Downriggers?

[Milkdud]

I know the basics of how downriggers work etc. but I am not to familiar with how to operate them or set them up. I was wondering if you are using crankbaits with a downrigger in 30 feet of water and you know the fish are tight to the bottom how far down do you put the downrigger ball? Would you put it down 20 feet and then let your crankbait dive down on its own or what?

[dirtking]

kinda depends on the crank bait - we usually set the balls for 5 feet off the bottom using tail dancers, shad raps, ect. Some plugs like to run deeper or shallower - if you are getting a bunch of junk on your lures form running on the bottom or they are tripping because you are on the bottom - move them up.