait that we intended to slow troll. One of the most established techniques when it comes to fishing is trolling, from electrical to. In the pic weve shown a planer setup, but a downrigger weight would be equally viable. It is not the be all or end all of fishing techniques and as with. Heres a typical set up with two downriggers, two fishermen and two rods each. It is not the be all or end all of fishing techniques and as with everything will not always produce fish, but if you have never. It was a popular reef on the gold coast well known for its mackerel fishing. The ball is immediately brought up to prevent tangles and the fisherman can freely fight the fish. Initially developed for commercial salmon fishing, these techniques are equally effective with numerous other game. A downrigger is a device used while fishing using the trolling method, which places a lure at the desired depth. Stacking two rods off of downrigger tackle and techniques.
Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Downriggers have been part of the saltwater anglers arsenal for a long time, but only relatively recently have trout fishers in this country been allowed to us. This book is the bible for learning to use and operate downriggers. For example, the berley sack can be deployed off the downrigger when snapper fishing, allowing it to be lowered and positioned at the most effective depth. They seem to troll in a straighter line than some of the other shaped balls and so you have less tangles.
Could have added a couple more rod holders in the center for storage. It could be mind boggling and confusing, the first time. He can also opt to drop the downrigger first, then let the release clip slide down the line using a smaller weight. If youre serious about catching that next big fish its time to get a downrigger. Either way the fisherman has to worry about his rod line wrapping around the dowrigger line. Learn how you can use your lakemaster maps along with humminbird fishfinders to find prime fishing spots and better set your downriggers for. Unlike conventional trolling, the first evidence of a strike may show with just a wiggle of your rod tip or your downrigger pulley. A typical thermocline for trout and kokanee is 20 to 60feet. It allows for precision placement of whatever bait or lure collectively termed baits you use to attract salmon. Combined with a quality fish finder, it allows anglers to get dialed into where the salmon are located in. It also allows the angler to more quickly and easily get the downrigger weight out of the way when fighting a fish, especially when fishing without another person on the deck with you. Aug 28, 2019 he can also opt to drop the downrigger first, then let the release clip slide down the line using a smaller weight. Release clips must be used so that the rod and reel line can part with the downrigger line or ball when a fish is hooked. Protroll downrigger fishing techniques book the downrigging bible.
Most often, the shaker you find on your lure was picked up as your line came up through the upper water. It will take a little while to get used to it, but after you begin to catch fish with it, youll never go back to using heavy tackle. The boom must be long enough to hold the weight a safe distance from the gunwale so it wont swing and damage the boat, says dave maryanov, senior product manager for cannon downriggers. Cannon mag 5hs electric downrigger w base no reserve. Deadly trolling techniques using hot spot flashers designed and produced by successful fishermen, hot spots deadly trolling techniques have been proven to catch more fish, bigger fish, and a greater variety of fish. Trolling for salmon with downriggers coastside fishing club. Ideal for the small boat that fishes deep and needs a high speed retrieve. This unit includes a high speed two foot per turn spool and is fully equipped with an extension handle for extra leverage with heavy weights. While downriggers are far from a new thing, having used them regularly for some time now, i was reminded how effective they can be as a tool for catching fish and also how exciting this type of fishing can be when the rod twangs as the release clip lets go. One thought on trolling tips for chinook salmon downrigger fishing julia layzell august 14, 2015 at 7.
A guide to flasher rigging protroll fishing products. Protroll fishing products equipment for catching salmon. That makes it easier on the angler and since the downrigger retrieves the weight with a flip of a switch, that angler is now free to retrieve lines. Youll also find downrigger covers, downrigger parts and downrigger weights.
Set up a rod with a lure, perhaps teamed with a dodger, spool the rig out behind the boat, attach your line to a downrigger clip and lower the rig to the desired depth. There were a lot of dollies but the majority were around the 60 cm with a lot of throw backs. As you let out more cable to fish deeper, blowback forces the weight farther behind the boat and robs you of some depth. Over the centuries anglers have come up with a number of ways to deploy baits, getting them out or down to where the fish are. Downriggers are obviously the most proficient way to work the thermocline effectively. I usually carry a complete scotty manual downrigger unit as a. Once one has decided whether to choose electric or manual, style of boat and type of fishing should be considered to choose a model. Downrigger weights, also called cannonballs, typically range from 3 to 12 pounds. Learn the secrets from one of the foremost world experts.
Downriggers are great to fish for walleye in deep water because it allows the angler to set the bait depth very precisely. How to use a downrigger more efficiently go saltwater fishing. A leader so long as much as 50 or 60 feet that it doesnt work well with an inline weight. To illustrate different rigging methods, we have selected several of the top salmon. The skills you pick up on the charter boat will help you get a head start on becoming a master of the downrigger. Bring up your flasher and lure with the downrigger. Downrigger tips and options florida sport fishing tv. But other, more downtoearth applications are possible, too. Downrigger fishing works better with these techniques when the vessel is in motion. Fishing with downriggers downrigger fishing is a whole new style of trolling. Covers key subjects like choosing a downrigger, rigging it for best results, and how to use a variety of weights for different applications. Downrigger hum downrigger hum refers to the hum off your downrigger cable as you troll, this is due to electrostatic forces that resonate between the wire, the boat, and the water, and can be very loud.
As always, you want to fish for walleye around ledges or other structures. Ever wondered how to use a downrigger more efficiently. Known throughout the pacific northwest as the dean of saltwater fishing, he has helped develop and test tackle and gear for scotty, protroll and silver horde, is a regular speaker at area sports shows, has taught more than 5,000 students how to fish during his classes at western washington community colleges, and is the cofounder of. Once the fishing line is secured into the downrigger clip, lowering the weight requires a coordinated operation. A clip, also known as a release, attaches a fishing line to. It may take a little while to get used to it, but after you begin to catch fish with it, youll never go back to using heavy tackle. This will explain how to select downriggers, rigging techniques, weight sizes needed and much more. Most anglers who fish on lakes from trailer boats in this country still dont use them preferring to fish flatlines instead.
Ok, with a homemade downrigger were not going to be able to get the same benefits and convenience as we would with an expensive electric one, but to create a means of getting our trolling lure down on its own separate line to a much greater depth than it would otherwise achieve is well within our capability. In its simplest form, a downrigger is merely a heavy weight attached to a line that is lowered to an exact depth thats specified at increments on the line. In addition to traditional manual downriggers, we also offer electric downriggers for really deep fishing or just to take the strain off your arm so you can save your energy for the fish. Easy onoff homemade downrigger transom board tackle and. These fishermen will often tie the flasher directly to the downrigger weight on an extra cord and then hook a downrigger release and their fishing line up the cable. Consider the spots available for mounting and other gear on the boat ie, swim grid, motor, kicker motor, etc in order to choose a boom length that will. My husband and i are new to fishing and would like to know how you set up your fishing rod and downrigger for trolling on the bc west coast. Tackledirect has downriggers, planers and accessories made by leading manufacturers, including cannon, aftco, scotty and many more. Combining a tide change period with one of these low light. A charter boat is a nice way to learn the variety of downrigger techniques with professional anglers at your side. Downrigger selection for effective fishing salt and. Downrigger selection different scotty models deep trolling for trout in new zealand, with the aid of a downrigger, has become popular over the past decade or so. Fishing downriggers allow you to put your bait exactly at the depth it should be, depending on what you want to catch, while still releasing from the weight clip once the fish is on to allow you a weightfree fight.