downrigger question

[GlassEyeangler]

are any of you using downriggers on smaller lakes in and around the metro? i grew up in OH fishing Erie, and tempted to throw a couple on the back of my boat. was wondering if anyone has had any luck on smaller lakes trolling depths of 20'+? targeting Eyes...of course.

[PerchJerker]

I have used downriggers but have never had them on my own boat. They are not very common with walleye anglers around here -- if you're fishing depths of 20-30 feet or so, you have options to reach those depths with deep running cranks, leadcore, snap weights, etc.

However, downriggers work for walleyes and if you want to run them, there's really no reason not too.

[tunrevir]

I think the biggest drawback to downrigging around the metro area is that there are an awful lot of weeds to contend with and in many instances you are making relatively short trolling runs. If your inclined to do so give it a try and report back with your results! We are all always looking for the next best thing for catching eyes.

Tunrevir~

[Steve Foss]

Tunrevir, it was the weed thing I was going to bring up, too. Lots of 'eye charters on LOW and other places use riggers in the big basins, but they don't have those weeds to contend with.

[Jim Almquist]

If you want to get deep but want to use your shallow running cranks you should get yourself some Torpedo Divers. The make several sizes so hitting your depth is no problem. I use them on Lake Superior with both plugs and spoons sending them down to 80' with no problem. You just clip them on your line when you think you have enough line behind the boat and then use the depth chart to determine your depth.

[trapperdirk]

Although not fishing in your area I do use ,riggers and torpedoes for eyes but my most consistent is steel line off a dipsey diver or leadcore off a planer board . I like the way a dipsey can be set to go off to the side trolling for deeper eyes especially once the surface temps get into the 70 to 80 range on bright days .

TD