Down Rigger weight?

[jdm130]

This Aug. will be my first time trolling on Lake Ontario. Im wondering what the best weight cannon ball is to use. I use 8# at 90' down in NJ for lakers with no problems, are they large enough or do I need to get heavier cannon balls for lake Ontario?

[bluewater]

I would go with at least 13lb weights to reduce blowback at that depth. I used to use 8lb balls but it was tough to guess where my flashers and spoons were. Do yourself a favor and get the torpedo weights. Either 13 or 15 lb. Some times there can be strong underwater current and the torpedo weights track very true.

[jdm130]

I do have two 12 pound fish shaped weights that I bought a long time ago but I have to find them. They are in a box somewhere from when we moved 5 years ago. LOL if I find them do you think they will do?

[LongLine]

Yes 12 Lb fish should take you down to that depth nicely. Just make sure they're running true.

Tom B.

(LongLine)

[adam2000]

I just switched to a 15 from a 12 for my probe rigger andi keep blowing fuses. What size fuse do you guys use? They were 30's im pretty sure

[ Post made via Android ]

[jekyll]

12 pound fish shape should be ok in August. The big salmon are in shallower staging for the migration and most fishing will be 80 down or less and they seem to like slower trolls at that time. 8 pound rounds will take a lot of cable to get down where the kings are earlier in the year if you are fishing the east end of the lake.

If you want to buy new balls, the 13 lb torpedos sold by AT-TOM-MIK are great. As others have said, they run true and have low drag. I run15 lb torpedos and love them. Some older riggers might squack at 15 lb.

[Shelby Lynn]

Quick question do you run your releases off the weights or above the weights?

[LongLine]

Above the weight. You're asking for problems if you attach to the weight as the drag from the line & lure will tend to steer the weight.

Tom B.

(LongLine)

[adam2000]

Tom hit the nail on the head. I run blacks realeases and for the probe its on the rigger cable above it and I just hold it in place with a small planer release. If you run the line off the back of a shark or torpedo it will not track right cause you'll be pilling the rear up when you tighten down your rod

[ Post made via Android ]

[Big Dave]

Above the weight and the probe, blacks for me they swivel on the shaft&clip

[Mortigan]

Tom hit the nail on the head. I run blacks realeases and for the probe its on the rigger cable above it and I just hold it in place with a small planer release. If you run the line off the back of a shark or torpedo it will not track right cause you'll be pilling the rear up when you tighten down your rod

[ Post made via Android ]

Is the same true off a basic cannonball? We've been running straight off the ball and have had some sucess but aren't experienced enough to really know the difference. This is our first year trolling.

[LongLine]

If the weight has any kind of fin then it is advised to place the release above it. Additionally any kind of flasher should also be run w/release above any kind of weight.

Tom B.

(LongLine)

[Mortigan]

Thanks, Tom.

[adam2000]

The best thing you'll ever do is ditch those balls and go to a shark or torpedo. The diffeence is night and day. Blowback on my probe with a 12 ball was almost 23 ft at 80 down. Went to a 15 lb torpedo and now its like 9 ft. So much easier

[ Post made via Android ]

[Shelby Lynn]

Thanks for all the ino, I use 13# panicake weights with the fins off the back and I normally attached a scotty release to the back of the fin. Just ordered Chamberlain releases and will change them out, thanks again

[Skippers Trophy 01]

My old Big Jon's are squalking with just 10 pounders. Can/should I get the probe one rebuilt or something?

I think they are Capt. Paks.

[BAZOOKAJOE]

How should i run my off-shore releases with my new torpedo weights? Clip them to the top eye on the weight or onto the rigger cable?

[Tim Bromund]

top eye of the weight.

[BAZOOKAJOE]

Thanks man, that's what i was thinking but thought i'd get another opinion.