What Is A Downrigger?
Downriggers are one of the most vital pieces of equipment to use when fishing. Most serious fisherman will either have one or be looking to add one to their fishing gear but what exactly, are they?
A downrigger is a piece of equipment used to lure fish when fishing at certain depths. It is typically 3-6 feet and is a rod that hangs over the side of the boat.
Attached to the end are a steel cable and cannonball. To get the bait deep into the water, you simply attach it to the cannonball and drop it carefully down. When the fish takes the bait, the clip releases and you are able to reel them in.
Downriggers are particularly useful for catching salmon. Salmon have a tendency to hang around the area where bait fish are which is known as the ‘strike zone, however, it’s crucial to get the depth exactly right because if there is any deviation from this area the salmon will simply ignore the bait.
A downrigger allows you to position bait in the correct spot to attract the salmon.
Construction
So, how are downriggers designed? There are 5 main parts that make up a downrigger, let’s have a look at their functions:
Boom arm
This part of the downrigger provides the extension that is needed for the cannonball to be positioned safely at the rear of the boat. It also protects the rear of the boat, preventing contact.
In addition, it also enables you to change the angle of the downrigger depending on where you’re trolling.
It’s a useful feature if you are using several downriggers at one time, as you can space out the rods equally, which reduces the risk of the lines getting tangled.
Wire Cable/Winch
A wire cable is connected to the cannonball. The cable has a breaking strain of around 150lb (ca. 68 kg).
It is possible to swap the wire to a braided line, and some fishermen prefer this because it solves the issue of the high pitch noise that is created when the cable is under tension.
Some people don’t mind this and consider it useful in identifying when a fish is taking the bait as the noises cease. It’s all down to personal preference.
The winch has a spool that houses the wire cable and is used as a way of increasing depth or reducing the amount of line when wanting to fish in shallower water.
In addition, the winch has an integrated clutch, which helps if you accidentally snag the bottom with the weight of the cannonball. It allows you to turn off the boat engine and prevents further damage.
It also helps you control the speed at which you lower your downrigger and achieve the right depth. The winch is used consistently and is an essential part of the downrigger.
Cannonball And Release Clip
The cannonball is the weight that helps keep your downrigger with the bait at the desired angling depth. These come in different dimensions and weights from 5lbs to approximately 15lbs.
If based in the UK a weight of about 8lb (3.63 kg) will suffice for the waters, but you may need to increase it if fishing in other countries.
For example, if the water had a heavy flow or if you are fishing at larger depths then you definitely need to choose a heavier cannonball.
Release clips are snap links that are fixed to the cannonball’s eyelet. The snap link is part of a piece of wire that attaches to a spring clip that grips the rod.
Most settings are adjustable, which is useful when using bait that creates more resistance. Increasing the tension will prevent the bait from being released too early.
Release clips can be temperamental, and some fishermen don’t like them as they can be too tight, causing issues with the fishhook.
The best way around this is to create homemade hooks, which is cheap and easy to do.
What Downrigger Should You Decide?
If you’ve decided a downrigger is a good investment, and you want to purchase one, where do you start in the selection process?
Firstly, you should identify exactly what you need from a downrigger and remember that anything you select must be compatible with your specific boat.
Manual
If you don’t own a boat, and you do your fishing from a hire boat, then a manual clamp on a downrigger is a good option.
They contain simple clamps that you can tighten and attach to the edge of your boat. They are super easy to attach and remove.
Electric
Electric downriggers use an electrical winch for raising the cannonball weight. Some electric models contain a feature that enables you to pre-program the depths you require, making it much easier to modify bait depths with a press of a button.
Electric downriggers are perfect for angling in really deep water and are extremely easy to use, especially when fishing alone. They are quick and convenient.
The downside is that they are more expensive than their manual counterparts, they also require more maintenance and can drain batteries quickly.
Fixed Mounts
Fixed mounts are super strong and sturdy and the best option, especially if you own a boat. Although they may take a while to fix the boat since attached properly, you don’t need to worry about them. Use nycloc nuts and ensure that the downrigger is flush against a solid surface.
Fish Finder
When using a downrigger it’s essential that you use a fish finder. It’s important that you understand the depths at which you are fishing and be aware of any hazards that may be lurking underwater.
On rare occasions, a downrigger has come apart from a boat and caused damage, and it’s also possible that the boat could be capsized completely.
Using a fish finder will help you stay in control and help you from going down too deep.
Fishing is a lovely pastime for those seafaring individuals, using a downrigger will increase the pleasure of this activity and make catching fish even more pleasurable.
