How to Use a Down Rigger
Using a down rigger on your boat helps you fish at different depths of water. You will be able to lure fish swimming in deeper water. Fish tend to travel in schools at different depths, and down riggers help fishermen troll their lures at adjustable depths to hook the fish. Operating a down rigger is a matter of tending a cable line, your fishing rod and setting up weights and lures to send them to a preferred depth behind your boat, safely away from the propeller.
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Instructions
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1
Attach the weight to the snap hook. Use enough weight to ensure the cable does not tilt more than a 30-degree angle. According to Scotty Downriggers (see reference), most fishing conditions call for a weight of 7 to 12 lbs.
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2
Turn the "Auto Stop" function to "Off" and lower the weight into the water. Turn the "Auto Stop" function to "On" to allow down rigger to stop the weight from dropping farther into the water when it reaches a "Stop Bead" built onto the cable line.
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3
Use the "Jog" button to bring the cable line out of the water. Attach the fishing line of your fishing rod to the snap-release clip located next to the weight on the cable line. Squeeze the clip to open the pads. Run the fishing line through the pads and stop squeezing to hold the fishing line securely between the pads.
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4
Set your fishing rod in the rod holder of the down rigger and adjust the tension of the fishing line for slack. Move the "Brake" line in a clockwise direction to lower the weight back into the water.
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5
Start the boat and steer it forward, allowing the down rigger to help your fishing rod troll through the water. Watch the tip of the rod for movement signaling that you have caught a fish. According to Scotty Downriggers, note the depth level on the depth reader of the down rigger to send the weight and fishing line to the same spot.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid tangling the fishing line with the down rigger cabling and other fishing rods by winding up all rods and down riggers before stopping the boat to drift.
