manual downrigger ??

[badfisherman]

My fiance took me on a fishing trip to Lake Michigan for my birthday. Now I'm completely obsessed with getting our boat ready for the great lakes. I hope to make a few day trips a year to superior. I just bought some dipsy rods and already have 2 rods set up with lead core. I've been looking at getting some inexpensive manual downriggers. Any one have any advice on which ones to get? I've been thinking about getting a set of scotty's. Or should I hold off on getting them and fish with dipsy's and lead core for now? Thanks in advance!

[yaggie]

Suggest searching sites for used electric. I was talked out of manual riggers and I am glad I have electric Big Jons. I wouldn't get caught up in any specific brands as you aren't going to wear them out unless used daily.

[tacklejunkie]

My fiance took me on a fishing trip to Lake Michigan for my birthday. Now I'm completely obsessed with getting our boat ready for the great lakes. I hope to make a few day trips a year to superior. I just bought some dipsy rods and already have 2 rods set up with lead core. I've been looking at getting some inexpensive manual downriggers. Any one have any advice on which ones to get? I've been thinking about getting a set of scotty's. Or should I hold off on getting them and fish with dipsy's and lead core for now? Thanks in advance!

If the budget is an issue, you can get some good used manuals for cheap. I use manuals on Lake Superior and they can be a chore winding up with a 12 lb ball but I have two of them that I bought used for around 100 bucks

[DocJpa]

Downriggers have their place in your arsenal of salmon tactics. Lead core and dipseys can catch a bunch of fish but there will be times when you need to go deeper and have more precise control. I would get the downriggers and have all bases covered when you make the trip over. You can find some great deals on line or on some of the fishing forums, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg. That salmon fishing an get in your blood, I know the feeling!

[badfisherman]

Thanks guys! I was looking around and a lot of the cheaper ones say they are only rated for 8#. I'm kinda thinking I would want to use 10# or heavier balls for Lake Superior? What do you guys think?