Blackbox

[Juice]

I have one but has not hooked it up. Had it for about 3yrs. i dont like to rush things. But one day out crabbing on Puget Sound with my bud Marty. He made a phone call to a co-worker who just happen to fishing that day out on the sound caught a fish and motored over to say hi and show us his big fish. He had a black box and i asked if it worked and he told me one day fishing on a river the state department of fish and wildlife can up to him and ask if they could interrupe his fishing and take a fish count. He said sure why not. And DFW put in two probes hooked to some sort of power supply and a ton of fish came to the surface. This guy told me it was unreal and he went down the next day and got himself a black box. He said his catch rate has been up. Just something to thing about. Jerry from Olympia WA

 

[Fishslammer]

I have a black box and used it once and some how the spiral ring fell off!! Anyone have a fix like say a SS ring with a tab for the electrical? Thanks

 

[kokanee-lou]

I have a black box and used it once and some how the spiral ring fell off!! Anyone have a fix like say a SS ring with a tab for the electrical? Thanks

When you bought your Black Box (Pro Troll?), the package came with the setup for two DRs. Scotty makes a black box, too, but much more expensive. Our local tackle shop carries replacement parts for the Pro Troll box on the shelf next to the boxes.

FYI for anyone wanting the best price I have seen on a Pro Troll Black Box, Sportco.com for $86.99. If you live near a Sportco, the store will honor the on-line price and saves shipping. I can't remember the post, but a grandpa had his grandkids out fishing and he had his Black Box on and they were catching fish. Then for no apparent reason, the fish stopped biting. He then noticed that some "little" hand had turned it up full blast. He reset the voltage and the fish started biting again.

 

[Fishslammer]

I was able to catch it before the other ring fell off. Pro Troll is actually right next door to my parts store in concord, ca but I contacted them and they don't sell directly to the public. I was trying to find a fix that I can just make myself. I'm still new to the whole trolling/black box thing but I'm loving it and doing well. Hope once I get this figured out fish will have no chance!!! Thanks Lou

 

[dragonfly]

OK fishslammer heres is a easy fix its about $1.00 and you can make about 4 of them. go down to any welding store and get an 1/8'' 304 SS welding rod they come in 3' lengths then take a nail and pliers and bend the small eye going past.(you will trim off the excess and flatted the eye later) this is for you wire conection. then get a 1/2 rod or a long 1/2 bolt and wrap 5 full wraps, cut and smooth off end. this is what I replaced mine with because it lays flatter and has more contact area here are some pictures of my procedure

 

[Fishslammer]

I actually have boxes of TIG rod at work! I'm going to make a few as well as an idea LOU had and see how they work

 

[autorick]

What pound and brand of braid do you recommend? Is the black box still a good idea if you are using braid in a metal boat?

 

[Fishslammer]

I actually tried braid before and I believe it was 80lb. It worked great! It was very quiet and less drag. Only down fall was that for some reason my fishing partner lost 2 weights! I tied both my side and his and for some odd reason he lost them. Now did he do something wrong like drop the weight? Probably!! But now with cable he hasn't lost a single one! As far as the black box goes it will not work with the braid. Current will not travel thru braid.

 

[dragonfly]

OK guys I don't want to sound like I am starting a fight or saying SS cable is the only thing to use, but, and you know if there anything out there better I will try it, or I will make something better, but I have seen no advantages in braid but higher maintenance. I run 4 down riggers 2106s hi speed and stick weights with snubbers and tried it on one a year ago and my findings were that it doesn't take abrasion or heat, doesn't stack well, the blow back wasn't noticeably different than the other 3., I have never had SS cable sing (although using snubbers will stop that) I will intentionally drag my weights when fishing for Mack's and I have never lost a weight. or was not able to get one unhung. I dont think I could say the same for braid. I do have the pro troll but I make sure my zinks are clean and the boat is wired correctly (it is .56 at the wire)and just use it to check boat voltage or bump it up to .6. I was on a friends boat and they are smokers and with his hand on the railing the cherry from his cigarette touched the braid and lost his weight,and both chamberlain releases he didn't have a spare weight so the fishing trip was cut short. I know I use mine harder than most people but if I am missing something please let me know.dfly

 

[mtncat1]

I don't want to be a downer but i used a black box for about three years and never noticed any differance in catch rates with or without it. it is not a magic bullet by any means.it did make the auto stop on my cannons not work and if you forgot it the weight would top out on the boom never was aproblem though because the spool drag would take care of any cable brakage concerns. hope this helps.