Size of weights for downrigger

[Gene]

Hello all,


I am in a delima, everyone is talking about 6-10 lb weights. I run 4lb going 1.0 to 1.8 mph in about 70 feet of water. at what point do i need to move up in weight? thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[SuperD]

From all of us that are fishing with the heavier weights, we'd say you're past it. 4 lbs at 70' deep and 1.8 mph is a heck of a lot of sway back. If you'd want to have the confidence that you are actually fishing in the depth your downrigger tells you, you jump up in weight.

 

[Gene]

do you think 6-7 lb would be good ?

 

[Kokonuts]

DR weights

do you think 6-7 lb would be good ?

What kind of D..R. are you using? I use 7-8 lb. Pancakes on my Scotty # 1085

thumbsup.....Kokonuts

 

[jestfishin']

Hi Gene. At the depth and speeds you describe I wouldn’t go anything under an 8 pound ball weight and I’d probably opt for a 10 lb weight if I did a lot of trolling at 1.8 mph. I think the 8 lb weight is pretty ‘standard’ nowadays for most applications. At nearly 2 mph I suspect that your 4 lb weight must be trailing your boat at a fairly severe angle, and thus losing quite a bit of depth accuracy.

 

[Gene]

thank you

my down riggers are scotty 1080's same as the 1085's but the boom is shorter (24 inch) bought these because my boat is 15 feet long only. I think I will get some 8 lb weights then. the scotty manual said to use 4 lb at the depth and speed I am at, but i will trust the guys with the everyday trial and error under their belts.....thanks

 

[Gene]

difference between pancake and round

what is the diff. between pancake and round weights ?......man im crazy new at ths LOL

 

[jestfishin']

Pancake weights are more or less just what you’d imagine….large circular weights that are more or less flat with a straight rudder. Round weights are just that. A round cannon ball looking weight with a short fin for a rudder. I don’t honestly know which one is the more popular or effective. I happen to use the ball design simply because they came free with my Cannon downriggers

 

[Gene]

same for me

yah thats how I was I previous had a cannon and the downrigger pack had a round weight so thats all I know

 

[Bduck]

Pancake weight have the amount of resistance(less swayback) even at higher trolling speeds. I used 8lbs for a long time but with some of the lures today requiring faster trolling speeds, I went to 10lbs. They are the one's that Mossback 835 is selling. For the price I couldn't find a better deal and he does an excellent job making them.

 

[SuperD]

For Gene it is a fine line where to stop. Easy for us with electrics to tell the guy with manuals to heep on the weight. Go with 8's as a compromise for now.

 

[twisted lines]

Maybe a 4lb weight will get rid of that streak across my screen. laugh hyst

 

[Gene]

so much help

thanks D , and to everyone on this forum, I am addicted

 

[Propnut69]

Lots of good info here for ya Gene. As SuperD said For Gene it is a fine line where to stop. Easy for us with electrics to tell the guy with manuals to heep on the weight. Go with 8's as a compromise for now. I remember when I had manual DR's and even a small 6lb weight can feel like 20lbs at the end of the day.

The best weights I ever used were banana shaped weights,to bad they aren't made anymore.

 

[Gene]

thanks

think im gonna try to get some 8# off mossy, they look super good ! spent $20.00 on a four pounder now that i think of it someone should throw it at me !!

 

[SilverBullets]

The 8lb is a good size...less sway back when useing ball trolls, plus they hang more vertical if you want to track the ball with the fish finder. If you don't care for seeing the line from the ball on the sonar, just adjust the transducer forward a bit.