I want to use a downrigger in the spread but not 100% sure how to use it. If just normal trolling (5-6 mph), do you run a ballyhoo on a skirted lure or just run the skirted lure naked. Will the ballyhoo wash out down 40 feet? I have some Yo-Zuri Bonitas on wire leaders, but not really going fast enough to target wahoo at high speed. I want to run something down in the water column just in case a big Hoo is around, heck any Hoo for that matter.
How do you set-up your downriggers?
I don’t think that a balleyhoo will wash out any faster at depth. If anything, it’s probably just the opposite. Every boat is different. The best thing that you can do is experiment a little to see what works best for you. Many people run a planer on the downrigger and use the paper clip\rubber band system. A planer will get your bait down deeper than a downrigger ball. For the most part, downrigger balls are better off at slow (1knt) for live bait situations. If you try to droll with a downrigger at 6knts, it will track back further in your spread because the drag on the ball.
Thanks Skinnnee. I do use a #5 planner off the downrigger and not the ball. I used a wahoo bomb with a spinner last time with no luck, but it was a slow day over all. Wanted to try something different Friday/Saturday - if weather holds.
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Twin 150 4-strokes
“Just livin the Dream”
Reelsmooth, balleyhoo are probably responsible for 90% of the wahoo deaths aroud these parts. You really don’t need anything fancy to catch them.
Just be careful using a downrigger when trolling over 7knots. If you crank it up too much unintentionally you can tear up or loose some gear quick like.
It’s a challenge to get a bait down effectively at 6-7 knots without using a planer rod. I’ve tinkered with it a lot and so far the best method I’ve found is a #5 planer, rubber band, and shower curtain rings or large paper clips on the downrigger. Have to use big rubber bands or they will pop a lot from the tension. I run the planer on my downrigger with braided line. Allows it to dig a bit deeper without so much line out from blow back. Caught wahoo and grouper(trolling) on this setup.
I also use a Z-wing behind about 90’ of 400 lb mono connected to the boat via nylon rope and a steel ring. Rope goes to a cleat. This works well also. Probably could have gone with 300lb mono. Doesn’t dig quite as deep as the planer on the downrigger due to size of the mono used. I would not run the Z-wing off the planer though in fear of busting the boom from the pressure.
I’ve been looking for something to replace the shower curtain/rubber bands with. Release clips work but you don’t want to have to pull the planer up every time the line pops. Ordered a pack of these to try next trip. Pretty cheap and come in 4 pack.
http://www.basspro.com/Scotty-Mini-PowerGrip-Plus-Release-Clips/product/10211982/-1056568
Anyway I’m no expert but that’s my 2 cents
quote:
Originally posted by cane_creekIt’s a challenge to get a bait down effectively at 6-7 knots without using a planer rod. I’ve tinkered with it a lot and so far the best method I’ve found is a #5 planer, rubber band, and shower curtain rings or large paper clips on the downrigger. Have to use big rubber bands or they will pop a lot from the tension. I run the planer on my downrigger with braided line. Allows it to dig a bit deeper without so much line out from blow back. Caught wahoo and grouper(trolling) on this setup.
I also use a Z-wing behind about 90’ of 400 lb mono connected to the boat via nylon rope and a steel ring. Rope goes to a cleat. This works well also. Probably could have gone with 300lb mono. Doesn’t dig quite as deep as the planer on the downrigger due to size of the mono used. I would not run the Z-wing off the planer though in fear of busting the boom from the pressure.
I’ve been looking for something to replace the shower curtain/rubber bands with. Release clips work but you don’t want to have to pull the planer up every time the line pops. Ordered a pack of these to try next trip. Pretty cheap and come in 4 pack.
http://www.basspro.com/Scotty-Mini-PowerGrip-Plus-Release-Clips/product/10211982/-1056568
Anyway I’m no expert but that’s my 2 cents
That’s what I do as well. Let us know how the clips work out…
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Ballyhoo on skirted lure it is. I use double swivels with rubber bands to get the line down to the planner. One end around the downrigger cable and the other with the rubber band around the line. Slides down pretty good and you don’t have to crank it up.
Last question. Any special type of lure to run deep? Chugger with lots of smoke bubbles, bullet head?
Sailfish 2660
Twin 150 4-strokes
“Just livin the Dream”
run a ballyhoo behind a bullet head lure on the downrigger. We have caught some of our biggest dolphin on the downrigger so we always carry the downrigger or a planer rod. I seem to get less wash out on the down rigger baits but i think the bigger skirts I run on the down rigger kinda protect the ballyhoo.
wire rod with #4 planer blue and white ilander flasher pretty decent set up for me
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Good info guys, I appreciate it. Will work on deploying some of these techniques in the near future. Will let you know how successful we are with the new strategies.
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