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new to the forum here.
how far behind the downrigger ball do you run your lure, I have been using them for about 10 years now, but never really talked to anyone that really now what they are doing. We have caught fish, but I wonder if the length behind the ball makes a difference. right now we only have it 15 to 20 feet back, but i read a post here saying they place the lure 75 feet back. and help would be appreciated.
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I used to run my line back a minimum of 100 feet at Strawberry. I often send a second lure down my fishing line between my downrigger and my ball, and I usually catch almost as many fish on that lure as I do the lure that is tied to the end of my line. After experiencing this, I have come to realize that it is not necessary to run the lure a long ways behind the boat. I now run the lure back no more than 35 to 40 feet behind the ball at Strawberry.
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Here is a thread that I got going on this exact subject:
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=139685;search_string=downrigger%20for%20trout;#139685"]Click here to go to the thread[/url]:
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Thanks guys this helps. I will try that next time out. We have not been neer that far out. maybe 10-15 feet out. I will have to try a hundred or so some time.
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It really depends on what lure you use, water clarity, and depth you lure is down. If i'm only down 18 feet, i will run it back farther, the boat spooks the fish, so farther back is better. If i'm down 80 feet, sometimes I will ron 12 feet back.I usually run cranks, spoons and flatfish 40 to 75 back. I like dodgers/flashers combos to be a little closer. They tend to lose thier action on a longer lead.On Lake Ontario we used to run 6 feet behind the ball for Kings!
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You never mentioned where you are fishing, but 10 to 15' back should catch lots of fish at Strawberry, unless it is late in the fall or early in the spring when the fish are often close to the surface. I think most people (including myself far too often) run the line back further than necessary, just because we think if back a little ways is good, back much further would be that much better.
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The answers to your question has probably made you dizzy...there are so many combinations!!! I usually fish, for example, 20' or so back if i'm dropping 35' or deeper. I let it out much longer the shallower i'm dropping.I like it when the fish are deeper,because when you mark fish, the lure is closer to the fish.I've also found that when I mark fish, I do a couple of S turns.That seems to really get their attention.Doing that makes the lures lower and rise,depending on which way you turn.You can watch the fish rise up to the lures (or the ball) on your graph, which sometimes just adds to your frustration when their not hungry!When their biting, you can almost call it when your going to hook up.
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I find speeding up just a little, then backing off really triggers strikes when you are seeing alot of fish around your lures. The other drawback with long leads, say 100', is that if you are running a large crankbait, it will dive so you have to consider that. If you had popgear back that far it would sink on an inside turn. I keep 'em short.
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i agree that if you are 20' deep or less you need to put back behind the ball further. the deeper you are the tighter to the ball you can be. sometimes when the fish are near the surface i put back 100' and then go down 5 to 10 feet. works great. you get the precistion depth, less weeds on your line, and you dont have to fool with leaded line or sinkers.
one thing that i'll mention- a lot of people ive seen using downriggers do this one thing wrong that really costs them fish. make sure that you reel the slack out and have a good bow in your rod. this will help you see every hit. (not just the hits that trip the release) one more thing is to remember to stay above the fish a foot or two. they feed and look upwards. sometimes a matter of a couple of feet can make a huge difference.
hope this helps. good luck, bkidder
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Most of you guys have had more experience than I have with downriggers but this seems to work for me. Use any combination which adds up to 60. For example, if the fish are 15 feet deep, go out 45 feet. If the fish are at 30 feet go back 30 feet. We use this guide up to fish at 45 feet then go back about 20 to 25 feet after deeper fish
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