[Striper77]

In many parts of the country, especially fresh water but salt also, I see people using downriggers to get the lure down to the fish and fish different parts of the water column. Around Long Island I see very few downriggers being used. Seems to me they would be a better way than wire or drails, or extremely long lines trolled to get the lures down. I assume that there are good reasons why they are not used around here and would love to know what they are. Thanks guys.

 

[622691]

Good Question

Great question, I've often thought of that myself. New to boat ownership and thought of putting them on for the spring striper run in the Hudson.

 

[shebeen]

They work great for me fishing out of Portsmouth and Gloucester. Just have to watch out for those lobster pots so there's some places I don't put them down. I rarely see another boat with them so I just figure it's my little secret, they can give me all the funny looks they want. Brought LOTS of fish aboard this season off them.

Another 'freshwater' rig that I use and rarely (if ever) see anybody else using is side planers. I don't have outriggers yet so I've resorted to my Great Lakes gear and I've brought in 3 schoolie bluefin (to 55 lbs) in the last two weeks off the planers. They work just fine up to 1'-3' seas.

shebeen

 

[loonzter]

I have seen many boats fishing salt water with downriggers, most of them in the Fall on the S. shore trolling for Stripers. I purchased a small one from Cabellas for $40 and plan to use it on the N. Shore by the Pt Jeff area if the wind and rain will let up. A downrigger lets you fish a light rod setup with no weight (lead) and still get your lure down to where the fish are feeding. It's pretty cool to fight a 20 lb Bass on your fluke rod!

 

[baywatch]

They Work

I have seen plenty of them used especially by some older Salts. Rather then use wire line a CRANKING in 3-400 ft of wire with no real skill the D/R will let you use Mono and keep you closer to the boat. Getting the proper wieghts and the proper trolling depth can be a liitle tricky.

There is a formula for it and I am not familair with it but maybe some else has it.

The downside is that they clutter up the rails and if a fish is walking you around the boat you might have a problem getting fouled up in it.

Bill

 

[MakoMatt]

Striper77, I think it's kinda like womens fashions, it changes from year to year. I can remember some years ago it seemed everyone was using downriggers, we caught plenty of Bass with umbrella rigs on them. Then it was big spoons, these work better trolled on wire line, so that was big, so big in fact, the South shore looked like the LIE with boats going back and forth. Then the shad rigs, and on and on. Now people are doing more of the clam bellies thing. It's not that one is better then the other, I think it's just that 1 catches on and most everybody follows suit. Downriggers are a great tool, if your not catching using the "latest fashion way" try the downriggers. I have some uses for them sometimes when shark fishing, but otherwise, like most everyone else, they are in the garage somewhere waiting till thay come back in fashion.

 

[617921]

They work well along the south shore beaches, but Montauk Point has so much structure, it's nerve racking to use a downrigger.

 

[Mizer]

I use them all the time for bass. It beats reeling in all that wire+spoon+drail+fish you think every bass is a monster only to find out its barely a keeper. I like the downriggers they are great to use with umbrella rigs,shad rigs and even spoons. I run them out with 7'medium action rods and a level wind reel 30' test line. I let out about 30 yards of line behind the ball then drop it down close to the bottom. I have 8lb balls for my rigs a they work good on the south shore. Rember to keep track of the bottom and raise and lower as nessecary. Also fish swim at different depths so watch your scope.

On a side note the wire on a downrigger will somtimes hum that some say scare the fish but I don't buy that. If the fish are there and they like what your offering then thats all you need.

 

[AfterDark]

I was told they are not used in the Western LI Sound because too many unmarked lobster pots were getting tangled in and it was getting expensive loosing downrigger weights, etc. Can anyone corroborate this info?

 

[MakoMatt]

Afterdark, I don't know about the lobster pots, but I kept a boat at Steppingstone Park for many years, and can tell you firsthand that it is very expensive to troll stuff deep in the water up there. Lots of rocks, changing bottom structure, etc.

 

[617921]

Since we're on the topic of trolling for bass, and autumn rapidly approaches.....and Montauk is calling....

I'm sorry- I can't hold back! Can someone please tell those "non-boat owning occasional fisherman" that like to score big on your boat during prime trophy bass season that when they screw up (usually as a direct result of not listening properly to directions) and lose or kink your wire beyond being servicable that it's at least a $50 loss for the captain (assuming the spoon was not lost) who so graciously invited them and it's time to break out the checkbook!!!!!!!! Also when we're dragging 'chutes, don't whine like a baby because your arms hurt! I am the one running the boat & would much rather relax, get some exercise and only worry about hooking up a fish! Instead I am concentrating on keeping you over fish without pissing off those boys who do this for a living, by staying out of their way! all the while calling out the current depth so you know when to reel in or let out! I am so frustrated that I no longer break out the wire unless I am with the closest of friends and the most experienced crew!!! If you want to troll wire on my boat-bring your own or leave a deposit!

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

-Bill

 

[LkyLindy]

There HERE!!!!!!!

Bill- Amen

I learned long ago to keep the custom equipment locked away when the greenhorns come on the boat with their black soled shoes etc.A landlubber has no idea of what a day of fishing might cost

 

[baywatch]

Re-Spool wire

I know how you guys feel about losing gear but if out in Montauk and you are at Gone Fishin it is $20 for 400 ft of wire and is done in about 2 hours, $24 with backing.

I lost arig also out there this year and was pleasently suprised with the price, it hurt but nit that bad!

Bill