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Posted by mom on 16:19:35 09/19/03
In Reply to: Re: IMHO, Downriggers are unneccessary, risky/potentially dangerous posted by Davey jones
: : : I'm still in the learning stages before I get started, so if this is a stupid question--that's why. Do any of you use a downrigger on your sit on tops?I've seen a few mounted on the sit inside types of kayaks here on the Calif/Oregon border, but I'm leaning towards the Scupper Pro or Malibu Extreme. Do either of these glide well enough to troll paddeling for several miles? Here's my safety spew about using those things from a kayak. This topic has come up before so I'm sorta primed and at the same time, fairly anal about safety:I'm all for trying new things but I'd have to say that using a downrigger from a kayak would be the last on my list. IMHO, there are too many things that could go wrong. As it is, I think kayak fishing can already be a juggling act when it comes to the amount of gear/tackle we bring out with us. It's taken me quite some time to perfect this (always a work in progress). While juggling, you need to be totally aware of your surroundings, i.e marine life, weather, etc; While fighting a fish, you may need to maneuver the kayak at a moments notice. I may have the rod in between my legs, fighting the fish while I'm trying to paddle a certain direction to stay away from rocks, kelp, boats, marine life, surf, etc; I don't have enough hands to fight the fish, wind the downrigger up and grab my paddle if I need to reposition my kayak. I suppose an electric one would free up a hand, but now you're talking about having a big 12 Volt on board.Leadcore is a good option. Another option is using 2 rods in unison with a weight release. Use one rod for your setup with a release and another to retrieve the ball.If it works for a few people you've seen on the water, more power to them. I recommend to anyone and everyone to stay clear of those things while fishing from a kayak. I personally think that using a downrigger from a kayak is more potentially dangerous than fishing for BIG GAME(200+lb) in the open ocean. Steel cable, big ball, fast current, cold water and no way to cut the line. Even if I could cut out, it's an unneccessary risk, distraction, etc when there are more convenient methods for targeting the same depth and species available. As kayak fishing grows, I hope companies stay clear of marketing their downriggers to kayak anglers. If they do come up with a scaled down version of a downrigger, I hope they do EXTENSIVE field testing and offer a supplemental safety instruction and awareness pamphlet in each package. This might sound a little extreme, but seeing those marketed to kayak anglers would be the same to me as seeing bungee jumping equimpent for sale at Wallmart. You get some experts that would know how to safely use the bungee, but for every expert that purchases one, you may get a few people that aren't quite as knowledgeable and skilled whom might hurt or kill themselves.I also look around and see none of the kayak fishing experts whom I know of using or endorsing the use of downrigger while fishing from a kayak.I suppose it could work if you were using an electric trolling motor in conjunction with one (I'd get a Cobra Fish N Dive in this case or one of the larger tandems or triple seaters). Though I'd still give yourself a couple of years of kayak fishing without all that stuff before attempting something like that. jas I don't think there is going to be a generic trolling rig for kayaks in general but a blend of things to make it work. I have a few Ideas for a release system for my forward crate downrigger system coupled to my trolling line on the aft crate rods; and as for a weight system it is going to only be a 30ft long and coupled with a Black Box. You have to remember that you can't troll structure but open space in water so the most of the concern is gone. If I were to offer advice it would be to set the drag to give some line while you collect your wits when you get a strike.All the above reply was in reguards to freashwater trolling, so be safe in anywater you chose.Dave
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