NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Tips, Tricks and Things to Consider => Topic started by: Hotrod on October 14, 2012, 07:13:30 PM
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By: Tony Maja
Trolling Bunker Spoons on Down Riggers is very simple. As we know, proper spoon depth and action are the 2 main factors in a successful set up.
This is a good alternative for those that don't have the proper trolling rod and don't use wire line.
First you need a flexible bungee cord, approximately 18"-24" long which will serve as a flexible bunker spoon rod..
Next you attach one end to your down rigger weight with a heavy duty snap swivel and the other end with a heavy duty out-rigger clip. Last, you drop the weight to desired depth with the spoon 25' beyond the out-rigger clip.
Tony Maja Products (http://www.njsaltwatertackle.com/index.php/saltwater-fishing-tackle?page=shop.browse&category_id=1)
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Fantastic concept, Tony is amazing with his innovations. At this time I do not have downriggers on my fishing machine, I have been using drails and planers, but have been looking for a nice set of downriggers . t^
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Won't the bungee cord make it hard to load the rod?
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I believe. the cord takes over the tip action of a good bunker spoon Rod.
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The downriggers ball gets the spoon, or other lure of choice, down deep without wire line, or a long length of any line for that matter. The bungee cord replaces the action or load of the Trolling rod, allowing you to get by without any special bunker spoon rods. That's how I understand it anyway. 5hrug
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I see how the cord takes the action of the spoon, but it the rod is not loaded when the fish hits won't there be too much slack from the tip of the rod to the ball causing no hook set?
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As soon as that line gets tight you will have your hookset. TT^
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5hrug But it has been tested for a couple years and works well t^ I can't see the diference of it hooked on the ball.. when the clip snaps.. you get a hook up. yes?
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I could see the cord stretching , then the clip releasing the line. Does the resistance pressure from the bungee help set the hook prior to release?
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Normally you have a cable from the ball to the release. Then you reel the rod tight tight so the tip is bent down so when the fish hits the snap of the rod takes up the slack to help with the hook set. The way I see the cord working it would let the spoon work but you cant get the tension on the rod.
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh298/dieselhp/4A6E2E54-3787-4775-82C0-640AF59451AC-4922-000008344C971DEF.jpg)
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I could see the cord stretching , then the clip releasing the line. Does the resistance pressure from the bungee help set the hook prior to release?
I guess but I would think the release would have to be very tight on the line with the pressure of the spoon in the water.
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Yes, very tight. The guys Trolling umbrella rigs on downriggers use the aftco roller release tightened up to handle the drag of the rig. Maybe we can get Tony to explain exactly how it works.
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Fantastic concept, Tony is amazing with his innovations. At this time I do not have downriggers on my fishing machine, I have been using drails and planers, but have been looking for a nice set of downriggers . t^
Down riggers lets see I forgot his Name but he keeps a Boat at Monmouth Cove Marina Port Monmouth NJ. He invited My grand son fishing this summer and mentioned when we were there he wanted to sell his down riggers that he never used. Anyone know who that is. Bill
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Joe Julian would flip in his grave if he could see how bunker spoons have changed, from a simple spoon that caught Bass to the styles of today that still only catch bass. Or should I say Fishermen, t^ chrz
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Fantastic concept, Tony is amazing with his innovations. At this time I do not have downriggers on my fishing machine, I have been using drails and planers, but have been looking for a nice set of downriggers . t^
Down riggers lets see I forgot his Name but he keeps a Boat at Monmouth Cove Marina Port Monmouth NJ. He invited My grand son fishing this summer and mentioned when we were there he wanted to sell his down riggers that he never used. Anyone know who that is. Bill
This is an option for those that don't use the "proper equipment" I see people trolling spoons all the time with down riggers.. but definitely not your best bet.
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Trolling with downriggers can have some advantages. You can fish with less line out so when you hook up, you don't have to reel in 300 feet of line. use mono instead of wire, which let's you use "what you have" as opposed to buying Trolling set ups. Control your depth more accurately, add to the spread with less tangles.
