| So, you're sittin' back watching the waves with | | | | A downrigger has many components, and each one |
| downriggers out your boat, you must be fishing for | | | | plays an important part. One of the biggest mistakes |
| lake trout or something right? | | | | made when setting one up the is not using enough |
| WRONG! | | | | weight. |
| Yes it's true more and more people are using down | | | | This can greatly increase your chances of a wildly |
| riggers of all things to fish for and catch more | | | | successful fishing trip: |
| Walleye. | | | | Walleye migrate through the water, and may be |
| In spots like Lake Erie where the water runs deep, | | | | suspended at a specific depth. The weight helps to |
| this can be an utterly devastating stealth tactic to | | | | ensure that the lure or bait stays at the desired |
| use to bring in more fish. | | | | feeding depth, which is where the fish are suspended |
| Walleye fishing means trolling for most anglers, and | | | | at. |
| these items can be very effective in increasing the | | | | If the weight you are using is not sufficient, which is |
| number of Walleye you catch. | | | | a common mistake, the results will not be as good, if |
| Downriggers include several different components | | | | you see any results at all. |
| and must be properly set up to work effectively and | | | | Make sure that the weight used is at least eight |
| efficiently. If you're new to using them to walleye | | | | pounds, but usually should be no more than ten |
| fish, you may be wondering how to set one up the | | | | pounds. Consider your boat size when buying one, |
| right way, so more fish are caught during the fishing | | | | because small boats may not be able to handle large |
| trip. | | | | ones without experiencing some problems. Do not |
| A downrigger uses technology to improve the results | | | | buy too much downrigger for your boat. |
| of trolling. A spool of wire is mounted on your boat, | | | | Once you know where the fish are and the depth |
| and this is the downrigger wire. A weight, which can | | | | they are hiding at, it is time to start fishing. |
| vary in size depending on the location, the situation, | | | | Attach the downrigger ball to the wire, and then |
| and the angler, is attached to the wire, and then the | | | | swivel the downrigger to ensure an angle to the boat |
| release is attached to the wire as well, underneath | | | | hull that is approximately forty five degrees. |
| the weight. | | | | Attach the pressure clip to the ball. Next you need to |
| A release is attached to the wire, and this is what | | | | rig the and bait the rod that you will use. Let the lure |
| your fishing line hooks into. | | | | out a significant distance, anywhere from twenty |
| The downrigger allows anglers to control the depth | | | | five to one hundred feet, and then form a loop with |
| very precisely, so the bait can be offered at the ideal | | | | the line and attach the loop tip into the pressure clip. |
| depth when the Walleye are hanging in the water | | | | Release the wire while simultaneously letting out the |
| feeding. | | | | fishing line on the rod, making sure the same rate of |
| The release will release your fishing line when a hit | | | | release is used for both. |
| occurs, and you use your rod and reel to bring in and | | | | Once the desired depth is reached, lock it into |
| land the Walleye. | | | | position and set the reel drag. The purpose of a |
| This means there is no need for heavy weight on | | | | down rigger is to keep the right amount of tension |
| your line, and in this way it's easier to fish and catch | | | | on the line while keeping the bait at the specified |
| more Walleye. | | | | depth in the water. |
| A winch, which can be either manual or electric, is | | | | By definition, using downriggers is a pretty "hands |
| used to put your line and bait right at the desired | | | | off" approach once everything's set up. But the thrill |
| depth for the fish. | | | | from cranking in a monster fish is still just the same |
| This is considered a controlled depth fishing method. | | | | (or better! |