Downrigger Weight

Whats the common weight for downrigger weights for trolling salmon in the ocean. Is 4lbs enough weight for regular speed trolling

Or is a fish seeker good enough in orders to save some money on a downrigger.

I would also replace the wire with braid.  I use PowerPro. A lot less drag and much easier to cut if it gets hung up.

Hi Yakers:

 I have use 2 1/2 Lbs. Balls with Brass release.
                                                    Sea-ya
                                                    Ernie


                                                         

  I suspect that the braid won't  "Sing" as loud as the wire either.  I plan to change the wire on my DR, Just haven't "got round" to it yet.  As for weight, I have a 4 1/2 lb torpedo style on my tiny "Lake troller"

Any idea were to order a smaller weight smallest I've seen is 4lbs

was gonna order braid with it

Fisherman's Warehouse has the 2-1/2 lb torpedo D.R. weights $for 9.99

Ryan - The quick answer is 2-3#. I would switch to spectra. I use 30# red Power Pro. If you are trolling a big dodger or fishing deeper than 30' 3-4# may be needed. You should PM polepole or zeelander. Those NWKA guys have more experience with salmon trolling with downriggers. I used the 2 1/2# torpedo which they sell at Fishermans Warehouse for 2 years and it works well for freshwater trolling. I never got a chance to try it for salmon. Personally I think the ball shaped weights with fin track better with less resistance so I traded some gear to a friend for a set of custom downrigger weights from 1-3# and LOVE them.

I personally wouldn't use the sinker release method because lead balls are expensive these days and probably not good for the ocean. I have used diving planes (pink lady) and didn't like the resistance/drag on the boat.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=32

Larger sizes

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0002052010621a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=Keel+Downrigger+Weight++&Ntk=Product_liberal&sort=all&Go.y=15&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=16

For salmon trolling in the ocean I have had lots of success using a sinker release and a 1# ball with 30# spectra from a power boat.  The spectra cuts through the water so well it is like using the traditional 2.5# ball and 25# mono.

As far as environmental concerns go I think it is the smaller lead shot and sinkers that are a problem because they can be ingested by critters and then enter the food chain. I'd hate to encounter the beast that could snack on 1 to 3 pound lead sinkers!
 
I don't have much experience trolling for salmon from a kayak but I think simpler is better and that you would have a very tough time keeping enough forward momentum while simultanously deploying a downrigger and your fishing rod in the ocean swells. Without forward movement your rig is likely to get tangled.

Hope we get a season this year but it's looking a bit unlikely at this point. 



-Eliot

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