Downrigger balls and kokanne fishing

Riverteeth · 07-14-2009, 12:54 PM

I'm a newbie fishing for kokanne, and also a newbie using the downriggers for me on my new (to me) boat.

So I've been out once, used my manual downriggers for kokanne (got a heck of a workout running the 8 pound balls). So later I am in the sporting goods stores, and see they make four pound balls: Wow!!!

So, is kokanne fishing the correct application for these lighter balls? Or is more related to choppy water. My arm/shoulder is really likin' the idea of four pound balls, so I wanted to see if there are any reasons why I shouldn't pick up a couple. Thoughts???

SilverBullets · 07-14-2009, 01:45 PM

I would recommend not getting the 4lb balls. For the depths you target kokes at you have the correct weight right now. I went from 6 to 8lb with my manuals, and wouldn't go back. The water pressure when going to koke depth (and speed) creates alot of blow back, and a lighter weight doesn't work. The 8lb ball will get you more vertical, so your depth will be more accurate. The heavier weight is a real plus when useing ball trolls. As long as your downrigger can handle a 8 pounder I'd stick with it.

6wapiti6 · 07-14-2009, 01:51 PM

You can tell how much "blowback" you are getting by looking at your ball on your depth finder and then seeing what your rigger is set at. If there is a big (3-4ft) difference you should go heavier. I run a cannon 6lb weight and have no problems. Usually troll at 1 to 1.2 mph at depths of 40 -50 ft.

SilverBullets · 07-14-2009, 01:58 PM

You might look into useing the Shasta Tackle Shuttle Hawk...just a thought.

sucker · 07-14-2009, 02:21 PM

I use 8 and 10 pound balls on my electric downrigger and a 4 pound on the manual. The 4 pound does blow back worse but doesn't seem to make too much difference as I can see both balls on the fish finder. Havent needed to go below 50 feet yet this year but with counter down 50 feet the depth is only about 2-3 feet different at 1.2mph. The cheap cannon manual downrigger has a smaller wire on it so it has less drag; that may make a big difference in blowback. I tried the shuttle hawk today; it went down just fine but took forever to come back up it could also easily fall of the smaller wire on the cannon. Blowback with the 4 pound ball could be causing the slow return of the shuttle hawk.

jzell · 07-14-2009, 02:50 PM

Running the 8 lbers on the manuals will inspire you to save up for electrics.

But in the meantime the workout won't kill ya.

I guess you could call us with electrics "girly men".

jz

Cap'n Ron · 07-14-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Bullets

You might look into useing the Shasta Tackle Shuttle Hawk...just a thought.

+1

It will save you the workout and its pretty cool to boat a fish, turn around and see the hawk floating there waiting for you like a loyal dog.

SilverBullets · 07-14-2009, 06:08 PM

The main reason I went from 6 to 8lb was because of the use of ball trolls. I sometimes run 2 in tandem which creates alot of additional drag. The manuals I use are Scotty 1060 Depthking, which have a 2 to 1 return. A 6lb ball will definitely work, but I wouldn't recommend going any lighter. Also, I think Seps just came out with their own version of the shuttle hawk...might be worth checking out.

trollin4trout · 07-15-2009, 06:40 AM

Well, my experience is apparently 180 degrees from y'alls!

I used the 4lb balls with the Scotty 1060's for several years and they are the perfect size for a manual downrigger. They can also be bought in the "sinker" dept. instead of the downrigger dept.- a LOT cheaper!

I've fished them at 120 ft successfully- yes there is blowback-no more than 10fts difference at 120 ft. They are tedious to bring up from that depth but not the least bit of struggle with the weight- just turn the handle. I can actually bring the manual up faster than the electrics I now have can do. Of course, not near as conveniently.

20-50ft is utterly simple to fish with these and very effective. I now have them rigged to set right on the seats of the 14ft'er bungeed in place- I wouldn't go fishing without them. In fact I trolled with the electric motor in a lake on Saturday- fishing 18-22 ft. down on the downriggers with silver flatfish- hammered the trout!(21 fish) My buddy stubbornly fished on the surface- he caught 4!

I do have electrics now on my 16ft boat- it's quite the luxury- but I am never bummed about having to use the manuals in the small boat- they are awesome!

I have tried the 8 and 10lb balls on the manuals- I agree that I would NOT be using a manual for long if I HAD to use those weights! It's just not practical to try and lift those.

I would also advise getting the 2ft./turn spool like the model 1060 has-you will not like the little 1ft/turn spool- THAT is too much work, with any weight. 2ft per turn can get you up from 50ft. in 10 seconds.

Jim

Loneangler · 07-15-2009, 07:33 AM

I am with trollin4trout for manual downriggers and lighter downrigger weights. Two feet per turn downriggers and 4 or 6 lb downrigger balls will do fine. My wife and I use that combo on our two small boats, she using the 4 lb and I use a 6 lb weight. We are both in our 70s (me middle 70s) and I still have no trouble cranking up the 6 lb from 100 feet if that is where the fish are holding. On our boat with the electrics, we still only use 6 and 8 lb balls. Blowback happens but is easy to correct for when targeting the fish.

moknots · 07-15-2009, 01:32 PM

I use 8 on my manuals. And 3 when I use a halibut rod and 50# spectra as a downrigger. If you want to use a 3 or 4 pound ball, without blowback, just use thinner braided line in place of the steel cable(I just put 100 yards on right over the steel cable).