Houseboat
10-01-2002, 04:50 AM
If I know that my plug runs 12ft,When I use my new downriggers ,can I figure that if I put them down at 10ft and the plug trolls at 12 ft ,I am trolling at 22ft ??
Thanks
N8ARW
10-01-2002, 11:11 AM
Theoretically, yes, Reality, no...Keep in mind that the angle of the rigger cable must be taken into account. Variables that affect this include: boat speed, water currents (surface & subsurface), ball weight, lure/line drag etc....Some people zero counters at the water surface, some at the rigger arm.
Situation #1 rigger 2.5' above water, counter zero'ed at ARM and a 10 deg. cable angle. An indication on your counter of 50 would put your ball at approx. 46' + 12' = lure at 58'
Situation #2 rigger 2.5 above water, counter zero'ed at WATER and a 10 deg. cable angle. An indication on your counter of 50 would put the ball at approx. 48' + 12' = lure at 60'
A straight calculation would yield 50' + 12' = lure at 62', a 2' to 4' difference from where it is actually at.
If your example is an actual condition (10') and your zero'ed at the water surface, you can for all practical purposes ignore the variables as they are somewhat insignificant. If, however, they were for they theory for calculating what depth your lure is actually at (ball depth + diving depth + or - variables), you must allow/compensate for the variables.
Trolling Lake Erie at 40 - 60 feet on a flat lake, I have seen my rigger cable back 10 deg., we made a 180 deg. turn to go back thru a spot and the cable is near vertical because of sub-surface currents. A nice toy is a FishHawk unit that gives you speed and temp. at the rigger ball.
Remember, it's attention to details. Also, better to run a little above the fish than a little below!!! Hope this helps...Good Luck...