"Black Box" and Braided downrigger line

Mister G. · 03-20-2006, 08:34 AM

Hi,

I'm thinking about swapping our my worn stainless steel downrigger cable for braided (Tufline or something like that.) I didn't ever but one of those 'black box' things to fool with the electrical charge on the SS cable, and since braided line (as far as I know)doesn't carry a charge, have I just eliminated a problem?

Thanks,
Gary

Bluto · 03-20-2006, 10:46 AM

I put braided on my scotty & am very pleased. It does not carry a current, and there is no "whine" or vibration of the cable slicing through the water. Scotty just started marketing their own low-stretch braided line which has about the same diameter as the cable - which makes it very easy to use the standard downrigger clips and line stops. A spool of 300yrs cost me about $50 if I remember correctly.

elron · 03-20-2006, 10:53 AM

Hey I just switched out for scottys braided downrigger line. took it out yesterday and was pretty pleased as well. I didnt notice any negatives, except I did buy a black box last year and now have one for sale :} anybody know if you can wire the black box to the boat itself and if that would be worth anything?

timinthegorge · 03-20-2006, 11:03 AM

I replaced my cable with 250# Power Pro. No noise, and no problems... I love it.

Mister G. · 03-20-2006, 11:20 AM

Thanks, for the come-backs, folks. This is looking like a no-brainer.

Gary

Road Rage · 03-20-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

anybody know if you can wire the black box to the boat itself and if that would be worth anything?

I saw a guide boat one time that had a wire strung tightly across its transom, with a black box wired to it. If you're convinced the black-box helps (I'm not), I suppose it could do some good in shallow water if rigged in this fashion.

SouthCoastStu · 03-20-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

spool of 300yds

That's a lot of line

How deep you fish'n?

fishingls · 03-20-2006, 04:22 PM

Scotty and Cannon both publish info on how to check the current coming off from your boat. If the current is within safe range, you have no need of a black box. I have also found that chassis ground boats have the biggest need of a black box. Examine how your boat is grounded. If it is grounded to the frame, normally you will have a concern with and without downriggers. Yes, you will catch fish but will not do as well as a non chassis ground boat. I have a friend who is a very good fisherman and his success declined when he bought a new boat. He rewired it, and it back swinging like he always did. Lots of luck.