That's what I've been lead to believe anyway. If I'm wrong, let me know before I spend the dough. :headscra:
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Trolling with downriggers can have some advantages. You can fish with less line out so when you hook up, you don't have to reel in 300 feet of line. use mono instead of wire, which let's you use "what you have" as opposed to buying Trolling set ups. Control your depth more accurately, add to the spread with less tangles.
That's what I've been lead to believe anyway. If I'm wrong, let me know before I spend the dough. :headscra:
t^
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Great, thanks Rick. I have my eye on a set of Penn. chrz
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Real economics compare The cost of Downriggers From the installing, to the outfitting, with all the bells and whistles and Hardware needed. The constant attention to its operation and upkeep. 5hrug
To the Cost of a Proper Spoon Rod. That any good Trolling reel can be used and with wire line included. 5hrug
No need to remove your shoes to count on this one. slt
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Downriggers were never designed to replace rods, just as an additional trolling aid. They have many benefits. Try Trolling lightweight lures for salmon or trout with wire. nts
I have fished using downriggers on Lake Ontario, Round Valley, and out in California, they do work . Over the years, noted fishermen such as Tony Maja and others have come up with innovative ways to use them to catch even more fish. If it works, it can't be wrong. Have you had bad experiences fishing with them?
As for installation and maintaining downriggers, it can be as simple as placing them in a rod holder or drilling a few holes for the bolts of the mounting plate. Anyone who can't do simple things to their boat is in serious trouble if something happens out on the water.
Finally, economics fishing, and boats, if you don't want to spend money, watch fishing on television
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I have even used copper line for stripers and it works. Another lake O thing. Some day you have to try something different to get them to bite.
I still want to try a shad umbrella rig on lake O. 5hrug
You don't know if don't try it.
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Downriggers were never designed to replace rods, just as an additional trolling aid. They have many benefits. Try Trolling lightweight lures for salmon or trout with wire. nts
I have fished using downriggers on Lake Ontario, Round Valley, and out in California, they do work . Over the years, noted fishermen such as Tony Maja and others have come up with innovative ways to use them to catch even more fish. If it works, it can't be wrong. Have you had bad experiences fishing with them?
As for installation and maintaining downriggers, it can be as simple as placing them in a rod holder or drilling a few holes for the bolts of the mounting plate. Anyone who can't do simple things to their boat is in serious trouble if something happens out on the water.
Finally, economics fishing, and boats, if you don't want to spend money, watch fishing on television
Wow another hookup. ovrbt nts to you to. Lets see it started out downriggers for bass. then it went north to Great Lakes did not know they used Bunker spoons up there. Only seen them with 6 downriggers and 20 rods on the troll fcp fcp And I have fished with them both Fresh and salt and have no use for them and of the 3 boats 2 removed them. Its not spending money its wasting money on BS stuff not needed but to make it look as though you know what you're doing. like a Tuna Tower that is never used but looks good.
Funny how you can become condescending with your reply. And my experience catching Kings, Reds, Silvers, Coho, Steelheads Is vast with trips to Alaska and never did I ever use or see them used, Only in The Tourist Trap Fishing Camps they may be used. fcp My days of fishing maybe slowing down but you have many many years to even come close to what I have been and Done.
I smoothed the edges. ovrbt
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fcp
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ttp
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Downriggers were never designed to replace rods, just as an additional trolling aid. They have many benefits. Try Trolling lightweight lures for salmon or trout with wire. nts
I have fished using downriggers on Lake Ontario, Round Valley, and out in California, they do work . Over the years, noted fishermen such as Tony Maja and others have come up with innovative ways to use them to catch even more fish. If it works, it can't be wrong. Have you had bad experiences fishing with them?
As for installation and maintaining downriggers, it can be as simple as placing them in a rod holder or drilling a few holes for the bolts of the mounting plate. Anyone who can't do simple things to their boat is in serious trouble if something happens out on the water.
