Downrigger Pulley's

[Bduck]

While out fishing in 20 degree weather, the pulleys on my downriggers would get wet and the moisture would freeze up not allowing the pulley's to rotate. Although the cable still went up & down, I have to start thinking about replacement of the pulley's since there may be a flat spot cut into the pulley's. There not very expensive to replace but what I was wandering is there an anti-freeze solution that could be applied to prevent such lockup during cold weather? Who else has experienced this?

 

[SuperD]

Roger, what would standard radiator anti freeze or RV tank anti freeze do?

 

[DLM]

How about a spray can of window de-icer and give it a shot now and then.

 

[Bduck]

Dave, I thought about radiator anti-freeze but hadn't thought of the RV type. That might be a better idea but don't know if it would be as durable.

DLM, the de-icer is a very good idea. A quick blast would probably give instant freedom of rotation.

I wasn't expecting such cold temps to slam us this late in the season, maybe 30's but not single digits into the 20's. It was instant freeze when water got on something.

 

[ZONKER]

On the rocks

I would look at diesel aditive that keeps diesel from jelling in cold weather. I think if you were to have a little squirt bottle and just squirt a little on the shaft the roller and sides they would keep on rolling along.101chromefish101101chromefish101

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Roger, You're the only guy I know that uses downriggers during the "HARDWATER" season. laugh hyst

A trick used by ICE FISHERMAN is a can of PAM cooking spray. We spray it on the auger so the water beads up and runs right off. If it freezes instantly, it still doesn't stick to the oil film. Also we use it in the hole to keep the water from freezing. Dropping the lure through this oil slick doesn't seem to taint the lure either.

One last option would be to WAIT FOR WARMER WEATHER! 101duh101

 

[Petty4life]

wd-40 water displacer formula 40nananana

 

[Kokaholic]

I was also going to suggest Pam like smoke did and also petty with WD-40.

 

[gonefishing]

Here is a small simple suggestion.

This is a good preventative item to use and you can use it to de-ice if you forget to put it on before you head out.

This product is designed to work in questionable weather conditions and will wash off with soap and water when you are finished using it. It is also naturally slippery so will help with lubrication in bad weather. It is not for replacing WD-40 and so on for normal care.

Prestone Ice and Frost Sheild. Comes in a spray bottle and is easy to use!

Not sure if this would affect lures, but it should not get on them anyway. It takes very little of this product to solve this issue if you spray early.

Cost at Walley World is under $3.00!

You can also Keep a propane Blow Tourch that lights with a trigger pull and does not need matches. Safe distance is recomended, but this can safely warm things up.101idea101

Happy Fishing...........In warmer weather

 

[Bduck]

I was more in staying away from toxicity and/or contaminates. But that may not work too well. The idea of de-icers have my attention and even the RV anti-freeze could be a good solution. I don't know if I'll be back on a lake this season while cold weather is still lurking(probably will) but next year will be a definate focus on getting something to keep on hand.

 

[WAD]

pulleys freezing

Im with Petty get rid of water get rid of problem WD-40

 

[kelson]

I would lube them well prior to heading out and bring an extra thermos or two with some hot water to douse them with. If re-freezing is a continual problem I would spray them with WD40.....for sure. It is biodegradable, cheap, and I know some salmon fishers who actually spray it on their lures/bait.

 

[SuperD]

How long do those gel pack hand warmers last? Zip tie one to the boom!

 

[BROWNBAGGER]

I would test anything you use first. try it now on something other than the pulleys (at home), it could be anything. I would look for what it dose long term. I know WD-40 when it drys out becomes tacky. At work we are not allowed to use it because of this. I would hate to see you have to clean up your cable and pulley system or worse have your pulley seeze up.

 

[MMDON]

I have a "bit" of experience with fishing in winter. tooexcited

A de-icer sprayed on the pulley is the answer and what ever you do, don't pour hot water on your pulley. It will remove any lubrication that is there and hot water becomes cold water quite quickly.