Downriggers for Rockfish?

[reelparadise]

Hey guys, i have a Penn Fathom Master with the long boom that i got for offshore trolling but was wondering if anyone uses them for rockfishing. I wasnt sure if it was worth giving it a shot during this upcoming trophy season Any ideas for lures to pull off of it?
Thanks

[B-faithful]

Great for trolling in the spring. Big fish tend to hang around the thermocline and the used of a downrigger is great for getting the correct depth. When I use mine (most of the time I am too lazy and just run in-line weights) I tend to pull only umbrellas from them since the water clarity in the Ches Bay is so poor. The umbrellas make for a larger presentation in the murky water.

Was out today and had around 18 fish in about 4 hours off of BPL. Thermocline was running between 24 and 33 feet today when we were out trolling. While the planer boards were hot (solo chutes mostly), the umbrellas running deep caught the fish over 40"



Here are a couple of shots from today

[SoFLA34]

Hey B, where about in the bay were you trolling for those beasts? Looks like I need to break out the gear and hit the water!

To help with the original question, I agree with B-faith on that. Run chutes deep with some bright shads on there. I have had the most luck with the 9" chartreuse ones. However another SFC member came up with this idea,Flash For Parachute Jigs, It looks like it should really get some attention down deep where the sunlight doesn't reach very well. Hope this helps!

[B-faithful]

I was right out front of you! We trolled from TPL to BPL. It got hot at BPL in the deep water.. You gotta get out there

[SoFLA34]

That's the same darn route I run! TPL-->BPL-->West River-->Repeat! Thanks for the report and glad to see we got people catching fish so close! Thanks again B!

Tight lines-->See ya on the water, SOON!

[tolbard]

I use mine in the spring also but they seem to work better in the fall. The 25-30 range is where I get most of my strikes.

[reelparadise]

Thanks for the input guys Nice pictures B faithful! Looks like we need to get out there now! Do you guys run just the regular downrigger ball or a Z wing?
Reel

[B-faithful]

slow trolling for striped bass, the downrigger balls are fine. z-wings are only necessary for faster trolling

[steammkr]

Nice fish there B
sure wish I still lived there, maybe be back one day

[reelparadise]

OK sounds im going to try to get some guys together and head out to the Bloody Point area on Sunday, maybe ill see you out there
Thanks again
Mike