Finally, economics fishing, and boats, if you don't want to spend money, watch fishing on television
Wow another hookup. ovrbt nts to you to. Lets see it started out downriggers for bass. then it went north to Great Lakes did not know they used Bunker spoons up there. Only seen them with 6 downriggers and 20 rods on the troll fcp fcp And I have fished with them both Fresh and salt and have no use for them and of the 3 boats 2 removed them. Its not spending money its wasting money on BS stuff not needed but to make it look as though you know what you're doing. like a Tuna Tower that is never used but looks good.
Funny how you can become condescending with your reply. And my experience catching Kings, Reds, Silvers, Coho, Steelheads Is vast with trips to Alaska and never did I ever use or see them used, Only in The Tourist Trap Fishing Camps they may be used. fcp My days of fishing maybe slowing down but you have many many years to even come close to what I have been and Done. so get a Grip on your rod fcp and take a deep breath. slt Its fishing for Gods Sake, smk pawle pawle
rofla
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I have even used copper line for stripers and it works. Another lake O thing. Some day you have to try something different to get them to bite.
I still want to try a shad umbrella rig on lake O. 5hrug
You don't know if don't try it.
Funny you should say that. I brought home a flasher that I wanted to try with a buckail or clarkspoon outside the inlet, but every time I look at the flasher, I think I should just put a hook on it an fish it like a bunker spoon.
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ttp
hee heee heee I love this lil guy!!!!! Fitting for sooooooooo many things on here! ;D ;D ;D
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pcrn
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Trolling with downriggers can have some advantages. You can fish with less line out so when you hook up, you don't have to reel in 300 feet of line. use mono instead of wire, which let's you use "what you have" as opposed to buying Trolling set ups. Control your depth more accurately, add to the spread with less tangles.
That's what I've been lead to believe anyway. If I'm wrong, let me know before I spend the dough. :headscra:
Downriggers were never designed to replace rods, just as an additional trolling aid. They have many benefits. Try Trolling lightweight lures for salmon or trout with wire. nts
I have fished using downriggers on Lake Ontario, Round Valley, and out in California, they do work . Over the years, noted fishermen such as Tony Maja and others have come up with innovative ways to use them to catch even more fish. If it works, it can't be wrong. Have you had bad experiences fishing with them?
As for installation and maintaining downriggers, it can be as simple as placing them in a rod holder or drilling a few holes for the bolts of the mounting plate. Anyone who can't do simple things to their boat is in serious trouble if something happens out on the water.
Finally, economics fishing, and boats, if you don't want to spend money, watch fishing on television
Well said Darren.. obviously spoken from the real experience of someone who has set up and fished from they're own boats.. t^ Some great info on this thread sprinkled with some pretty ridiculous statements.. ::)
I've used them for many years myself from Lake-O trolling to dead sticking flutterspoons for shad in the Delaware.. the advantages you describe are all not only true in my own experience, but well documented over the years.. no point arguing any of that.. they are a great tool for quick, repeatable and precise depth control..period..are they too much trouble? depends... Like anything else in fishing, their use requires some practice, and getting the routine down..tough to fish them alone without an AP..or with a green crew.. but a couple guys that know whats up can be deadly once they get it down..I know for a fact even with a manual, I can pick up a ball out of 50' check/reset the bait and redeploy alot quicker than cranking up the amount of wire needed to attain the same depth.. and have alot more fun doin it.. t^ As to Ricks ? about loading the rod..I have'nt tried this bungee method yet either in salt.. but I would think you would get the same effect as with the rubber Luhr Jensen snubbers (hint, hint Tony M) we use on the Dipsey's and sometimes on the ball pulling dodgers..In addition to allowing for that desired "throb" of the lure, The stretch of the rubber also allows the fish to get a good hold on the lure before the release trips.. once the bungee is maxed and the release trips, the retraction of the bungee should help take up the slack and get the load back on the rod.. Something to try for sure anyway t^
P.S. Darren I got a nice Cannon manual on a Gimbal mount.. you are welcome to borrow it and see if it makes sense for your striper fishing before you buy anything t^ chrz
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ttp
hee heee heee I love this lil guy!!!!! Fitting for sooooooooo many things on here! ;D ;D ;D
We need one with long brown hair, then it's perfectly my wife!
