Downrigger weight advice

[clark270]

I'm looking to buy a down rigger for fishing 100-200 ft down. What size of ball should I use any certain style. I was thinking 10-12 lb ball. Trolling 1.5 mph with dodgers/flashers for lake trout. Thanks

 

[yobuck]

ive had considerable experience with downriggers in both fresh and salt water.
for what your doing and the speeds you will be using the 10# would be fine.
even heavier for those depths would be good.
of coarse the heavier the weight and the faster you move the more strain on everything so keep that in mind.
in salt water trolling speeds are much higher. the z wing weights work better
for that but even those can be problematic. they work on the same principle as planers.
i keep 1 manual penn on the boat now while the cannon mag 10s are gathering dust.

 

[clark270]

Thanks, one more thing how bad is it to mount a downrigger to the side of the boat that is intended to fish off the back? I was thinking of a big jon big water or Walker kingfisher. I worry about the rigger boom bending/breaking. Can't wait for the foot of ice on the lake to melt.

 

[yobuck]

i fished with 5' booms off the sides on swivel bases and 2' booms off the stern
corners. i never had any problems with that setup. keep in mind thats a
salmon/trout setup meant for slow trolling. i wouldnt attempt using it for high
speed trolling. i have used my stern corners for that purpose but with the z wings not standard weights.
if i were to re rig a boat today for your type fishing i wouldnt be using any
permanant mounts. everything would be mounted on a removable board
accross the stern and supported off the gunnels. some are supported by built in gunnel rod holders. that way they are easily removed without leaving any holes. and they can easily be moved to another boat if you decide.
electrics are just about a must have in my opinion for your purpose. that way you can fish 4 riggers even if your alone if need be.

 

[clark270]

Z wings are out of production and will not make any more last I heard. Most stores are sold out. My luck has always been this way. Looks like I have to use my old round balls.

 

[yobuck]

i wouldnt be losing any sleep over that. a large planer would be about the same. stick with the weights for what you want.

 

[Edward Ronald]

Have you ever used eBay for Downrigger weight advice? I always prefer to eBay to find out quality weight scales.

 

[clark270]

Thanks guys I caught a few lakers already on my second time out after I got the bugs out. I switch the downrigger between two boats my little 14 ft duck boat and dad's 18ft Alumacraft. The bigger boat I used a 2x10 and use the holes from the flush mounted rod holders. The duck boat, I made my own mount held down by two threaded rods under the bench seats. The force isn't as great as what I thought when the ball is dragging the bottom. Everything can be removed in 5 minutes.

 

[Edward Ronald]

Have you ever used eBay for Downrigger weight advice? I always prefer to eBay to find out quality weight scales.

eBay, Scaleforless, OLX and Amazon, are best online stores to find such scales.