Down rigger worth the trouble ?

If you're new to salmon trolling on the ocean I'd advise using more basic gear to start out.

Double DeepSix isn't that hard to paddle around with - I can't wait to drag my train of gear for some miles.

Counting down the hours...

 

I am so stoked to be a part of ncka! I did not think of the danger factor having a DR in the ocean would cause. Mahalo everyone for being a sound voice of reason. I will ready the DR for tahoe this year, but I think I will leave it off in the salt.

Aloha

Isao

And here's my 2 cents: If its Ocean Salmon your fishing, then yes like Eric/LoletaEric said, try out a deep six first or weights. Why? Cause it is safer and it works. You want to get to know how your DR works first before going out to the ocean with it first. Kelp, bottom snags, Apparently Sharks now, all come into risk when using a DR on the Ocean. And the big blue is way more swelly which can lead to a flipped yak if you do get stuck. Personally, I use a DR because I'm really good at operating mine and find  itway more accurate with depth compared to all other methods. It is definetly a workout to fish with if your in a paddling yak, but HOBIE , makes it that much more easier to use and I don't find it to be a problem with pull or much drag at all. The trick is to definitely  cutout the cable and replace with 85lb.+ braid. Furthermore, using the fish shaped DR ball makes a much more improvement as far as drag goes. I mostly use mine for kokes as well and regularly use it up to 100ft AND BOUNCE bottom with it too. Not advised, but do it. Btw, Scotty makes a DR solely for kayaks and small boats. Its what I use and Love it.

Like to the idea on the braid for the dr. If I consider the dr for deeper troll. Probably wont attempt until I have outriggers for my hobie . Have plenty of divers. Or I will cheat and take out my Klamath. 

Here is a tip for not getting your fishing line tangled in your downrigger cable. When you hook a fish, leave the rod in the rod holder, keep peddling forward and make a broad slow turn to the side of your downrigger.  As you make the turn, pull your downrigger up, then pick up the rod.  This maneuver puts distance between the fish and the DR cable and buys you time to pull the ball up while maintaining pressure on the fish and hook. You can do this in a paddle kayak but it is harder to execute. In a Hobie, it's a thing of beauty.

+1 on what Ricci said.

Here is a tip for not getting your fishing line tangled in your downrigger cable. When you hook a fish, leave the rod in the rod holder, keep peddling forward and make a broad slow turn to the side of your downrigger.  As you make the turn, pull your downrigger up, then pick up the rod.  This maneuver puts distance between the fish and the DR cable and buys you time to pull the ball up while maintaining pressure on the fish and hook. You can do this in a paddle kayak but it is harder to execute. In a Hobie, it's a thing of beauty.

+1 on what Ricci said.

That is the same maneuver I perform from my Klamath. I get irritated when I fish with a friend of mine on his striper boat. He is so use to fishing commercial salmon he is set on always keeping the boat steering straight with a fish on He has lost so many fish at the boat because at the last minute they dive under the boat and can not be netted, swim forward and he loses them. I tell him that he needs to steer the boat so that the fish is moved slightly out away from the boat and then steered in closer to the boat as the fish is reeled in closer to make it easier netting. I do the same thing for larger trout !!

Ah Hah ! Found this dr that was given to me by a friend that I worked in the printing business years back. Sonny Schneider. Haven't seen him in 14rys. hope he is well. I think this one fits the bill. Be a  while before its installed. Got a ton of projects and I move like a turtle . Definetly use it once I have installed outriggers on my hobie for the ocean. Can we do a poll on how many of us are pack rats?

Ah Hah ! Found this dr that was given to me by a friend that I worked in the printing business years back. Sonny Schneider. Haven't seen him in 14rys. hope he is well. I think this one fits the bill. Be a  while before its installed. Got a ton of projects and I move like a turtle . Definetly use it once I have installed outriggers on my hobie for the ocean. Can we do a poll on how many of us are pack rats?

That's a Big Jon, right?  I think I have one just this one, maybe 30 years old.

-Allen

That's a Big Jon, right?  I think I have one just this one, maybe 30 years old.

-Allen
[/quote]

Yes Sir, Hopefully put it to Good use Soon !!!!! Brake in excellent condition. Just needs a little cleaning.

Damn that's a big dr for a yak.
 Here's the big Jon I run.

Damn that's a big dr for a yak.
 Here's the big Jon I run.

I'm thinking this one would be a lot easier winding up with a 3 lb ball deep in the ocean. as I have mentioned, if I ever get outriggers for my hobie. hint hint ! any extra ones lying around with all these Big time Dealers around here...

If you're new to salmon trolling on the ocean I'd advise using more basic gear to start out.

Double DeepSix isn't that hard to paddle around with - I can't wait to drag my train of gear for some miles.

Counting down the hours...

 

It's more like miles, and miles, and miles, and miles and miles...........

Man I can't wait!!!

I was just farting around on YouTube last night and saw that there are a handful of videos taken in Bodega on 7/4/13 and 7/13/13, the two days I was out there trolling with the fleet. I watched a couple to see if any kayakers would make a cameo in the background, but didn't see any...

Man I can't wait!!!

I was just farting around on YouTube last night and saw that there are a handful of videos taken in Bodega on 7/4/13 and 7/13/13, the two days I was out there trolling with the fleet. I watched a couple to see if any kayakers would make a cameo in the background, but didn't see any...

I was out there on 7/13 - look for "bodega salmon fishing kayak". /threadjack

Nudling- Was that you with the AI? Looked like a Shimano Trevala rod?

If so, awesome video. Makin' it look easy!