Downriggers, Who uses them?

[Guest]

I picked up 4 downriggers at an estate sale last week and don't know the first thing about them, I don't think they are used here in the south but they may, I believe they are used in deep water like the ocean or maybe the great lakes. I don't need them but they came with the other heavy rods and reels i purchased, if anyone can shed some light on these things, please let me know.

 

[polo-dog]

Not many people fish with downriggers in the Tn river. You are right in that they are useful in the ocean and in the great lakes. They are used mostly for catching supended fish that are following bait balls. I remember a story from the paper back in the early 90's about a young girl that caught a 50+ lb striper in the lower end of Chickamaug and I believe that it was caught with a downrigger. I would expect that there are a lot of catchable fish that could be reached with downriggers that never see lures or baits presented to them. If it were me I would set two of them up on your boat and try them out. I would try to run the baits in the 15-20 foot deep range as I would expect that the thermocline is in that range right now. If you see lots of bait suspended off of the main river channel, set the riggers for that depth. In the great lakes I know that they use riggers for the trout and salmon that follow the big alewive schools that suspend out in the open water in the summer and other times of the year. Let us know if you put them to good use and have success.

 

[EricM]

Great reply Polo! I've actually considered trying one on the river but wouldn't put out the cash just to see if they'd be worth the effort. Doc1, I'd be interested in talking about the possibility of buying one maybe, if the price was right (for me)! LOL! I'll PM you.

 

[foodsaver]

I would like to have one if you are selling them cheap. shoot me a PM for a price on one with the line counter.

 

[minner]

A lot of the striper fishermen use down riggers several guides on Lake Martine, Smith Lake, and Lake Lanier use them. Just like Polo said, for suspended fish.

 

[tarheel]

Jeff Hughes at Carter's Lake uses down riggers for his striper fishing. Just Google Jeff Hughes and Carter's Lake and you will find his page.

 

[Guest]

If you decided to sell, add my name to the list. If priced right, I might pick up 2 or more to use for summer salmon trips to the Great Lakes.

 

[sharphook]

you should try one out' i got 4 minimag electric's on my 22 ft. boat . If i was fishing on the chick, or river early morning and late in the evening . use a 1/2 bucktail jig with rubber try to fish the river break's on ledge's, hump's keep your cannon ball 4 to 5 feet above the fish. This is a perfect time of the year for this type of fishing. GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[Fuzzy]

Grew up in New York and they were standard fair. Great for fishing for salmon, trout,walleye, crappie or perch. If you didn't use the down riggers, you used "dipsy divers" from Luhr Jensen or an equivalent. I had two mounted on a bayliner ski boat!

 

[foodsaver]

hey doc can I meet up with you this weekend to get that downrigger? My anniversary is tomorrow so I think my name would be mud if I caught up with you before then.

 

[HarrisBasser]

Ive always thought downriggers would be good for trolling at Parksville lake for those big rainbows in that lakes deep water.I thought if someone that knew how to use them could wear the trout out.Ive trolled at parksville with inline spinners and cranks in the winter and caught beautiful rainbows,but never caught more than 3 or 4.

 

[Flat Head]

Downrigger are mostly used in big water , but can be used in smaller water they work greight in the right application..For trolling bait or lures
at surtain depths....they work really well

 

[japlata]

It is my belief that this time of year with the water temp near boiling the fish need to go deep just to find water cool enough to survive. I often find fish suspended very deep at parksville and elsewhere. Whether they will feed is anouther question. But you can't find out unless you can get down there to them. Of course you can verticle fish, but it is very hard to stay on them, with the current and the wind. I may be interested in one or two if you have any left and the $ is right. emoCool (pm me)

 

[SpurHunter]

Man, I know what to look for at estate sales now!</p>

I was shocked to see the interest in this post. I even learnded something new!</p>