View Full Version : Cannon Balls
SEAHAG
03-04-2001, 08:03 AM
Does anyone run the flat cannon balls? Are they better than the round ones? They are about a buck cheaper on line at Cabelas. thanks SEAHAG
I tried one once and rather than track in a straight line, it zigged and zagged from side to side and made friends with the other cables.
SUPERTROLLER
03-04-2001, 09:43 AM
We've used the flat weights exclusively for 15 yrs. We use them for trolling on Lake Michigan for Trout and Salmon. Never had a problem with crossing cables and we run all different speeds from ultra slow to fast (4-5 mph). Maybe people experiencing problems are turning too sharply. I have heard others here complain about the pancake weights too, but never had them do anything strange so I don't know their circumstances.I think they track closer to the boat due to less water resistance and therefore you know your depth more exactly. In a walleye application I want to know my baits depth as close as I can. I highly recommend the flat weights.
Gunga Din
03-05-2001, 09:45 AM
The pancakes are good for open water, but if you're fishing the bottom and constantly bumping or plowing the bottom, the cannonballs or even the fish-shaped weights are best. I stick with the cannonballs.
KevinA
03-05-2001, 04:09 PM
If you fish where there are significant currents (great lakes) the much greater surface area of pancakes will push them around alot more. The standard round balls have minimal surface area & currents don't bother them as much. Whether or not they'll work for you depends on where you fish.
Benny
03-05-2001, 05:16 PM
I've used all shapes and sizes over 25 years on the Great Lakes and
here's my take on flat pancake weights.
The flattest types of weights(pure pancakes or boni's) do not drag as much in theory. And this is true when there are no side currents or you do not turn...However...imagine a sheet of plywood that you are pushing or pulling directly into the wind ... edge on...no problems,but if you tried to push or pull the plywood off on just the slightest angle the wind catches it and
drives it off course in a hurry.Same thing happens with the flat weights.
I don't find that the little bit of sway back saved is worth crossing cables over. I prefer a weight shaped halfway between a ball shape and a pancake.
These are usually referred to as trackers, although I don't know any particular manufacturer that specializes in them any more.