Using downriggers

[Ely Lake Expert]

I was thinking about getting a couple of downriggers at some point in time to try in lake orebegone. I would primarily looking for walleyes, but I may also try for trout too. A couple questions. What are the best downriggers to buy for a reasonable price? What type and how strong of line should I use? What kind of rig? What kind of bait?

Thanks in advance,

Ryan

[SteveWilson]

How deep are you planing on trolling. I have a couple of manual downriggers that I use mainly in less than 50' of water. If I was out on the big lake I would probably go with electric downriggers. As for bait, you can use whatever you want. I like the precise depth control I get with downriggers which allows me to use pretty much anything in the tackle box. I especially like being able to use floating Rapala's at depth on fairly light line.

[Ely Lake Expert]

The lake I want to try gets around 500 feet, but I sure hope the walleyes aren't at that depth. Realisticly 30 to 70 feet I plan on trying for the walleyes and potentially deeper for the lakers and rainbows. I would probably try rapalas myself. Do you think 8lb test in enough? Also, how much does a manual downrigger cost, approximately?

[cylinder]

Quote:

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I like the precise depth control I get with downriggers which allows me to use pretty much anything in the tackle box.

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Do you also use a spinner/crawler rig? Do walleyes bite hard enough to pull the line free from the snap? I've been thinking of trying it on suspended fish but didn't know if it would be worth trying for this reason.

[SteveWilson]

yep, you can also use a rubber band around your line and then attach to the release for walleyes. Even with the release issues I find the downrigger/Medium Light rod/lighter line combination to be more sensitive than using Rapala Tail Dancer, DT 16's, Dipsey Divers, or Lead Core. The Jet diver is probably next best. You can also run a couple of bottom bouncers stright back and then shoot downriggers wing to wing (need a fairly long boom though) and cover a couple of depths - depends on how many people you have on your boat.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Steve,

Do you think floating jigheads with live bait and a big splitshot 2 feet up the line would work?

[cylinder]

Thanks for the info. I might give it a try this summer.

E.L.E: I doubt that you'd need the split shot if you're using a downrigger. The ball will take it to the depth you want. Maybe use a "floater" that's more neutrally buoyant if you're going to have much line out behind the ball, or a plain hook with some beads or a piece of a grub if you want to dress it up.

[Ely Lake Expert]

thanks cylinder. I have only used downriggers once in my life and that was many years ago on the big pond so I actually don't know much about them.

[cylinder]

I've been thinking of attaching my underwater cam to the ball too to see if I'm going past fish that don't bite. Most of the time I get so relaxed out there after the stress of work that I don't have the energy to try all the things I'd like. I just like to sit and watch the eagles & loons & beavers.

[bigdog]

I have a Walker and Big Jon, both manual. I prefer the Walker but both work well. I think they run around $120.00.