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Downriggers were never designed to replace rods, just as an additional trolling aid. They have many benefits. Try Trolling lightweight lures for salmon or trout with wire. nts
I have fished using downriggers on Lake Ontario, Round Valley, and out in California, they do work . Over the years, noted fishermen such as Tony Maja and others have come up with innovative ways to use them to catch even more fish. If it works, it can't be wrong. Have you had bad experiences fishing with them?
As for installation and maintaining downriggers, it can be as simple as placing them in a rod holder or drilling a few holes for the bolts of the mounting plate. Anyone who can't do simple things to their boat is in serious trouble if something happens out on the water.
Finally, economics fishing, and boats, if you don't want to spend money, watch fishing on television
Wow another hookup. ovrbt nts to you to. Lets see it started out downriggers for bass. then it went north to Great Lakes did not know they used Bunker spoons up there. Only seen them with 6 downriggers and 20 rods on the troll fcp fcp And I have fished with them both Fresh and salt and have no use for them and of the 3 boats 2 removed them. Its not spending money its wasting money on BS stuff not needed but to make it look as though you know what you're doing. like a Tuna Tower that is never used but looks good.
Funny how you can become condescending with your reply. And my experience catching Kings, Reds, Silvers, Coho, Steelheads Is vast with trips to Alaska and never did I ever use or see them used, Only in The Tourist Trap Fishing Camps they may be used. fcp My days of fishing maybe slowing down but you have many many years to even come close to what I have been and Done. so get a Grip on your rod fcp and take a deep breath. slt Its fishing for Gods Sake, smk pawle pawle
nts nts what time do you start sipping that old cough medicine bottle? chrz
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ovrbt ovrbt The topic was the use of a Downrigger for BUNKER SPOONS. I did not take it off subject, to another area where they may be the right thing to use, But some are just so fast to pile on.
I have been told to Chill out. fngr ttp that will happen. pcrn ovrbt ovrbt
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clp
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ttp
hee heee heee I love this lil guy!!!!! Fitting for sooooooooo many things on here! ;D ;D ;D
We need one with long brown hair, then it's perfectly my wife!
I think your's and Matt's.... clp When and IF I even get the thingys to put in the pole holders on my boat for trolling, I will have to get back to ya'll on this topic. Most of what is suggested or mentioned I think, THINK, is outta my leauge. :-\ :'( But I sure know who and where to go to when I need help; that's right here with allllll of you!!!!! :-* :-* P.S. Just wanted to stick these guys in here, I love um so!!! ttp ttp pcrn pcrn
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I have even used copper line for stripers and it works. Another lake O thing. Some day you have to try something different to get them to bite.
I still want to try a shad umbrella rig on lake O. 5hrug
You don't know if don't try it.
Funny you should say that. I brought home a flasher that I wanted to try with a buckail or clarkspoon outside the inlet, but every time I look at the flasher, I think I should just put a hook on it an fish it like a bunker spoon.
I did try a flasher with a fly for stripers once and we did put one in the boat. That was the only fish that day.
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Good point. Do you think if we painted some heavier jigs with glow in the dark paint that we use on the lake they would attract Stripers at night? It's worth a shot.
The esca battery powered flasher lure might be cool too. Unfortunately the esca I purchased never worked from day one. I don't see any feedback on those though or even a mention from anyone. :headscra:
pcrn
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Worth a shot do you know anyone with paint? rofla
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Worth a shot do you know anyone with paint? rofla
Yup, and he might let me borrow some too. ovrbt
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rofla
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Bet he will give you some if you bring him a long for the test.
