Need Recommendations on downriggers

[Opie]

I have a chance to do some salmon fishing in the Great Lakes in July and wanting help on downriggers. I have never used them, but am quite familiar with the products and their operation. Thinking of manual riggers as I'm not sure how often they would get used. They would be going on a Ranger 620. I have had some sticker shock looking in the stores, no problem if I would use often, but for once a year or two, hard to justify it to the bride. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dean Thorn

[GenzisGod]

Use "the Bride" as a downrigger! Just kidding

[bigdog]

I have BigJon Manual and a Walker Manual. Both are the smaller sizes, can't remember the models. I prefer the operation of the Walker, it has a clutch/drag system that allows for one-handed operation.

[walleyewizard]

You have a Ranger 620 and you're worried about sticker shock?? Another kidder in the crowd! Actually, we have had good luck using pound balls on a 3-way and Dipsey Divers. Get a Chinook on a pound ball and you have a hand full! We also have electric riggers and are glad we went with the electrics. It's an expensive sport, but when you hook that 25 pounder you seem to forget about it. Good luck!

[walleyewizard]

Opie, I may have a pair of Rivieras for you. E-mail me at [email protected] if interested.

[jerkin'm]

I had similar questions and know little to nothing about downriggers. I fish Ontario for lakers in the summer and jigging isn't always effective. The kids seem more patient with the big motor running too. I have an old beater 18 foot crestliner and got some sticker shock looking at new ones as well. Any specific brand hold up better over time. Since I will probably be buying used ones? The dipsy and 1 pound weight thing sounds interesting too. What sort of depth do you get with that set up?

[ikes71]

I have used the cannon and big jon manuals and like the big jon's the best. If you watch HSOList and play your cards right you can pick them up cheap. I got four big jon captains pak manuals, two with the dual rod holders for under $600. That was two auctions.

The dipseys and pound balls can get you pretty deep, depending on the size of the dipsey, if you are using braided line, and how many feet back you want to run your hardware.

The first time I took my boat to lake michigan for salmon, I didn't have downriggers, and did alright. We had four rods, two dipseys and two weighted lines, a handfull of spoons and we had our ten kings before noon. We went on the cheap and you can catch the kings that way. If want to try this, go late in the season, during the week of labor day. We were about the only boat on the water out of the port and the four year olds are hanging in close. Can be a easy and economical trip for the walleye guy, just remember one tip, those four year olds really put the strain on your walleye stick baits, beef up your split rings and trebles. I have a few that made it through one fish and then had to retire it because the split rings were streched, a the trebles were bent. Man you gotta love it. 20lbs. line and they strip off 250 yards like nothing. Worth the effort.

[black max]

I would highly recommend getting some electric ones. I have a set of cannons on my boat and I use them enough where cranking up cannon balls would be a real pain, plus it saves alot of time. The manuals are going to save you about $100 each for the same down rigger, but in the long run you will want the electric ones.

[Nodak7mm]

I just moved back from MI's West Coast and before I left, I got 2 Walker "Striper" models, not made anymore but an awesome manual rigger and I got refurbed ones with swivel bases at 200.00 per. If you were to buy comparable new, probably spend 350 or better. Walker has one service center in the states and he is west of Kalmazoo. Old duffer but good to work with. If interested, email me and I'll give ya more info..

Rod