Directional Downrigger Weights

[Royal Dutchman]

I think I want to try some directional downrigger weights to spread my lines a bit.

Does anyone have experience with them (pro or con)?

I run 8lb'ers but can only find 12lb directional. Any ideas where to find 8lb directional?

Thanks!

[Tom Linderholm]

Try googling pancake weight, should guide you to what you seek. I use 8# pancakes from Marine General here in Duluth.

They work fine on my out downs, never had a tangle even in heavy currents.

[Surface Tension]

As Cheffery said the fin on the pancake weight can be bent.

You also have the option of putting a winger in between the ball and cable. To rig a winger you tie on 2' of weed wacker line to the downrigger ball. The other end is tied to the winger. Now snap your downrigger cable to the top of the winger. As you troll the winger will pull the ball out to the side. This is a common setup when you run 4 downriggers. The outdowns(outside riggers)would have the wingers. I'd recommend using balls when you use wingers.

[Royal Dutchman]

Thanks guys! I've obviously got some time to pull this together so would like to get as much info as possible to make the right choice.

I wondered about bending a pancake but not sure of the best way to go about it. Any tips?

Sorry to be so ignorant but what exactly is a winger and where do I find them?

Sounds like things might get a bit strung out & I would be hanging over the side putting line in the release. With a winger & 2' of weed-eater line, how far below the boom is my release going to be?

Thanks again!

[Surface Tension]

A winger is planing device. You'll have to find a shop that carries a large selection of Lake Superior trolling gear.

Fisherman's Conrner or Marine General in Duluth has them.

Use a shaker style release attached to the ball, that would be a pinch pad type with a a cable and snap.

If your boat is so low to the water then you could shorten up the trimmer string.