Mastering the Technique of Using Downriggers for Deep Fishing

How to Use Downriggers for Deep Water Fishing

When it comes to fishing in deeper waters, downriggers are one of the most effective tools for increasing your chances of catching fish. A downrigger allows anglers to precisely control the depth at which they fish, making it ideal for targeting species that live in deeper parts of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. By using a downrigger, you can keep your bait at the perfect depth while trolling, ensuring that you’re fishing where the fish are most likely to be. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using downriggers for deep water fishing and how they can improve your fishing success.

Using Downriggers for Deep Water Fishing: What Is a Downrigger?

A downrigger is a device that consists of a downrigger ball (a heavy weight component), a downrigger reel, and a line release mechanism that allows you to lower your bait to specific depths while trolling. The downrigger ball is lowered into the water, and the fishing line is attached to the release mechanism, which ensures that the line stays at the desired depth.

Downriggers are commonly used for deep water fishing, where fish are often found far below the surface, making traditional fishing techniques less effective. By using a downrigger, anglers can effectively target fish at the right depth without worrying about tangled lines or struggling to maintain the right position.

Key Benefits of Using Downriggers for Deep Water Fishing

1. Accurate Depth Control

One of the main benefits of using a downrigger is the ability to control the exact depth at which your bait or lure is presented. This is crucial for targeting fish species that are known to inhabit specific depths, such as trout, walleye, and salmon. A depth counter is an essential feature in downriggers, aiding in achieving accurate bait presentation in the water column. Without a downrigger, it can be challenging to consistently fish at the right depth, especially in deep waters where fish may be found 50 feet or more below the surface.

With a downrigger, you can set your bait at the perfect depth and keep it there as you troll, ensuring that it stays in the strike zone where fish are most likely to bite.

2. Better Fish Location with a Fish Finder

Many fish species tend to school at certain depths, particularly in deeper waters. Using a downrigger allows you to fish in these areas more efficiently by targeting specific depths where fish are most likely to be located. This technique is especially useful to fish deeper zones, particularly near thermoclines and bait balls where pelagic species feed. For example:

• Trout and Salmon: These species often prefer colder water and are commonly found in deeper, cooler sections of lakes and reservoirs. A downrigger allows you to fish at the depths where these fish are most active.

• Walleye: Walleye tend to congregate near the bottom, especially during the day, making downriggers perfect for targeting them in deeper waters.

• Lake Trout: Lake trout often live in the deepest parts of lakes, and using a downrigger allows you to reach them more easily.

By targeting these specific depths with your downrigger, you’re much more likely to encounter schools of fish and increase your chances of landing a big catch.

3. More Control When Trolling

Trolling is one of the most effective techniques for fishing in deep waters, but it can be tricky to maintain the proper depth while moving the boat. Without a downrigger, you have to rely on the weight of the lure or bait to determine the depth, which can lead to inconsistent results. Additionally, controlling the depth can be challenging when trolling at higher speeds.

A downrigger allows you to maintain precise depth control even while trolling, making it easier to keep your bait at the optimal depth throughout the entire fishing session. This means you can focus on other aspects of your fishing, such as monitoring your rods and adjusting your speed, without constantly worrying about maintaining the correct depth.

4. Minimizing Line Tangles and Snags

Fishing in deeper waters often means dealing with long lines and the potential for tangles or snags. Without a downrigger and the appropriate downrigger cable, fishing at deeper depths can result in your fishing line dragging through the water in an uncontrolled manner, leading to potential tangles or snags on underwater structures.

A downrigger helps minimize these issues by keeping the fishing line taut and straight, ensuring that your bait stays at the correct depth without dragging in a messy fashion. The line release mechanism of the downrigger allows you to quickly and easily detach the line when a fish strikes, reducing the risk of tangles during the fight.

5. Increased Efficiency

Downriggers increase the efficiency of your fishing efforts by allowing you to fish at the right depth with minimal effort. Instead of manually adjusting your bait depth or trying to estimate where the fish are, you can rely on the downrigger to do the hard work for you. This is particularly helpful when trolling in large bodies of water where fish may be spread out over a wide area.

By using a downrigger, you can cover more ground while fishing at the optimal depths, increasing your chances of encountering fish. This is especially useful in large lakes or reservoirs where finding fish can be time-consuming.

