ghetto downrigger - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Chrisper4694 · #1 12-24-2014, 03:23 PM

want to fish depths not easily reachable with most trolling methods and want to cover more area than jigging? downrigger is the best option but i know i didn't want to spend the money on a set up to put on my little roof rack transported jon boat so i just ghetto rigged one!

took an old barrel reel that i wouldn't trust fighting a fish anyway and stuck it on an otherwise useless crappy bottom half of an old rod. stuck that in one clamp on rod holder and attached a saltwater three way barrel swivel with weight clip on one side clipped to a 5lbs sash weight and a regular clip on another side.

Then let my regular rod out with the lure i wanted to troll to the leader connection (modified albright knot). Looped a thin rubber band on above the leader knot and then clip the other end to the regular clip attached to the 3-way.

once it's attached while slowly moving in the boat you just loosen the regular rod drag and then lower the sash weight by playing with the star drag until it starts letting out and pulling on the regular rod line. I marked the barrel reel line with a dark mark every two feet so i just count the marks going out and put the lure at the exact depth i want then lock the barrel reel. tighten the drag on the lure rod to your desired pressure and reel in until the rubber band is nice and tight. ready to troll!

The rubber band doesn't always break with small fish but you can see them wiggling on there and a snap of the rod always breaks it. It's worked for me and cost me the price of a bag of rubber bands and the time to mark the downrigger line. pictures attached. any questions?

gwl2oneida · #2 12-24-2014, 04:20 PM

Hey, if it works.... big john makes a clamp on down rigger for rowboats, hand crank. I have one but it needs to be respooled.

Treble Hook Jim · #3 12-24-2014, 09:37 PM

You make me thankful for the fact that I can afford real downriggers... Merry Christmas!

GetANet · #4 12-25-2014, 03:40 AM

2-Points for the creative idea and cost almost nothing! Can't beat it! I am always looking for ways to use or rig tackle/rods etc. that I have lying around the garage. I am fortunate to also have the real deal as far as DR's also but they were hand me downs and one was given to me by a friend. I wouldn't be able to afford a pair of new ones either. I am trying to get the cash together to buy a Deck Arm but prob try to make something similar to it my self as well. Fishing can be and is an expensive hobby depending on your boat and tackle, gas, bait, battery's and lures all add up to a pretty penny so I save where ever I can!

briansnat · #5 12-25-2014, 11:48 AM

Even the most basic downriggers are incredibly expensive considering what simple devices they are. This is certainly a great idea for those who don't want spring for, or can't afford a downrigger. Luckily for me my wife got me one for my birthday last year, otherwise I'd be heading down to the basement right now to see what I have that can be used to make something like this.