Pancake downrigger weight for kayak

I couldn’t find a pancake style DR weight under 10 lbs that I wanted to buy. Ideally I wanted 5 lbs or less, with a stabilizing fin, and as slim of a profile as possible to maximize drag reduction. The good news, new project!

After melting and pouring lead into a few different DIY sand molds and not being happy with the results, I decided to go and buy plate weights for dumbbells and put something together.

I used a 2.5 lb weight to start. Added plate aluminum cut into three pieces and screwed together to create the fin. Mounted the fin to the weight by driving a dowel through center hole, sawing off excess and drilling a hole for a bolt to pass through. I used a key ring through a hole I drilled up top for attaching to DR line. Last step was paint, I opted for a silver finish over the rubber coating.

Just need to test it to make sure it swims right and that I don’t need to go up to 5 lbs

Well that’s pretty interesting! I like it. The shop near me sells 2.5 lb fish shaped DR weights if it doesn’t work out I can see if they still have them for you.

I want a 3.5lb...great work...

Good job on thinking out of the box.
A while back I did similar. I screwed in 2 screws ~2". Then tape those 2 screws to make a fin. Work great until I lost it to a rock.

Pretty cool. A 5 pounder in that style would seem like the ideal size to me.

Great work! Looks like it should do fine

I've never used a pancake or disk shaped downrigger weight.  But I've wondered whether they tend to veer to the left and/or right, rather than tracking straight like a round downrigger weight. 

Well that’s pretty interesting! I like it. The shop near me sells 2.5 lb fish shaped DR weights if it doesn’t work out I can see if they still have them for you.

Appreciate the offer, I’ve got a few different types of weights (store bought) that all work fine. Just trying to see if I can get less blowback with a thinner profile. Not sure the fish shaped one will accomplish the goal.

I want a 3.5lb...great work...

So do I! My local play it again sports had them, but they had all kinds of open spots that I was afraid would crew up the swim. I’m going to keep looking at other locations and see if I can find a 3-4 lb version

I've never used a pancake or disk shaped downrigger weight.  But I've wondered whether they tend to veer to the left and/or right, rather than tracking straight like a round downrigger weight.

The lead ones I poured did swim a bunch side to side, I think mostly due to the fact that I was unable to get a large fin set into the mold to help the weight track. They are profiles like an axe head and might attract fish due to the chrome finish and the swimming action. Maybe something to use when doing a super short set back?

Interesting concept.  Lead balls have much smaller fins, but nice to have something that won't roll.