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Were is the best place to mount the down riggers ?
The rod holders that are there ,are somewhat in the middle ? is this O.K.? can buy a plate to fit the holder without drilling holes!
Thanks
Bob G2
10-20-2003, 08:02 AM
Depends on how many downriggers you are mounting. If you are mounting 4, here are some general guidelines:
1) Mount as much as you can in a straight line.
2) Use long downrigger arms on the 2 outside riggers,as long as possible.
3) Taking those long arm lengths into consideration, you will come up with the total length of your downrigger spread. Divide by 4, and then space out your downriggers accordingly as even as possible.
4) Use as short of a downrigger arm off the inside downriggers as you can, but also be sure that it clears everything (engines, swim ladders,etc). This will facilitate keeping them in line as much as you can
5) Make sure you use a backing plate under the gunnel if your gunnel is not specially reinforced for downrigger mounting (some boats are).
Even if it is, it still doesn't hurt to mount an extra backing plate.
6) If mounting 4 electric downriggers, it may be advisable to run them off an extra, seperate battery, or off your electric trolling motor batteries if applicable.
Bob G2
10-20-2003, 08:07 AM
You can either buy or make a trolling board to mount downriggers and rod holders on. Try this Cabelas link:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jhtml?id=cat160005&navAction=push&navCount=4&parentId=cat160005&parentType=subcategory&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fcatego ry-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166
I think what you are looking for is gimble mounts. They angled with flat plates on top to fit into flush mount rod holders. They work fine although you have to be carefull how much stress you put on them. I once sheared the teeth of a gimple mount. I fixed that problem by cutting the grooves deeper. They only came with 3/8" teeth, they are now 1/2". That seems to have fixed that problem.
I also got a little too aggressive this year and tried to pull a 12# cannon ball off the side rigger with a 5' boom 95' down in steady 4' waves. Sheared the brass pin in the bottom of the Lees rod holder. After taking the entire side panel off my boat to replace the pin, that problem is fixed, but I only pull 10# weights now.
Thanks Guys !!!
I think I will start off with using the Gimbal mount ,the reason I ask was: it being somewhat toward the middle of the boat ??
When I turn will this be a problem ?
perchjerker
10-20-2003, 11:37 AM
The biggest problem you may have is getting a line caught in your prop as you let your rig down. Thats what I would worry about with the riggers midships.
What your saying is when I make a turn I will be alright ? the other problem. I would just not start trolling before I let them down OK ! then.The reason I am confuse is that I would not want to drill holes if I don't need too.
Thanks
again
What your saying is when I make a turn I will be alright ? the other problem. I would just not start trolling before I let them down OK ! then.The reason I am confuse is that I would not want to drill holes if I don't need too.
Thanks
again
perchjerker
10-20-2003, 01:07 PM
Its hard to say. You may also run into problems if you are in a turn and the cable is close to the prop. Not the cable catching but if you get a release, your line may go up right into the prop.
perchjerker
10-20-2003, 01:07 PM
Its hard to say. You may also run into problems if you are in a turn and the cable is close to the prop. Not the cable catching but if you get a release, your line may go up right into the prop.
I think I will mount the plates on the end of the boat but even then it can get caught ?
Thanks
again ( Drill holes )
I think I will mount the plates on the end of the boat but even then it can get caught ?
Thanks
again ( Drill holes )
My side riggers are about 2' forward of my transom. I have a center console that requires 4' booms off the stern to clear the platforms which also holds my motors. So my side riggers are about 6-7' forward of my props. Never had a problem with a fish getting into a prop. If you are walleye fishing, I can't see this happening. I use my riggers a LOT for Salmon and have never had one get into the prop, but that is with 5' booms off the side.