Homemade downrigger

[Don Fischer]

Someone asked on another thread about downriggers. I never used one but wanted to try. Not to crazy about spending that kind of money just to try, so I made one, actually now two.



The base is maple hardwood and has a hole in it to bolt it tomthe side of my junk boat. The two pieces that hold the rod are also hardwood and the front one has a 3/16 dowel glued in it that then goes into the rod to hold it steady. Today I started epoxoying the rod and the base together. The tip was hollow and I epoxied in a small roller to run the line thru. The new one is solid glass and not sure how I'll do it yet. To figure the depth you can see the Shakespere depth finder that clampe onto the rod. 4oz keel weight but I also have a tomato paste can filled with lead, might be to heavy. I'm gonna cut off the butt of the rod!

[FallRiverGuy]

Nicely done. That should work down to about 40 ft. I used something similar, but not nearly as nice, for two years before buying my first low end downrigger.

[Got One!]

That looks like a good rig. I'm with you, I never could see the cost-vs-material value of a pre-made downrigger, that said I have made a variety of working "frankenstein" rigs. Good job.

[adobe wall]

I just took an old roller tip rod and sawed it off at the first guide. I use a 48 ounce cannonball weight on it. There's a 3 way swivel tied in the line (80 lb tuffline) about a foot above the weight.

I just put the redneck downrigger in one rodholder and the actual fishing rod in the next closest rodholder. Works fine and I actually prefer it when I'm fishing alone. The tomato can will work but I think you'll like a cannonball sinker better.

The line counter is pretty nifty but I just use my depthfinder. It registers a solid line at the downrigger weights.

regards, aw

[Chris61182]

That looks awesome! I've got to try something like that sometime, I just need to find an old rod to cut up.

Now is the main reason behind cutting down the rod just to make it more manageable? And I suppose there's also the side benefit of not having to explain to the law enforcement that you're using the second rod as a downrigger.

[adobe wall]

It's not necessary to cut down a second rod but I can tell you that hanging a 48 ounce weight from a 6 or 7 foot rod really puts a strain on it. It's also a much longer lever so it's probably going to be harder on your rod holder.

Cutting it down keeps things more compact. I just swap on a very big sturgeon/halibut reel and call it good.

First time I tried it I used a smallish Penn 109 reel. Stripped the teeth off the gears in about 2 trips. The bigger reels are made for the punishment.

regards, aw

[Don Fischer]

Got two done and made mounts for them in the boat. Loosen the nut under the reel and the things rotate out. Have a 40oz ball which feels really heavy and two 8 oz chain weights. was thinking of making a couple 1# weights. Have 30# mono on them now but someone said something about tuff line. I got some yesterday, very thin! I'm thinking it reduces drag and gives more depth?

Well here they are mounted on my 1960 classic water craft!



By the way, bought a book on it to, konanee fishing. Then saw those photo's today. I'm pumped! On the right is the First Model COHMDRA #891, it comes in white, limited edition. And on the left is the Centennial John Wayne Commemorative model # 892 1/2. Please allow 25 yrs for delivery!

[stupenny5]

Nice job. Now for your next modification. You need to find an old electric reel from the east coast and you will have a cheaper down rigger.

[IDFishrite]

Nothing wrong with those.Should catch fish just fine!