Downrigger cable

[Bduck]

There was a time I was considering braid as an option but quickly concluded it would not be that good of an option for me, so steel cable is my preferred option. The below surface terrain in many of our lakes is a constant reminder of what made my mind up. Downrigger set at 60' in a 120' depth can rapidly have the weight dragging at 40'. I have lost my share of weights from snagging the bottom, some were recoverable and not so lucky with others. Bob posted up an excellent article of the pros & cons which I never would think of changing pulleys from plastic to aluminum if using braid. Not that I would change at all, this further reinforces my thought to stay with steel cable. Steel cable fraying happens which that section should be cut & removed. Kinking is also another result of cut & remove. I will NOT splice cable together as that is a weak point using crimps. Each of my 4 DR's have 200' which I can cut small sections away if needed not to exceed maybe 120' and I mostly troll 50-60' depth, but that's not a good leeway in case of a bottom hangup. I built up my tolerance of singing wire.


I use this type of custom SS stick weights a lot when
trolling. Never had an issue when they would drag bottom 
unlike fish style, cannon ball or pancake weights. These are 
great for not snagging. 

Who makes your SS stick weights or where do you buy them?

These weights were made by a former retired machinist who was a member of a couple other fishing forums.  He sold all of the ones he had. I grabbed up these 4 which are 8lb each. At the time, he also had heavier weight class for sale. I've had these for 10yrs+, since he has dropped off of the radar from the forums & doesn't respond anymore to inquiries. Also, he doesn't make the weights anymore.
As far as bottom bouncing, these are very good for stirring the bottom attracting lake trout. I've seen guys make them from rebar welded together, crude but effective. Another method in making your own is using galvanize pipe filled with lead. My SS weights are filled with lead too. There is also some heavy steel dowel one should be able to find available. 
If memory serves me, not too far in the past Dubob showed an interest in stick weights also. Maybe he will chime in with his 2cents.