Trolling Bunker Spoons on Down Riggers

[Still Running]

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. 

You don't know if don't try it.

[overbite]

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.
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.   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   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.   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.

[Hotrod]

 

[Still Running]

 

[Fishin Dude]

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.
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.  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  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.  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  and take a deep breath.        Its fishing for Gods Sake, 

 

[Fishin Dude]

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. 

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.

[Ms Fish]

hee heee heee I love this lil guy!!!!! Fitting for sooooooooo many things on here! 

[Pfishingruven]

 

[Treebeard]

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.

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.
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..  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..     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

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   

[Andys Delight]

hee heee heee I love this lil guy!!!!! Fitting for sooooooooo many things on here! 

We need one with long brown hair, then it's perfectly my wife!

[Hunter 2]

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.
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.  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  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.  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  and take a deep breath.        Its fishing for Gods Sake, 

    what time do you start sipping that old cough medicine bottle? 

[overbite]

  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. that will happen. 

[Hunter 2]

 

[Ms Fish]

hee heee heee I love this lil guy!!!!! Fitting for sooooooooo many things on here! 

We need one with long brown hair, then it's perfectly my wife!

I think your's and Matt's....   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!!!     

[Still Running]

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. 

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.

[Hunter 2]

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.

 

[Still Running]

Worth a shot do you know anyone with paint?   

[Hunter 2]

Worth a shot do you know anyone with paint?   

Yup, and he might let me borrow some too.

[Kenny]

 

[Still Running]

Bet he will give you some if you bring him a long for the test.

I think we better get back on topic.