Trolling, Downriggers or not?

I tried trolling for the first time at the BSS3. I only had the dodger and lure out with a lot of line. I have no idea how deep it ran and I want to correct that problem. I have been reading a lot here about downriggers. There seems to be pros and cons for every way to go about trolling. Right now I want to be able to troll for trout etc in lakes and for Stripers etc in the delta and someday maybe Salmon in the ocean. I would like to know if there is a consensus on the best way to troll. With all things considered my most important consideration is catching fish, I am less worried about the feel of it. I am fishing from a Tarpon 120 with rudder and fish finder. Is using a Downrigger the way to go?

I think it's more of personal preference. I don't use down riggers. I use a 5/8th to 1oz keel weight in front of my dodger. However I also only target trout in the winter when they are on top. By the time the lakes warm up and the trout go deep the ocean opens up.

I use a DR when I need to be precise on the depth. I use a three way swivel dropper weight combo when I don't need to be perfect. DR's work good once you get used to them. In the ocean I never have used one. I will be using a Deep Six for Salmon at Shelter Cove. You just need to know where the fish should be and work the method from there. 

When I was trolling for trout in relatively cold weather, one 3/8 oz bullet weight slid onto the main line (braid) seemed to get me where I wanted to go, and I didn't think much more about it. Then, fishing with Kokayak (Dave), he mentioned that with about twice as much weight he got to about 12 feet.

At BSS3 I tried 3, and a gadget I have to measure temps at 5 foot increments told me I was at 20 feet with 3 - 3/8 bullet weights on the main line with a dodger and lure behind. So, each 3/8 oz bullet weight at 1.5 - 1.8 mph is good for something like 6 feet. All good as far as it goes.

I have a DR (I think a Scotty 'depth master') I've been messing with to make functional/comfortable on a yak (looking pretty ghetto at this point). It works fine, but is a fussy business. I think weights, or lead core, are probably better down to at least 30 feet. Once you need to reach something like 50' a DR is probably a better, if fussier, option. That said, I've not tried any of the diving boards, and they seem to work pretty well.

On a hobie, (I have an outback) i can see no reason why someone wouldn't want a downrigger.  As far as I'm concerned having a lot of weight and drag and your line sucks.  Fishing for me is all about the fight.  Maybe on a paddle yak downriggers would be a problem, I really can't say.  Downriggers put you at the depth you intend to fish... period.  If you are marking fish at 45ft. and you are pulling a lure that runs at five feet, set your DR at 40ft. and be confident you ARE FISHING where the fish ARE AT. 

At BSS3 I tried 3, and a gadget I have to measure temps at 5 foot increments told me I was at 20 feet with 3 - 3/8 bullet weights on the main line with a dodger and lure behind. So, each 3/8 oz bullet weight at 1.5 - 1.8 mph is good for something like 6 feet. All good as far as it goes.

Is that impacted by the amount of line you let out? Ken

It should be dependent on the amount of line. I run 100-150' usually when I am top lining or weighted a bit depending on gear and depth I am looking for.

That's what I figured and is why I am leaning towards a downrigger. No trolling method is perfect, but at least with a downrigger the effort should get you to the depth you are targeting. I don't know enough about the reliability of the pink lady and deep six devices to judge them.

I get by using Dipsy Divers (usually the smallest one). Actually works quite well for my conventional freshwater gear.

I run an electric-free kayak (ie. too lazy to install FF), so I just go out into the deep water and get into formation with the big boats and pay attention to the ones which are netting fish.





 

Is that impacted by the amount of line you let out? Ken

I haven't tried varying the length and measuring. The example I mentioned was with about 50' out. I *think* that once you get out that far, more doesn't have much impact... but until a person actually measures, how do you know? The reason I think it stops making a difference after a point, is when I've trolled with one weight in shallow areas, I didn't hit bottom more often with 30 or 60 feet out.

I don't catch fish all the time, but I've been able to get kokes/trout etc. almost every time with a 3way and about 2 oz of lead out about 50 - 70 pulls.
I really don't want the hassle of the downrigger, I figure if I'm gonna load up my yak with every fishing device possible I might as well just fish from a power boat. - Not that there's anything wrong with that...

I love fishing w the dr. That's why I bought the ride 135. I fish for Kokanee mostly and don't like all the weights and 3 way stuff it's just a clip w hook and line. If you get the dr definitely get a shuttlehawk a pain to get used to but after a few tries its easy and well worth it. I use a 2 lb ball sinker for weight to cable. Each crank is equivalent to one foot. Give me a jingle if you ever want to try on your boat. I have 2 of them and will meet you

 

  When I was a kid, my grand parents used to have a 5th wheel parked up on Shasta, and they trolled all the time.  Back then their measure of depth was how many "Pulls" of line they had out.  They used CB's back then on the lake and everybody used the "Pull" method.  When I had my small 12' alum boat, I tried their "Pull" method a few times, but ultimately went back to my DR.
  Having a DR on a paddle yak may be cumbersome at first, I have an OB so I really can't speak with experience about paddling and DR use.
  For me, I'm not crazy about attaching heavy weights on my main line to get depth.  If/when I see fish on my FF, I know with a  couple to many rotation on my DR I can get to the depth I need, and sometimes actually see it on my FF.  There was a learning curve in using my DR on my OB, as I have it mounted behind me on my left (STBD side)just behind the seat. 
   With PFD on, it gets somewhat tight cranking the DR line down, but with use, it has gotten easier, and I'm not as concerned about tipping over now.  These were concerns I had while installing the DR.   DR use was not new to me, as I used it on my small boat.  Once you get used to using it, IE feeding the line out, managing your rod and maintaining steerage on the yak all at the same time, you'll be happy.
   Prior to me getting a DR I used lead core line.  At best I think I was only able to get maybe 20' of depth using it.  I did catch many trout on LL though.  Oh 100% use of my LL and DR has been in fresh water.

Seriously, if you are new to yak fishing try trolling straight up no xtra doo-dads etc. for a while (months-years?)
while you get used to your yak, and become safe on the water.
After you gain more experience with your new found sport, slowly add more methods to your growing knowledge base.
It's somewhat misleading to think that you would be able to just buy more stuff, and that would equate to the fishing success you might see others having. It's important to figure out a lot of fishing stuff on your own, by trial and error, to mold yourself into the fish-catching machine that you want to be.