Downriggers

Only since the downrigger made its debut about 15 years ago have anglers been able to fish areas with uneven bottom surfaces in deep water with any degree of success. Contrary to the beliefs of many, the downrigger is not a gigantic fishing rod, although it must certainly look like one to the novice. How often have I been asked, jokingly and in all seriousness, if I was going to fish for tuna with "the largest fishing rod"? The downrigger is simply a mechanical aid to allow fishermen access to very deep water with standard fishing gear. (Figure 5-6.)

The basic design of the downrigger incorporates the use of a very stiff rod (or arm), either two or four or six feet in length, with pulleys, a substantial reel (pulley-shaped reel) to hold as much as 300 feet of 150-pound-test braided stainless wire, and a mounting device to attach it to the decking of a boat, which may swivel from side to side or swing up and down. Terminal equipment includes the use of a very heavy weight, seven and a half to 12 pounds, in either a ball or a fish shape and, most important, a release mechanism with which to fasten your standard fishing line. Release devices differ quite noticeably between manufacturers and should be chosen to suit an appropriate need. The more up-to-date downriggers may employ electric motors to wind line up or down, and some of the very expensive models have temperature probes built into the weight, with an LED readout incorporated into the downrigger body or mounted on the deck.

Although it would be nice to own the Cadillac of the fleet, it will accomplish no more than the lower priced models and the money saved will leave you additional funds to purchase a better rod and reel or perhaps some new lures. Standard equipment is all that is required for fishing for lake trout. Although there are certain advantages between alternative rigs, minor faults can be omitted with a few adjustments.

Ideally an eight-foot medium action graphite rod with a quality level wind reel spooled with premium six- to ten-pound-test monofilament is all that is needed, however, almost any rod will do. Most certainly, the spinning reel can be employed, provided you are careful not to allow line twist when you are lowering the rig into the water.

Terminal tackle used with downriggers is extensive and one should keep in mind that when rigged there is no way of manipulating them to enhance their attractiveness to the fish, so choose them for their activity. Lures that do not provide their own action are poor fish-getters, no matter how good they look on the shelf. Floating minnow baits, either solid or jointed, flutter light spoons, or banana baits like the flatfish are a few of the very effective trout lures.

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