How to Use an Electric Downrigger for Deep Water Fishing

1. Set the Downrigger Depth

The first step in using a downrigger is determining the depth at which you want to fish. A line counter is essential in this process, as it aids in managing the depth of the lure by allowing you to manually adjust and monitor the cable length in relation to the underwater environment. This will depend on the species you’re targeting and the current water conditions. Some downriggers have digital or analog depth readouts that show exactly how deep your bait is, while others require manual adjustments based on your knowledge of the water.

• Fishfinder Integration: Many modern downriggers can be integrated with fish finders, allowing you to monitor the depth and location of fish in real-time. This ensures that you can adjust the downrigger to target specific depths where fish are most active.

2. Attach the Downrigger Ball

Once you’ve set the depth, attach the appropriate weight (or cannonball) to the downrigger’s cable. When selecting the weight, consider the downrigger ball shape, as it can impact performance and tension on the downriggers. The weight is essential for sinking the line and bait to the desired depth. The weight should be heavy enough to counterbalance the buoyancy of the fishing line and get the bait into the right zone.

3. Release the Line

Attach your fishing line to the downrigger’s release mechanism. When using more than one line, secure multiple lines to the downrigger cable by staggering them to prevent tangling. This mechanism ensures that the line stays at the correct depth while trolling. When a fish strikes, the line will release from the downrigger, allowing you to reel in the fish.

4. Troll at the Right Speed

Once the downrigger is set and the line is at the proper depth, begin trolling. The speed at which you troll will depend on the type of fish you’re targeting. For example, bass and walleye often respond best to slower trolling speeds, while species like trout and salmon may require faster speeds.

Using an electric downrigger can help maintain the desired trolling speed and depth, as these models can automatically retrieve the downrigger line and offer features like programmable depth and bottom tracking.

Monitor the depth and adjust the trolling speed as needed to ensure your bait stays in the strike zone. You can use your fish finder to track fish and make adjustments to the downrigger depth if necessary.

5. Retrieving the Line

When you feel a fish strike or hear your downrigger’s alarm, it’s time to reel in the fish. The downrigger’s release mechanism will disengage automatically when the fish strikes, allowing you to reel in the fish as you normally would.

Tips for Using Downriggers and Downrigger Cables Effectively

• Choose the Right Weight: The size and weight of the downrigger weight depend on the depth at which you plan to fish and the strength of the current. Heavier weights are required for deeper water or faster trolling speeds.

• Use the Right Lures: The best lures to use with a downrigger depend on the species you’re targeting. For example, use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, or baitfish when trolling for trout and salmon.

• Monitor Water Temperature: Water temperature can have a significant impact on fish behavior. Use a fish finder to monitor the temperature at different depths, as fish are more likely to be found at specific temperatures.

• Practice Patience: Deep water fishing with a downrigger requires patience. The fish may not always bite right away, but consistent trolling at the correct depths will eventually lead to success.

• Downrigger Setup: Ensure you have the correct downrigger setup for your fishing needs. This includes selecting the right type of downrigger, understanding its components, and properly setting it up for effective trolling at various depths to target specific fish species.

Conclusion

Downriggers are essential tools for anglers looking to target fish in deeper waters with precision. By allowing you to control the depth of your bait, avoid line tangles, and maximize efficiency, downriggers improve your chances of catching fish in bodies of water where traditional fishing methods may fall short. Whether you're targeting trout, walleye, or salmon, using a downrigger can significantly enhance your fishing experience and help you land bigger catches with less effort.

FAQs

1. Can I use a downrigger for shallow water fishing? While downriggers are primarily used for deep water fishing, they can also be used in shallow water to control the depth of your bait and reduce the risk of snagging.
2. How deep can I fish with a downrigger? Downriggers can be used to fish at depths of up to 300 feet or more, depending on the model and the weight used.
3. Do I need a fish finder to use a downrigger? While a fish finder isn’t necessary to use a downrigger, it can enhance your fishing success by helping you locate fish and monitor depth.
4. What types of fish can I catch with a downrigger? Downriggers are effective for catching fish like trout, salmon, and walleye, particularly in deep waters where these species are most active.
5. Can I use a downrigger on any type of boat? Downriggers can be used on most boats, but you’ll need to ensure that your boat has enough space and a sturdy mounting location for the device.