Downrigger Weight Tip

Trannyman1 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2012 4:32 am

It is time to pass along a few things that I have found productive over the years of angling for kings. Back in the day when we had the huge algae blooms in Lake O, we ran a lot of different coloured rigger weights. Because the water was so green and in mid to late July a rigger weight would disappear 6 or 7 feet down. Back then we used weights as attractors. When I was chartering I had between 30 and 40 different coloured weights aboard. If we were running a green dodger & fly we would have a green weight in front of the rig. The same with blue, white, etc. Early in the morning white or chartreuse was very productive. We often changed rigger weights more than we changed lures in the spread.

Now since the introduction of zebra & quaga mussels and the Lake is so stinking clean we have gone to a stealthier presentation. The first thing a king sees coming at him is the down rigger weight. I have tried to make it as unobtrusive as possible and it works for me.

A little time and some paint is all it takes.

Recently, I have tried this flat black hammered version and it has killed the spread.

These are 12 pound weights and I hope to test a 15 pound version in the spring.

Al

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:21 am

Very interesting, I run a pair of torpedos just like those but in the stock gray, I also run a pair of hammered chrome sharks and I actually think the hammered chrome sharks attract fish

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:23 am

Just to add to Al, do not ever run your downrigger release off the back of the weight, if you have a flasher fly providing drag on the tail it will not properly track like it needs to

rtkman · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:28 am **Posts:** 528

Really LS? Even on a ball / fin type weight?

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:23 am

[quote="rtkman"]Really LS? Even on a ball / fin type weight?[/quote

Absolutely, think about the drag on the back of the fin or ball. That is rule number 1 about running downriggers. The weights are designed to swivel, by adding drag to the back of them they will not track properly.

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:25 am

read the hook up section in this link and you will understand http://www.sharkcannonballs.com/product_info.html

rtkman · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:28 am **Posts:** 528

Thanks that makes sense. I'm a rigger newb.

merkinbrumsky · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:50 pm

Great advice Trannyman. Thanks for sharing. Landshark...I think allot of people make the mistake of clipping their release to the ball....I know I did when I was first starting out. Especially important when running big paddles.

skunkedagain · **Joined:** Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:40 pm **Posts:** 244

Does this matter as much for lakers? We fish with round cannon balls and clip the releases to the back fin. We still meet with success, but it sometimes takes a long time. Should we be clipping them up the cable above the ball? I watched the hooking up section on sharks, and couldn't tell whether this only applies to the sharks.

tritondv18 · **Joined:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:36 pm **Posts:** 7

I had no idea! Thanks for that info...wish I knew that at the start of the derby! Next year I guess

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:04 am

Its not really about whether a fish will strike or not. It really shouldnt affect that. Its more of. Matter of just allowi g your weights to track correctly.

lake hound · **Joined:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:45 pm **Posts:** 45

Does the paint on the ball need to be specific? Or just any paint that will stick to lead. Has anyone played with UV paint?

sunrisecottageresort · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:24 pm

I use rubber spray paint. Very durable.

Trannyman1 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:41 pm

lake hound wrote:

Does the paint on the ball need to be specific? Or just any paint that will stick to lead. Has anyone played with UV paint?

A couple base coats of Dupont etching primer and then any brand and type of paint.

5 biologist/scientists in Michigan did a bunch of research on salmon seeing UV.
General and unanimous opinion was they can't, but they also said that if you prostaff for a tackle company don't send the research paper to them. :lol:

Later
Al

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Downrigger Weight Tip

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