downrigger issue

BCFISHON1 · 03-27-2010, 07:30 PM

hey im new to this trout thing and recently did a trip and was playing with the downrigger and at about 75ft down i noticed while trolling the downrigger cable would make a humming sound.im sure this is not good for catching and if there is a cure,any help would be great and if you think of anything else i should look out for on my new adventure then let her rip.

fish-on-bend · 03-27-2010, 07:37 PM

It has never affected my catch rate or anyone else that I have ever talked to. I use it as a speed indicator and sing along.

It has a different pitch depending on speed, depth, wind, lure etc.
If it bothers you, you can switch the steel out for braid.

BCFISHON1 · 03-27-2010, 07:49 PM

no kidding,i would think it would spook fish but maybee it will attrack them,good to hear though cause i thought i was doing something wrong.i cant wait to do some lake fishing this year with wife and with downriggers for the first time,its gonna be sweeeet!!!!! i love this state!!!!thanks for the info!

Little Blessings · 03-28-2010, 07:14 AM

Mine do that at times and I still catch fish. It just comes with the territory.

marthagofish · 03-28-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish-on-bend

It has never affected my catch rate or anyone else that I have ever talked to. I use it as a speed indicator and sing along.

It has a different pitch depending on speed, depth, wind, lure etc.
If it bothers you, you can switch the steel out for braid.

Are you trying to stop or continue hearing the sound by adjusting trolling speed?

twink · 03-28-2010, 08:00 AM

you can do a couple 3 things to take away the harmonics of the wire going through the water at higher speeds. 1). the cheaper way is to cut a slice in a tennis ball halfway through, then slide that over your cable be sure to remove before you lift your weight. 2).get the weight retreiver system from scotty and put tension on the cable with the green ring. 3). install the braided downrigger line.

Curt

Jimmy · 03-28-2010, 09:08 AM

I use the humming sound as a strike indicator. There is a change in the tone as soon as the line releases from the clip.

deeptrout · 03-29-2010, 12:33 PM

my braided line has a hum also....sorry to anyone that thought that would eliminate it.
kite lines whistle in the air, motorcycle tie down straps can vibrate loud enough to make you think the wheel bearings on the bike trailer just went kerblooey. the hum doesn't seem to be eliminated by the type of cable or line, or even wether it is passing through air or water.
The only thing that works is to put on some kind of damper like twink suggested, or take a trick from truck drivers that put a twist in their tie down straps so the vibration is disrupted by the changing angle of attack the straps present to the passing air. I know it works, I do it on my bike trailer, but I still haven't figured out 1) where to get a flat ribbon suitable for downrigger use, and B) how to keep the twist from making the downrigger ball spin.
Any suggestions?

fish-on-bend · 03-29-2010, 12:56 PM

Don't over think this. Just hum along......

:wh istle:

Klamanite · 03-29-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish-on-bend

Don't over think this. Just hum along......

:wh istle:

Maybe I don't understand the problem

Are you afraid the noise is spooking fish or are you just annoyed at the sound? Whichever the case may be, I'm with Joe on this one

I don't even notice the hum anymore and since I discovered the benefit of downriggers several years ago, I have had some incredible days on the water.......... Hum and all

Scotty M. · 03-29-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

I use the humming sound as a strike indicator. There is a change in the tone as soon as the line releases from the clip.

Me too!!

SGIndigo · 03-29-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish-on-bend

It has a different pitch depending on speed, depth, wind, lure etc.
If it bothers you, you can switch the steel out for braid.

Along those lines, does anyone out there use the Black Box positive voltage system? Wouldn't braid render that useless? I wonder which is better, having a steel cable and Black Box, or having something that doesn't conduct and not having to worry about it.

Then again, for most things my set back is far enough from the ball that it probably wouldn't matter anyway.

the flyman · 03-29-2010, 09:47 PM

I' curious, are you catching TROUT at a depth of 75 feet, try 9 to 12 feet of water, you may be suprised and no humn ! Huuumn

Klamanite · 03-29-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the flyman

I' curious, are you catching TROUT at a depth of 75 feet, try 9 to 12 feet of water, you may be suprised and no humn ! Huuumn

Try fishing for Macks and Kokes at 9-12 feet. There may not be any hum, but there won't be many fish either

moknots · 03-30-2010, 07:38 AM

What? I don't hear anything. 'Course, my wife also says I only hear her when she says dinners ready

Roperguy · 03-30-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGIndigo

Along those lines, does anyone out there use the Black Box positive voltage system? Wouldn't braid render that useless? I wonder which is better, having a steel cable and Black Box, or having something that doesn't conduct and not having to worry about it.

Then again, for most things my set back is far enough from the ball that it probably wouldn't matter anyway.

I have used the black box and I do think it works however, I changed over to braid recently. I figured smaller diameter braided line would cut through jellyfish better. anyway I gave my black box to my brother because "it don't work with braid".
Maury

jzell · 03-30-2010, 11:06 AM

I just crank up the tunes and the hum goes away.

jz

marthagofish · 04-04-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzell

I just crank up the tunes and the hum goes away.

jz

SOUNDS like a great way to spend the day.

What's the best music for catching Kokanee?
It's 5 oclock somewhere (Alan Jackson)
(or )
I'm going to miss her (Brad Paisley)?

Trout,myster · 04-06-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCFISHON1

hey im new to this trout thing and recently did a trip and was playing with the downrigger and at about 75ft down i noticed while trolling the downrigger cable would make a humming sound.im sure this is not good for catching and if there is a cure,any help would be great and if you think of anything else i should look out for on my new adventure then let her rip.

If you want to quiet it down easily, just take a bungee cord and fasten one end to the boat and then reach out and hook your cable after you let down. Cures the humming, but I didn't notice any increase in my catch rates. Now I just let the wires sing.