I think we better get back on topic.
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Trolling with downriggers can have some advantages. You can fish with less line out so when you hook up, you don't have to reel in 300 feet of line. use mono instead of wire, which let's you use "what you have" as opposed to buying Trolling set ups. Control your depth more accurately, add to the spread with less tangles.
That's what I've been lead to believe anyway. If I'm wrong, let me know before I spend the dough. :headscra:
Downriggers were never designed to replace rods, just as an additional trolling aid. They have many benefits. Try Trolling lightweight lures for salmon or trout with wire. nts
I have fished using downriggers on Lake Ontario, Round Valley, and out in California, they do work . Over the years, noted fishermen such as Tony Maja and others have come up with innovative ways to use them to catch even more fish. If it works, it can't be wrong. Have you had bad experiences fishing with them?
As for installation and maintaining downriggers, it can be as simple as placing them in a rod holder or drilling a few holes for the bolts of the mounting plate. Anyone who can't do simple things to their boat is in serious trouble if something happens out on the water.
Finally, economics fishing, and boats, if you don't want to spend money, watch fishing on television
Well said Darren.. obviously spoken from the real experience of someone who has set up and fished from they're own boats.. t^ Some great info on this thread sprinkled with some pretty ridiculous statements.. ::)
I've used them for many years myself from Lake-O trolling to dead sticking flutterspoons for shad in the Delaware.. the advantages you describe are all not only true in my own experience, but well documented over the years.. no point arguing any of that.. they are a great tool for quick, repeatable and precise depth control..period..are they too much trouble? depends... Like anything else in fishing, their use requires some practice, and getting the routine down..tough to fish them alone without an AP..or with a green crew.. but a couple guys that know whats up can be deadly once they get it down..I know for a fact even with a manual, I can pick up a ball out of 50' check/reset the bait and redeploy alot quicker than cranking up the amount of wire needed to attain the same depth.. and have alot more fun doin it.. t^ As to Ricks ? about loading the rod..I have'nt tried this bungee method yet either in salt.. but I would think you would get the same effect as with the rubber Luhr Jensen snubbers (hint, hint Tony M) we use on the Dipsey's and sometimes on the ball pulling dodgers..In addition to allowing for that desired "throb" of the lure, The stretch of the rubber also allows the fish to get a good hold on the lure before the release trips.. once the bungee is maxed and the release trips, the retraction of the bungee should help take up the slack and get the load back on the rod.. Something to try for sure anyway t^
P.S. Darren I got a nice Cannon manual on a Gimbal mount.. you are welcome to borrow it and see if it makes sense for your striper fishing before you buy anything t^ chrz
Thanks for the kind offer Treebeard, I'll consider it. That's one of the reasons I love this site. Great people always willing to lend support, help each other out, and make lasting friendships, all with the common bond, Fishing. Let me repeat a fantastic quote I recently read in The Big Game Fishing Journal, from a great fisherman and icon, Tred Barta: "Never pass up an oppurtunity to help a fellow fisherman" . Great words of wisdom, but I lived it here first. chrz
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When I finally get my 60' custom sport fisher, you can bet your ass I will not only have downriggers but also the tallest damn tuna tower possible. I will never use it as I'm not fond of heights, but it will look awesome and it will be fun to delay commuter car traffic for 10-15 minutes at every bridge t^ >:D
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When I finally get my 60' custom sport fisher, you can bet your ass I will not only have downriggers but also the tallest damn tuna tower possible. I will never use it as I'm not fond of heights, but it will look awesome and it will be fun to delay commuter car traffic for 10-15 minutes at every bridge t^ >:D
clp clp clp
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This might be old news for many of you. Although I've sold downriggers and have a basic understanding of how they are used, I've never fished with them and I found this video interesting. t^
[youtube=600,340]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW34yGWzZ84 [/youtube]
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t^