Downrigger Weights

SilverBullets · Apr 12, 2009

What kind of weight do you use? I've been useing 8lb balls for years now, but thinking of making the switch to pancakes. If I'm presently able to see the balls on the fishfinder, would I still be able to with pancakes? Would you say blow back is cut in half, and is there any problems making sharp turns with the pancakes? Also, how much does bending the fin change their tracking? BTW...useing Scotty1060 manuals.

FishHunter · Apr 12, 2009

I have been using 10lb pancakes for 3 seasons now. I like them much better than the ball weights because there is less blow back. I can see them on the fish finder just fine. You still have to be careful about really sharp turns, but I have never had any problems with tangles. I have never bent the fins to get a different tracking action to them and don't think I would.

DC18FT · Apr 12, 2009

10lb lead fish.....

Bryon

Kokonuts · Apr 12, 2009

I just started using a 10 lb. Pancake this year.

twisted lines · Apr 12, 2009

I have 10s that I purchased and they actually weight 9, I use them when I want to see the last wrap of cable on my downriggers, and use 8s most of the time; pancakes only! and yes they show up just fine. Tracking Only twisted once and the were 15s Very deep none of it was mine but it sure was a surprise to see the cables come up in front of a big pair of Honda's.

SuperD · Apr 12, 2009

Pancakes when I'm anywhere near structure or bottom and chrome sharks when I'm fishing suspended over deep, deep water.

Bduck · Apr 12, 2009

I have had no problem seeing my ball 8 pounders on the sonar. Going up to 10lbs. soon. Not sure of style yet.

SuperD · Apr 12, 2009

One of the nice features of a pancake is the wide profile and big flat fin. It allows you a large surface area to tape up.

HiTechKoke · Apr 12, 2009

I need all of the above for that poll here.

Pancakes are usually my main weights most of the time.

Kokanee Killer · Apr 12, 2009

6lb ball when we do use them.

jekern1015 · Apr 12, 2009

I've been using fish shape don't remember what they weigh. One has a scent dispenser.

Propnut69 · Apr 13, 2009

I use pancakes weights ,but have two fish shaped weights as back -ups. Way back in the day I used banana shaped weights. They were absolutely the best weight that I have ever used. Almost impossible to hang up,but them seem that have went the way of the dodo bird.

Sportfishinsteve · Apr 13, 2009

I use the 10lb fish weights. I do get some blow back when fishing shallower. I spray mine with bedliner spray so the electrical current from the downrigger stays in the correct range

Fallriverguy · Apr 13, 2009

I use the ball design, but will switch to pancake through attrition.

TBtoad · Apr 14, 2009

I switched to pancakes last year and really like them.They show up fine on the sonar. I don't notice that much difference when turning.
TBtoad

SmokeOnTheWater · Apr 16, 2009

When I started downrigger fishing I used the standard 8# cannon balls simply because Cabela's threw them in for free. Now I use 10# pancakes just like SuperD without the fin flash. They were green vinyl coated when they were new but after unintentially bottom bouncing them the leading edge started to chip and peel. Last year I completely stripped them of their vinyl coating and sprayed them with the DIY bedliner. This coating didn't last long at all eventhough very little bottom bouncing occurred. This year I'm recoating them with red Plasti Dip. Red was recommended in a very detailed Kokanee fishing article I read once. I'll give it a try and let the forum know the outcome after the season is over unless I read a post telling me to STOP, Don't Do It! Anyway, the pancakes track very well and like Twisted Lines stated, they are actually closer to 9#. They show up extremely well on the finder (no doubt what your seeing) and the blowback is definitely less than cannonballs. I like their stability and true tracking too much to start tweeking the fins. My luck would be to suffer really twisted lines. Maybe that's how he got his name?????

jzell · Apr 20, 2009

Just got my pancakes and gave my 8# balls to Fish-on-bend in Central Oregon.

Might have to add some tape.

jz

AFDan52 · Apr 21, 2009

I use the 8 and 10 pound cannonballs , but I really would like to have some more Panckae weights.

Big Al · Apr 21, 2009

I like the Fish mold. The ones that I make are 10.5# and work good for me.

Fishon18 · Apr 23, 2009

I started with 8lb ball shaped weights then changed over to the 10lb pancake type. Taped up fins that turned out cool! Seems to have less blow back on the downrigger cable too.

Scott

Downrigger Weights

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