[bulletbob]

jrock.. I have often thought about getting a few small riggers, but never pulled the trigger.. I am pretty die hard jigging guy and catch plenty of big lakers that way on CayugaSeneca/Keuka... Rainbows, Browns and Salmon are much tougher to catch on jigs, and are really a bycatch, although I did get an 11 pound brown 2 years ago jigging. I sometimes flat line troll in spring and fall, and I do exactly as you stated.. I stop the motor, and fight the fish without dragging it..


I might get a few small riggers, we'll see.. On these huge lakes its the only way to catch what are locally know as "silver fish" with any real consisency.. Rainbows,Browns,LL Salmon..


. Lake Trout fishing is very good jigging- sometimes better than trolling, but its ALL lakers..
The "silver fish" aren't everywhere, and if you don't troll you simply don't catch many..

I know that Hybrid Stripers are taken jigging and with bait on the bigger north jersey lakes,, but that good trollers seem to get them very consistently... I can afford riggers, thats not the issue..

Its weird.. If I start downrigger trolling, I will feel that I somehow "sold out" I guess... Oh well, Walleye and SMB fishing will be getting good in the river pretty soon. For next season however, I will certainly consider your good advice,, It will help a lot on the big lakes up here.. I have the boats too, just gotta get off my ass and find a few good portable downriggers... bob