fatboyjack1

I think I am going to rig both downriggers up with 200' of cable before I head up there, and probably get one or two 10 pound balls. I don't think I can get away with 12# balls. I understand that ball depth is relative as far as distance from the transducer, but that is getting a bit heavy for me. Too much info for one day !! Now I have to head home and mount my other two rod holders .....and order more equipment.

Thanks DJ.......so you essentially turn your "slider" into a "fixed slider" with just a rubber band. Interesting. I'm going to need more spoons....lol. Any advise on how to get my wife to make more money ???? LOL.

Markmonkey1......thank you. So let me get this straight......a slider is just a 4-'6 leader, one end has another spoon, and the other end has a "snap" of some sorts ? You lower the ball to the desired depth with your initial clean spoon, and once it is set you place the "slider" right on the rigger rod line ? It won't just slide all the way down to the other spoon ? Is the bow in the fishing line created by the blow-back of the ball ? Thanks !!!

Perfect guys, at least this gives me some release names that I can research. I am a simpleton.....simpler is better for me. So I take it you set your first line on the rigger release, lower the ball "X" amount......and then place you stacker.....then release to the depth you want. Easy Peasy.......lol. Does it matter how far your rod holder are spaced for stacking ? I have two holders on my riggers, and another two swivel holders about 4' forward of the riggers (towards the bow). Guppy35....I like the idea of covering 40' of water at once !!!!

Wow, thank you tuffishooker. The time you spent with your advise is good enough for me without asking too many more details. I don't want be a spoon-fed guy !! I just looked at the OFFSHORE releases, they look intimidating (lol). I am sure once you actually have them in your hand they are quite easy to figure out. I will do some research on the set-up. I can probably get two more rod holders mounted to use 6 rods, but I am so paranoid about a massive tangle. There will be 3 of us in the boat, and from my lake Erie experiences, 4 seems to be doable without much frustration. I am not worried about limiting out or anything like that, just an enjoyable few days on the water and hopefully get a fish or two for dinner. I guess I need to research stacking lines on a rigger. Thanks !

Hello, This is my first post, so I appreciate some patience if I come off as needy or "under-educated". Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of taking a couple charter boats out of the "oak" and have always tried to pay attention to details. Whereas we didn't always have great days on the water, I certainly learned a ton of good information. The problem is that as I get old......I can't remember much. I recall setting the spread looking easy, and finding the fish being a matter of a good fish finder. Now that I am trying to get set up for my trip in June.....it all seems so overwhelming !!!! Here is what I got - 1976 Reinell 190 W/ 115 Mercury tower of power. 2 Big Jon manual downriggers (150' of steel line), mounted on transom. 2 cannon rod holders mounted aft, but in forward of the riggers. Humminbird 858 HD DI Two 8# cannonballs. 5 line counter combos. All Okuma magda reels (20's and 30's). One with 5 color, two with 17# mono, 2 with 30# powerpro. Rods range from 7'7" up to 10'. I also have a variety of dipsy's, jets, small walleye boards and bottom bouncing rigs. A multitude of spoons and cranks. My trip is planned for June 13th - June 18th. Will 150' of downrigger line be enough ? I understand 8# balls probably are not sufficient, but I figure I can buy some 10# balls up there if needed. Now my main questions....... Is running 4 rods sufficient ? I don't have room for #5 or #6 without some major work. Do you run rigger releases right off the balls, or do you recommend some sort of release clipped to the line above the balls ? This release deal has me baffled !! I thought about purchasing some "Scotty Downriggers PowerGrip Plus Release Clip with Self-Locating Snap", but I have no idea how they work. Any help or advise for an early June trip ? Thanks guys !!! Sorry for the long winded post !!!