What’s your downrigger and wire dipsy setup for your small b

Chewy · **Joined:** Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:04 pm **Posts:** 72

So, I am getting the itch to get on the water and will be mounting my new downriggers very soon, but I am unsure of the best way that makes the best use of space.
For instance, I will be mounting my riggers on my trolling bar that spans the entire 8’ from gunnel to gunnel on my 17’ dual console. Should I mount them straight back and have the balls around 8’ apart, or is that too close and risk a cross current tangling them up?

I have also seen them directly out making the balls 12’ apart, and back at a 45 degree angle making the balls about 10’ apart.

What do you guys and gals think?

How about the wire dipsy’s? Should I put them towards the bow or at the aft?

Thanks guys, as always, I appreciate the input!

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BigMac · **Joined:** Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:18 pm **Posts:** 1383

I would recommend getting swivel mounts, gives you the flexibility to decide on the fly when your on the water. I have swivels and run mine at 45 degree. As far as how far back; mine are mounted about 2 feet from the transom. You want them far enough forward to be able to get at the releases easily when setting lines etc.

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Chewy · **Joined:** Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:04 pm **Posts:** 72

Thanks for the input, Bigmac.

Swivel mounts are definitely on the list, but unless I find used, they will be either late season, or next season!

I will try out 45 degrees and see how it works for retrieval! Good point on how far back, I didn’t think about that.

Thanks again

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TheLandshark · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:56 pm

45° is fine and mount the dipsys to the aft so that the rods and wire clear rigger cables

polliwogg · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:27 pm

Keep a pair of side cutters at the riggers in case you have to cut the cables in a hurry.

Chewy · **Joined:** Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:04 pm **Posts:** 72

Landshark, I never thought of putting the wire rods aft of the riggers, I will play around and see what I can figure out! Thanks for the idea!
Polliwogg, I was thinking of getting two cheaper sets of cutters and attaching them to each rigger with some retractable wire. That way the kids don’t “walk off” with them! Thanks for the advice!

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TheLandshark · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:01 pm

No, I meant just bow side of the riggers.

Wordpecker · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:34 am **Posts:** 418

Chewy:

Wire cutters are a necessity for sure.

Something else, equally important: GOOD gloves (i.e. fish filetting gloves) when handling wire line. That could save you from numerous nasty cuts, abrasions, or quite possibly loss of a finger or two.

Above all, do NOT mount anything further forward than 2-4 feet from the transom, particularly with wire. That risks - virtually guarantees - full lock emergency turns will drag lines right across the shaft or prop.

Rgds, Wordpecker

thedrifter · **Posted:** Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:38 am

Wire on Riggers ?? Thats a thing of the past!! 250 lb rigger braid all the way forget wire. On a 17 ft you should use swivel bases because you will want 15 or 20 lb sharks and they are very heavy to get set up off the boom and you will have to much blow back meaning the weight will not track the transom. What are you fishing for Kings Bows or Lakers??
Also mount your diver holders on as long as track (Berts Track or another good track) as you can. some times the riggers are on fire that day sometimes the wire divers are on fire. Its nice to be able to move them to be able to keep the wire from touching the riggers line. What kind of riggers ?

Chewy · **Joined:** Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:04 pm **Posts:** 72

Wordpecker, I had never thought about an emergency turn when rods were placed to far forward. I believe you just potentially saved me a lot of repair/replacement $$$! Thanks so much for that tip! Good idea reference the gloves, they will be on board from now on for sure! I think I owe you a beer! Haha.

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Chewy · **Joined:** Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:04 pm **Posts:** 72

TheDrifter, I target kings and lakers semi-annually on the big lake, and back-lake trout for the remainder. I am slowly (very slowly) getting geared up the way I want to be (hobbies are hard with 4 kids! Haha), but for now I just got two manual cannons that I can’t wait to get onto the water! Swivels will be next year according to budget lol, so this year I will have to strain my back a little more than I’d like! Great idea for the tracks, I was debating getting into a few of those to be a little more flexible!

Besides my wire dipsy’s, you mentioned braid for the riggers, what is the benefit? Less blowback? How is braid for fleas? Thanks again for the advice!!

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TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat Mar 24, 2018 11:31 am

I tried braid on my riggers but never again. Although it was easier to use, I definitely noticed a difference in the lack of rigger hits

thedrifter · **Posted:** Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:49 pm

What in sam hell would make a differance in cable hits the hum ??? Lol well you should come out with us one day braid dose not kink nor dose it have positive charge it is soooo much easier to cope with the fleas it spools better its easy to tie a uni knot over a loop and double crimp. One kink in cable Bam you loose the whole rig . ........ i dought there is a pro out there that still uses cable unless for Cannon ion riggers but i cant think of any! Just sayin.

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat Mar 24, 2018 6:28 pm

I am curious as to what Scott and Al use? You can lose a rigger ball with a nick in the braid and no fleas attach to downrigging cable that I use.

pickerel killer · **Joined:** Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:28 pm **Posts:** 648

I wish I had pictures of a spool of braid on my rigger. It clogs the entire rigger up with fleas and just creates a giant mess! Run cable!

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What’s your downrigger and wire dipsy setup for your small b

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