I recently purchased a boat suitable for inshore trolling. (Ambleside, Tsawwassen, Port Alberni ). Most of my fishing is done alone. If you have two lines out on downriggers and get a strike, what is the best way to deal with the fish and get the other line out of the way? When fishing with a friend on his boat one person always pulled up the free line and downrigger cable while the other dealt with the fish. So what is the best way to handle it when on your own?
Downrigger help
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I've used Cannon manuals in the past and they worked fine, with Mike's Reel Repair in Abbotsford being the closest dealer service shouldn't be an issue if you don't mind driving out there for parts.
I say this because they are stupid busy in the summer often not even having time to answer the phone :wallbash:, something to think about.
Anyway just maintain forward motion most Salmon rarely swim under the boat anyway (unless there's a Seal after him).
You'll soon finding that a super fast crank as soon as the fish takes will clear the rigger that's just been hit then you only have one to deal with.
Myself I'd rather run 2 lines off one rigger but that's me.
I say this because they are stupid busy in the summer often not even having time to answer the phone :wallbash:, something to think about.
Anyway just maintain forward motion most Salmon rarely swim under the boat anyway (unless there's a Seal after him).
You'll soon finding that a super fast crank as soon as the fish takes will clear the rigger that's just been hit then you only have one to deal with.
Myself I'd rather run 2 lines off one rigger but that's me.
even fishing alone, I would run 2 lines off of each rigger and therefore be fishing 4 rods at once. I have a buddy that fishes 6 at a time even when alone. Just keep moving forward after hooking a fish and worry about any tangles if they happen. Fish will usually run away from the boat so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Yes and No.JBB said:
There's better separation but it's vertical separation that matters not horizontal so much.
Some good info in RLN's response, I'd start with one downrigger/2 lines and learn to run the boat well with them then maybe add a line on a deep 6 planer something I didn't have much faith in years past but have seen work quite well locally.
EDIT-I think your decision to buy new is the right one no matter who's product you end up with.
There's a lot of second hand Scotty manual product on offer locally and it's all much too expensive.
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How many lines and how deep are four questions to me. If you are going to have lines shallow, with in 60' of the surface, only two may be the best. If you are winter fishing or want to have two shallowish and two deep that works too. However, when stacking lines always have good tension on the line when lowering. And don't lower it too fast. If you do - especially with flashers - the bottom line will till up as it goes down and the top with less drag will hit it. The biggest thing with fishing many lines at a time is to make sure you continue trolling - even with a fish - untill all lines are up. If it's a small fish you don't have to pull all the lines up but most times you do, when wind and current are put together.
Have fun, Jason
Have fun, Jason
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280 Posts
I would suggest running one line per side, or if only one rigger i would run two off the one and maybe a top water rod on the other side.
With manual riggers you will find this and steering the boat etc. will be ample to control until you get more used to it.
There are some pretty good deals around on used electrics and they will have you fishing four rods in no time because of the ease of retrieval etc.
With manual riggers you will find this and steering the boat etc. will be ample to control until you get more used to it.
There are some pretty good deals around on used electrics and they will have you fishing four rods in no time because of the ease of retrieval etc.
I fish regularly on my own with 2 manual downriggers . When a fish hits on one and is a substantial size, I play the fish a little and then each time he runs I do something with the other rod. Left hand holds hooked fish high while right hand cranks the empty rod like crazy to release from the clip. 2 hands on the fish when he stops running ..etc. I do this right up until the rod is in and both downrigger balls clear the water. By then the fish is all mine. It's difficult but worth the effort if you want to make sure all gear is out of the way.
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If using manual riggers and the fishing is good I prefer to stack 2 lines using only one rigger. When the fishing is good 2 lines is plenty. That way you only have to clear one line and one rigger. When fishing in Alberni or Bamfield, I often use a Tomic 158 or 602 plug on one of the lines. That way all you have to do is pop the clip and the plug floats to the surface, then the single rigger line is the only worry. I will run four lines on the riggers by myself if the fishing is slow, but it's a handful.
I have tried the Penn riggers and would personally recommend sticking to Scottys.
I have tried the Penn riggers and would personally recommend sticking to Scottys.
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Another vote for Scotties here as well. :thumbup:
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Exactly.... usually only pull the other dr in if its substancial, and do that when the fish is running.Brentsky said:
Fished 2 manuals for a long time solo
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One trick I have for quicly releasing the second line from its downrigger clip is to let the downrigger ball down a few feet. It's easy to do this while fighting a fish, and if you have electrics, you can then just auto retreve the ball all the way up. As for the line, it's like brentsky says, you just crank as fast as possible while the fish is running. I'm still perfecting the method, but I've made it work a few times.
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I was checking out some scotty lake downriggers. They are small and recomended 2-4lb weight. Anyone tried them. Sorry don't mean to hyjack guys . Just curious to know if they are worth it. I still like to do a little ocean fishing and don't want to get two sets. Just don't know how deep you guys go in the Van harbour?
Is that 10 lb minumum for the downrigger balls Dogbreath?
I ask because I have one salt downrigger and got a lake one for christmas. I'd planned to do the same thing as the previous poster.
If I was fishing relatively shallow with the flasher off the salt rigger and just a hoochie or spoon off the lake troll would this not work ok?
Or would it be better to just run 2 lines off the salt rigger. Both are Scottys.
I ask because I have one salt downrigger and got a lake one for christmas. I'd planned to do the same thing as the previous poster.
If I was fishing relatively shallow with the flasher off the salt rigger and just a hoochie or spoon off the lake troll would this not work ok?
Or would it be better to just run 2 lines off the salt rigger. Both are Scottys.
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