DownRiggers

[Ell]

As I understand it these things are used to place a lure or pirk at a certain depth and are ideal for trolling. Does anyone know anything about this piece of equipment and how it works? I\'ve done a quick Google search and apparently some of them emit electric currents which also attract fish

[ChrisPy]

I have used these in the States. Basically a winch with a spool of stainless wire and a depth counter. On the end is a weight, which is shaped so it will not spin, of between 4lb and 10lb. Just above the weight is a clip to which you fix your fishing line.

The idea is to look at your depth on the fishfinder and then clip on your main line leaving the lure or livebait on a long trace and lower the downrigger letting out your main line in tandem to a depth just above the bottom. Yout troll this at a slow speed, about 2 knots for a livebait and up to 6 for a lure. When you get a bite the clip releases the main line and you play the fish without a weight on your line.

They work brilliantly for fish in Florida but the price of a decent rigger puts me off having a go over here. I would immagine they were good for bass, pollack and tope in our waters.

[Ell]

Cheers Chris

just had a quick shufty, they\'re not cheap as you say.

http://www.bestfishingtackle.co.uk/acatalog/Downriggers.html

[Edited on 4/4/2004 by Ell]