Down rigger worth the trouble ?

Have a smaller trout down rigger that I think would be great for my kayak .For trolling for salmon. Is it worth all the trouble installing or is a deep diver the easier less complicated route? What weight trolling ball? 2lb ? Specifically the Monterey bay.

Salmon; 3-4# ball.  Deep works very well though.

I am guessing it would be best to mount downrigger so that descending wire is closest to the kayak as possible for balance issue?

 Any pic's of anyone with downrigger mounted for trolling salmon?

Do a search on NWKA - you'll find numerous posts on methods of mounting downriggers - on crates, on Scotty mounts, on PVC pipes, on Hobie cup holders.

I like using a downrigger - you always know how deep you are.  You're always guessing when using other methods.

I don't know anything about Monterey Bay, but up north here we generally need at least 4 to 8 lbs. to get down deep enough (40 to 100') for salmon.  Your downrigger looks a little light for anything but a couple pounds. 

Do a search on NWKA - you'll find numerous posts on methods of mounting downriggers - on crates, on Scotty mounts, on PVC pipes, on Hobie cup holders.

I like using a downrigger - you always know how deep you are.  You're always guessing when using other methods.

I don't know anything about Monterey Bay, but up north here we generally need at least 4 to 8 lbs. to get down deep enough (40 to 100') for salmon.  Your downrigger looks a little light for anything but a couple pounds.

Thanks for the response DoubleR. . 190 reads and no responses. Was getting ready to  . Ya ! probably a little light for anything over 2 lbs. I do have a larger downrigger as well.  Any issues with balance pulling 4lb plus weight? Concerns ? Do you carry wire cutters if you accidently flip and it is a issue righting your yak  with a 4lb down 150 ft? Thanks again for any help with your experiences. I have used downriggers from my boat for years. Just unsure of pro's and con's fishing deep in a kayak and what people would recommend.

Its definitely more of a workout to pull a downrigger - I think its the drag more than the weight.  Deploy it as close to the kayak as you can.

I replace the cable with 65# braid, with about a 20' topshot of mono, and a downrigger snubber at the weight.  The mono and snubber help absorb the shock of dropping the weight (avoid), and bouncing on the bottom.  You dont want to get hung up on the bottom with that cable.

I've never huli'ed with the downrigger, but I cheat because I use Hobie amas.

Funny you say that. I was just looking at those online for like 170.00 bucks.

That rigger is plenty big to run 4#s plus.I run 4#er at 100' for kokes at melones on a tiny dr with no problems.The reason you want the cable as close to the hull as possible is tracking. The closer the better..

That rigger is plenty big to run 4#s plus.I run 4#er at 100' for kokes at melones on a tiny dr with no problems.The reason you want the cable as close to the hull as possible is tracking. The closer the better..

Thanks for the input mike  . Hope ta see ya on the water this year. Headed to lake mcswain for a trout derby on the 12th. . salmon fishing will have ta wait til then. . Good luck with the kokes ! hope ta make it up this year. was great staying at the country inn at Sonora.

The efficacy of a downrigger is demonstrated in the number of salmon you get to the yak.  In other words, if another yaker is running a one pound drop ball or a deep six and is catching salmon.  Throw the downrigger out.   The down rigger is more work.  However, last year there was a couple of times once at Bodega and once at Bolinas, that the salmon were hugging the bottom.  The drop ball and deep six could not get to the 90 fow.  If I recall, the only person to get a salmon was one yaker that got one while jigging off the bottom.  This year I am taking all three methods as I got skunked last year while others got more salmon than ever.  Don't limit yourself to just one method.  The gear you take for wider options is not that heavy or difficult to pack. See you one the water loaded for bear, er salmon.

The efficacy of a downrigger is demonstrated in the number of salmon you get to the yak.  In other words, if another yaker is running a one pound drop ball or a deep six and is catching salmon.  Throw the downrigger out.   The down rigger is more work.  However, last year there was a couple of times once at Bodega and once at Bolinas, that the salmon were hugging the bottom.  The drop ball and deep six could not get to the 90 fow.  If I recall, the only person to get a salmon was one yaker that got one while jigging off the bottom.  This year I am taking all three methods as I got skunked last year while others got more salmon than ever.  Don't limit yourself to just one method.  The gear you take for wider options is not that heavy or difficult to pack. See you one the water loaded for bear, er salmon.

Like your thinking.  Good backup up if they dont want the danglin chovie.

The efficacy of a downrigger is demonstrated in the number of salmon you get to the yak.  In other words, if another yaker is running a one pound drop ball or a deep six and is catching salmon.  Throw the downrigger out.   The down rigger is more work.  However, last year there was a couple of times once at Bodega and once at Bolinas, that the salmon were hugging the bottom.  The drop ball and deep six could not get to the 90 fow.  If I recall, the only person to get a salmon was one yaker that got one while jigging off the bottom.  This year I am taking all three methods as I got skunked last year while others got more salmon than ever.  Don't limit yourself to just one method.  The gear you take for wider options is not that heavy or difficult to pack. See you one the water loaded for bear, er salmon.

Like your thinking.  Good backup up if they dont want the danglin chovie.

Bulldog,

I am in a similar boat as you are. I just got a Walker Dr, and am figuring out how to rig it up. I +1000 what raydon said about not limiting yourself to one option. I got a few skunks last year where people with dr'ers were getting fatties 

I would be stoked to see where and how you decide to mount yours! and I will do the same.
I chose the Walker dr (the smaller one) bc it was much lighter, and the weight was less spread out.

Aloha

Isao

DR's allow you to use less of a setback to achieve a target depth than a diver does, but are definitely more complicated to use.  However dragging a Deep Six around for hours isn't that easy either and causes a lot of drag to whatever side of yak your pulling it on.  Dropping lead can get expensive, but it's also a simpler approach to getting to depth.   So there really is give and take on each method. 

How many kayakers in Monterey Bay have caught salmon on downriggers? Not many. There's your answer!