Downrigger tips

So I have been getting used to using my downrigger at Berryessa the last few weeks. It is a bit tricky dealing with the sudden depth changes. You never know if it is going to hit bottom or not. I am also wondering about long setbacks. If I am trolling 20ft down with a 20ft setback in 30ft of water I worry about snagging if I stop.

So how do you deal with all the depth changes etc? Any other tips on using downriggers on lakes?

You have reason to worry about snags when you're that far set back.  Even a direction change can slow down the troll enough to snag if you are not paying attention. 

For me, I never set back anywhere near 20'.  More like 5'.  Also, I pay close attention to my FF and set alarms.  For example; trolling at 25' deep, I set the alarm for 22'.  When I hear it, I immediately give 5 cranks on the downrigger and peddle fast.  Then evaluate what just happened and why. 

This can happen especially when shore tracking and there are points and such.  Not so much when channel tracking, where a slight course correction puts you back in the deep water again. 

You have reason to worry about snags when you're that far set back.  Even a direction change can slow down the troll enough to snag if you are not paying attention. 

For me, I never set back anywhere near 20'.  More like 5'.  Also, I pay close attention to my FF and set alarms.  For example; trolling at 25' deep, I set the alarm for 22'.  When I hear it, I immediately give 5 cranks on the downrigger and peddle fast.  Then evaluate what just happened and why. 

This can happen especially when shore tracking and there are points and such.  Not so much when channel tracking, where a slight course correction puts you back in the deep water again.

Setting alarms is a good idea. I'll have to see if mine has one. From what I read and heard recently, long setbacks are not uncommon. Is it different trolling from a kayak?

Setbacks in theory can be less from a kayak vs a boat because kayaks are stealthier if you have good paddle technique. Setbacks vary based on water clarity, boat traffic, time of day, target species water depth and trolling depth. Even though kayaks are stealthier, I use the same 150' rule that boats use for trout. Flatlining, 150' set back, 30' down 120' set back etc. If you are trolling close to the bottom, use a floating or suspending shallow diving plug. They bottom out less than other rigs. Flatlining for browns and macs in shallow water I will setback over 200'

For kokanee and salmon I use a much shorter setback and run a flasher off of the ball.

Also, with a downrigger, you don't need to go as far behind the kayak when going shallow.

For example; if I were targeting top 5' of water trolling, and I do that regularly for mountain lakes for rainbow, (there's a reason eagles and other raptors catch fish), I would have to set out 100' or so of line for my lure, depending on how fast and what tackle I've got tied on.  With a downrigger, I can set back 30' at just below surface and it's good.  Plus, I have the trip of my line to indicate I've got a fish on and can spend less time watching my rod tip. 
This is with a Hobie.  Not sure about paddle kayaks and their effect on frightening fish.  I've had plenty of fish hit my lure within a few feet of my Hobie while reeling in and still peddling, so I know peddling doesn't seem to scare off fish. 

BTW, I'm going to give your technique a try; longer setbacks. 20' set back at 20' deep, and see how that goes.

For kokanee and salmon I use a much shorter setback and run a flasher off of the ball.

Just curious as to how much shorter. For salmon in saltwater, most of the stuff I've read says 25' to 30' setback.

For kokanee and salmon I use a much shorter setback and run a flasher off of the ball.

Just curious as to how much shorter. For salmon in saltwater, most of the stuff I've read says 25' to 30' setback.

7-30' is the range but it depends on what you are trolling. 15' is usually where I start the day. The party boats out of SF run everybody with sinker release with a 5-7' leader at 10-30 pulls so it isn't like ocean salmon are boat shy nor are they leader shy. 

Hey thanks for all the downrigger tips guys, can't wait to try mine out .  Lookin forward to gettin my first salmon on a yak.

I have trolled for Kokes at 15' with my rig on the back of the ball and caught fish. If I am top lining for trout I am out sometimes 150' or more. Just depends on the lake, the traffic, the clarity, and 20 other things. I always run flashers on the ball too. No matter how far the set back is. I have trolled for macks and browns with my lure 1' being the flashers on the ball. It just takes time to learn what different fish in different conditions really want.

I have also trolled for kokes with a setback of 100' at 50-80' deep and caught lots of fish too.

I guess I can add a tip as well. After starting with heavy fishing braid for the downrigger line I switched to the heavy duty Scotty downrigger braid. My first line broke as I paddled out with the weight dangling over the edge of the boat. I decided to check the end of my downrigger braid and it looked damaged. It has the little rubber bumper that covers it so I'm not sure what happened. I cut a little off the line and reattached it. Even though I carry a spare terminal setup, I'd rather not lose another one.  Check your line!

I cut a foot or so off every trip and re-tie.  Braid just doesn't last long it seems on the end where there is the tackle attached.  I learned this the hard way when my weight/ball bounced on the bottom a couple times. 

How heavy on the downrigger ball you using Jerry? 

4 pound ball with a fin on the back.  Seems that if I don't trim and retie, I'll loose a ball if I touch the bottom while moving.  This has happened 3 times now in about 50' of water, trolling for kokes and macks.  I've never had the problem with a fresh line end and tie though. 

Setbacks in theory can be less from a kayak vs a boat because kayaks are stealthier if you have good paddle technique. Setbacks vary based on water clarity, boat traffic, time of day, target species water depth and trolling depth. Even though kayaks are stealthier, I use the same 150' rule that boats use for trout. Flatlining, 150' set back, 30' down 120' set back etc. If you are trolling close to the bottom, use a floating or suspending shallow diving plug. They bottom out less than other rigs. Flatlining for browns and macs in shallow water I will setback over 200'

For kokanee and salmon I use a much shorter setback and run a flasher off of the ball.

+1 to all of this