Using downriggers

[Marie Maddie]

Are using downriggers for tuna worthwhile? We dont like chunking but are having a hard time raising fish? What speed would you troll if using them? It would seem to me that between 6 and 7 knots the downrigger ball would not be directly near the bottom, but more off at an angle. Any suggestions would be appreciated. And congrats to all on the WMO.

Mark

[B.C.]

Mark, If you do a search you will find all kinds of info on that. We run a downrigger with 300lb hollow spectra on it. We also use a old salty #24 planner on it. Trolling speed is 5-6kts. We haven't had a lot of fish on it but weve got a few. Most bites are on the wwb's. We have been bluefin fishing so far this year and done very well.

[B.C.]

Where are you fishing out of?

[Fish-N-Fool]

On many days, deep trolling for bluefin and yellowfin account for the majority of fish in our charter boat kill box. Often anglers who try deep trolling fail to place the bait far enough behind the planer system to obtain favorable results. There are a few choices for rigging a deep trolling line system. If a downrigger is presently installed on the boat, replace the ball weight with a #32 old salty planer or #8 Sea Striker. However, for a planer to reach the depths necessary to catch deep bluefin, replace the cable with one of the new braided lines. 100 pound test is sufficient for holding a planer and it’s thin diameter creates less drag allowing the planer to reach depths approaching 40-50 feet. Do not use a release clip with the planer. Application is as follows: Set the planer at desired depth. If targeting bluefin, this is going to be where marks are showing on the fish finder. If targeting yellowfins, set the depth at 30 feet. Next step is to set the fishing line with bait. Deep trolling for bluefin requires the bait to be a minimum of 100 feet from the planer. At times, I place the bait “200 yards” behind a planer to obtain bites. Fishing is not a science and conditions change day to day. Stay flexible and change techniques until a winning combination is found for each day. Let the fishing line out the desired distance behind the boat, next tie a #32 or #64 rubber band “tightly” to the fishing line. The rubber band is then attached to a snap swivel (some anglers use a shower curtain ring) which is attached to the downrigger line. Slowly let the line come off the reel and the snap swivel slides down the downrigger line until it comes to the planer. The fishing line will lose some tension once coming to the planer to indicate it is at the end of the line. Place rod in holder and set drag. On the bite the rubber band breaks. After fish is boated, reset the line using a new rubber band and snap swivel. No need to wind the planer up and down unless it is necessary to back down on a fish. At days end, all the snap swivels are recovered when the planer is brought up. All captains/mates are in agreement that the number one bait for deep trolling is a pink skirted bally. A 3 ½ drone also takes it fair share of fish.

No downrigger? Another option is to dedicate an 80 pound class outfit utilizing a #8 Sea Striker planer. However, the planer is rigged so it can be removed from the fishing line and not used in the normal fashion. This set up is found on the majority of charter boats. First step, attached snap swivels to the front and rear of the planer.


Next, crimp two, one inch pieces of mono to the fishing line 100 foot from the end of the line. The two loops must be positioned so the fishing line holds the pressure of the fish and not the rear snap on the planer. In usage, once a fish is hooked and trips the planer, it is fought until the planer comes to the rod tip, at which time the planer is removed from the line. Basically, you then have a 100 foot wind-on leader.


Another option is to use a #32 Old Salty or #8 Sea Striker planer on a stationary line attached to a cleat. Use the rubber band/snap swivel for setting the bait.

Last, but certainly not least, is purchasing a Z-Wing. This is also pulled off of a cleat due to the enormous amount of pressure it creates. Cost of a Z-Wing is about 54.00.

It does not make a difference to the fish which system being used as long as the bait in trolled at least 100 foot behind the boat. If you are not trolling a deep line while tuna fishing, the majority of tuna swimming in the ocean are not being targeted!