I’m putting the first downrigger on my boat for next years mahi/wahoo season. I have a 28’ CC and have outriggers. How big does my downrigger need to be? I’m going manual. Can I use a Easi-troll by Cannon? There are several on eBay and Craigslist for under $100. I’m not sure if they are long enough or rated strong enough. I plan on placing them on the stern corners. How much weight will I need and do you typically use downriggers for mahi? Any advice is appreciated…
The downrigger only needs to be strong enough to hold your weight, and long enough to get the weight and line out past your motor or off to the side of your boat. I use the EZ Troll sometimes with as much as a 10lb ball on it and it works fine. Mine has the telescoping arm so it extends to I think 5’. I also got the mount for it that allows me to just put it in a rod holder instead of permanently mounting it to the boat. Since I do a lot more than off shore fishing I find it’s less in the way… Even with the permanent mount though you can remove it with a clip.
I think I have 2 size weights - 6 lb and 10 lb… Depends on what you are doing, current etc. the goal is simply to keep your bait at the depth you set on the down rigger, if the ball is not holding the line straight down you have 2 choices - bigger weight, or let out more depth so that it gets to your target depth anyway.