03-16-2007, 04:51 PM
I have one of those fold up boats; Portabotes. I’m thinking about buying a clamp on mini-downrigger for it. Cabela’s has one called a Mini-Laker that seems perfect. Spec’s on it are that it’ll take up to a 6 lb weight, and it has ONLY 100’ of cable.
I have never fished with downriggers before, so I’m trying to figure out where and for what species this could be used. I was mainly thinking this was for the Gorge, but I’ve read other downrigger posts here that say that 100” of cable for the Gorge is not enough.
I’ve searched a fair amount of posts on many forums, and I thought this was an interesting comment:
[#800000]There is sooooo many different ways to get stuff down its almost insane. I think for the guy who is looking for a cheap and effective way to get down, snap weights have to be one of the better options. Better than permanently connected weights, cheaper than downriggers, and unlike steel line, they wont damage your guides. They dont have as much drag on them as dipseys either. But they have thier own downside. If you snag one, its lost. Nice that they clip on and off the line when fighting fish, but not so nice when you snag one. But if you have to break off the line you loose connected stuff as well, so its kind of a trade off. One nice thing is you can use snap weights with planers or whatever. I just stick with downriggers, but like everything else they arent perfect. Gadgets gizmos and garbage. Theres one out there for every type of fisherman, it just depends on wich one catches your eye.[/#800000]
So can 100’ work in the Gorge? If not, any other thoughts on waters where a downrigger would work, and for what species?
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer. I’ll be watching this thread all day, and I’ll be responding as quickly as anyone (hopefully) writes.
Gotta get my house in order here; ice-off is happening everywhere…
[signature]
I have never fished with downriggers before, so I’m trying to figure out where and for what species this could be used. I was mainly thinking this was for the Gorge, but I’ve read other downrigger posts here that say that 100” of cable for the Gorge is not enough.
I’ve searched a fair amount of posts on many forums, and I thought this was an interesting comment:
[#800000]There is sooooo many different ways to get stuff down its almost insane. I think for the guy who is looking for a cheap and effective way to get down, snap weights have to be one of the better options. Better than permanently connected weights, cheaper than downriggers, and unlike steel line, they wont damage your guides. They dont have as much drag on them as dipseys either. But they have thier own downside. If you snag one, its lost. Nice that they clip on and off the line when fighting fish, but not so nice when you snag one. But if you have to break off the line you loose connected stuff as well, so its kind of a trade off. One nice thing is you can use snap weights with planers or whatever. I just stick with downriggers, but like everything else they arent perfect. Gadgets gizmos and garbage. Theres one out there for every type of fisherman, it just depends on wich one catches your eye.[/#800000]
So can 100’ work in the Gorge? If not, any other thoughts on waters where a downrigger would work, and for what species?
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer. I’ll be watching this thread all day, and I’ll be responding as quickly as anyone (hopefully) writes.
Gotta get my house in order here; ice-off is happening everywhere…
[signature]