Down Riggers

[dragonfly]

here's some pictures of mine they are 370 scottys with the swivels they will work with balls if you use them

 

[SuperD]

The snubber goes between the cable and the weight to help absorb the shock of a bouncing weight on an extended boom. It does not do anything for hum which is just simple harmonics and a single harp cord in the way of a tight downrigger wire. With a Cannon downrigger, it aids in the auto stop by breaking the current slightly sooner than the weight reaching the surface. Again, won't do anything for hum.

 

[mrmike]

Won't to thank you for going the extra yard with the photo etc well appreciated/ photo worth a thousand words thanks again

 

[hooked4life]

kenbarb, I'm not familiar with 150# spectra braid. I would like to do the same with my Scotty's. How much line on the spool and how did you do it? Thanks

 

[dragonfly]

I don't know Dave I have 2 guys at work and pm's that were glad they tried it. the hum is a vibration and is caused by the boat and mount ( like I said I have taken there downriggers off there boats on the water and put them on my mounts and the the hum is gone ) and being a vibration you can ether fix the cause or put something on that will absorb it, that is where the snubber comes in. you could just buy one and see if it helps I am not saying it will work on every cable, but so far no one has said or pm me it didn't work. dfly

 

[SuperD]

A tight line is still ripping through the water so the physics are still there. I wonder if the snubber has just changed the frequency outside your trolling speed range. Either way, quiet is quiet I guess.

 

[kenbarb]

hooked4Life, You can get the Spectra 150# from Amazon at a really good price. Get the 1500 foot spool, I got the red color and really like it. Here's how I spooled it on: Make a clean cut on the end of the wire, make a very small loop, and crimp, mash the loop with a pair of pliers until you can barely get the Spectra through the loop, you can use any good knot to attach, it will never come loose or slip because it is compressed. I then used a piece of scrap plywood, drilled a hole for a 1/4" bolt, then bolted the spool on using a large diameter washer, also used a nylock nut so the pressure adjustment would not change, I then used a portable vise to secure the plywood, but you can also have a person hold the setup. With the spool setup directly below the tip of the downrigger boom (downrigger is mounted on the boat), I then spooled 700' of Spectra over the wire using the line counter on the downrigger. Then repeated the procedure for the second downrigger, I ended up using the entire 1500' spool. Use a leather glove to guide the Spectra on the downrigger spool so it is level, also adjust the nylock nut so the Spectra is wound on very tight. I am very happy with the Spectra, quiet, no hum, easy to handle, I'm sure you will like it too. If you need any other help let me know.

 

[hooked4life]

kenbarb, I think I understand, Did you just cut the wire at its end and did not strip any off, just added the Spectra over the wire? Thanks

 

[kenbarb]

hooked4Life, Did not strip any wire off, just cut at the crimp , and make the loop. The Spectra is much smaller diameter than the wire, when you finish there will still be a lot of space on the downrigger spool. One thing I didn't mention, due to the smaller diameter there is not nearly as much blow back on the ball. Use the Palomar knot for attaching the ball clip. You should also use a ball snubber, Amazon has a good price on them.

 

[downriggeral]

I recently received a pair of Cannon swivels (nice) that some friends were no longer using. I really liked the low profile compared to the Scotty swivels so I made adapters to put my Scotty downriggers on them. I used a 5 1/2x51/2" piece of 1/2" thick aluminum. Drilled and counter sunk the four holes to match the Cannon swivel. Then I drilled and tapped (1/4x20) four holes to mount the Scotty. Turned out great!- Alan

 

[dragonfly]

DR nice job on the adapter plate. thumbsup can you still lift the assembly to the up position and clear the gunnels? dfly

 

[downriggeral]

Hi dfly, Yes I checked that and all is well thumbsup That was the only thing I didn't think of ahead of time so dumb luck saved me on that one! Love it when things come together. - Alan

 

[hooked4life]

Thanks Kenbarb, I will give it a try.

 

[Plumber]

Been looking at Big Jon's lately can anyone tell what they think of them. I have not seen many of them around.

 

[portofthesea]

I have had 2 captains pak big Jon down riggers now for about 4 years. Although I haven't tried others I really have enjoyed them. Trouble free, but I bought because of the fact they are made in the USA.
T