New to Downriggers - questions on use

[BentMetal]

Put a couple of cheap-o downriggers on my Drift Boat this weekend, fished at Green Peter (grew up in Sweet Home, and mom and dad live within site of Foster Reservoir) and did OK. Just noticed that the downriggers would "sing" while trolling! It was very loud. It got a little better when we really tightened down the clamps, but I was wondering if this was common and if there is anything that should be done to eliminate or lessen this noise? I don't have a rubber gunwale wrap on the drifter.

We only got five fish, and we were fishing from 22 feet to 30 feet deep most of the morning . . . other reports put the fish much shallower than that, so we will have to try that this coming weekend.

It also seems like a lot of work to keep the downriggers going if you get into a hot bite. Is there any shortcuts for downrigger fishing?

[FishTy]

Put a couple of cheap-o downriggers on my Drift Boat this weekend, fished at Green Peter (grew up in Sweet Home, and mom and dad live within site of Foster Reservoir) and did OK. Just noticed that the downriggers would "sing" while trolling! It was very loud. It got a little better when we really tightened down the clamps, but I was wondering if this was common and if there is anything that should be done to eliminate or lessen this noise? I don't have a rubber gunwale wrap on the drifter.

We only got five fish, and we were fishing from 22 feet to 30 feet deep most of the morning . . . other reports put the fish much shallower than that, so we will have to try that this coming weekend.

It also seems like a lot of work to keep the downriggers going if you get into a hot bite. Is there any shortcuts for downrigger fishing?
You mean the bumble beeeee song?:D mine sing that song all the time!
Koke fishing with my old hand cranks, used to drive me nuts!!! electric is the way to go! then every time you get a fish you just hit the button instead of cranking those up each time! that can be alot of work!
Shortcuut: if your only going 30ft deep might just try banana weights, instead of the downriggers.. I don't use them if the fish are shallow like that or if fishing more than 2 rods.

[Doc_Rhen]

The other thing that I do in a hot bite is use a Shasta Shuttle Hawk instead of clipping on the ball. They are nice for stacking and also for not having to crank the darn hand crank rigger when you are in fish as long as you are not in danger of running on shallow water when fighting a fish.

[trollin4trout]

" Just noticed that the downriggers would "sing" while trolling! It was very loud. It got a little better when we really tightened down the clamps, but I was wondering if this was common and if there is anything that should be done to eliminate or lessen this noise?
We only got five fish, and we were fishing from 22 feet to 30 feet deep most of the morning . . . other reports put the fish much shallower than that, so we will have to try that this coming weekend.

It also seems like a lot of work to keep the downriggers going if you get into a hot bite. Is there any shortcuts for downrigger fishing?"
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I love the whine of the line! Sometimes you can detect a fish by the change in the sound. You can definitely hear when you're too shallow and the whine changes suddenly! Yes it's common and normal- some can't stand it!

It can be hectic when the fish are biting- but that's why it's hectic- you have the right lure at the right depth because the downrigger puts you right there every time. It's a good thing.

Some small downriggers are harder to operate quickly and efficiently- you will improve with practice. I have Scotty 1060 manuals- they have a spool that is 2ft. per turn- this allows me to get up from 20-30 ft. in 5-10 secs.
Grab the line- back on the clip- down to 30ft in another 10 secs. It really can be done very fast when you get it down. 40-50 ft. is a little harder but still easily done. Below that becomes more work and time- but I've used them to 110 ft. with a 4lb. ball at Cultus Lake- ALL DAY long- no problem.

When the spool is small- like a foot per turn -you have both a longer up and down time/ more turns and since the handle is on a smaller spool- you have less leverage availabe for turning power- so it's harder to lift the weight.

So when you're sold on the effectiveness of them - you may want to upgrade to make them easier to use.

"""we were fishing from 22 feet to 30 feet deep most of the morning . . . other reports put the fish much shallower than that,"""

You want to make sure you use them when they're needed- not just because you have them! I'll always fish the surface first if I think they could be there. If nothing happens or I see them on the sonar down deeper- THEN - I'll drop the lead down.

[Jedcraft]

I only use mine over 50' deep unless I really have to. Less than that I use 3-4-5oz.leads. They really howl in the salt. Have heard the heavy braid is alot quieter than wire.

[Gr8waves]

Put a couple of cheap-o downriggers on my Drift Boat this weekend, fished at Green Peter (grew up in Sweet Home, and mom and dad live within site of Foster Reservoir) and did OK. Just noticed that the downriggers would "sing" while trolling! It was very loud. It got a little better when we really tightened down the clamps, but I was wondering if this was common and if there is anything that should be done to eliminate or lessen this noise? I don't have a rubber gunwale wrap on the drifter.

We only got five fish, and we were fishing from 22 feet to 30 feet deep most of the morning . . . other reports put the fish much shallower than that, so we will have to try that this coming weekend.

It also seems like a lot of work to keep the downriggers going if you get into a hot bite. Is there any shortcuts for downrigger fishing?

100 lb test braided sturgeon line will take care of that annoying whine.

[Sandybar]

:yeahthat:

[fish-on-bend]

Beware of the braid. I posted on the other thread that I ran 1 downrigger with braid and the other with steel for 1 year. The braid actually has more blow-back and wears a LOT quicker. It was back to steel for me.
Love that hummmmmmm:whistle:

[fr7s]

I tried the tennis ball trick it did'nt stop all the hum but helped.you drill a tennis ball and slide it on the wire then put your terminator back on, when you put down the ball rides on the surface the water pressure on the ball takes some of the hum out hope this helps
greg

[Waterfish]

Beware of the braid. I posted on the other thread that I ran 1 downrigger with braid and the other with steel for 1 year. The braid actually has more blow-back and wears a LOT quicker. It was back to steel for me.
Love that hummmmmmm:whistle:


:yeahthat: That hummmmm lets me know that I am fishing and that the downriggers are about to hook up with a fish!

[Simon Peter]

When you hear the humm, all is well - speed is correct based on the pitch of the whine. You will get it all dialed in soon and learn to embrace the whine of the line.

My kids always ask why it is singing - I tell them that is the Kokanee Song. Sing it all day long!