I just purchased downriggers for my boat to striper fish with. Since I've been strictly a live-bait man I was hoping to get a few pointers from the experts. Could you please let me know........
1. How much line should I let out before hooking
the line to the quick release clip on the
downrigger?
2. I was planning on using a three-way swivel with
1 1/2 oz. bucktail on the bottom and 1/2 oz
on the top. What would you recommend for the
leader length from the swivel to the bucktail?
FROM THE DOWNRIGGER BALL, I START OUT PUTTING ABOUT 25 FEET OF LINE ON THE FIRST DOWNRIGGER. THE NEXT DOWNRIGGER I PUT OUT ABOUT 30 FEET OF LINE FROM THE BALL. I TRY TO STAGGER THEM HOPING TO GET THE FIRST FISHES ATTENTION. BY THE TIME THE SECOND BAIT GETS THERE JUST MAYBE HE HIT. I USE 4 DOWNRIGGERS AND UP TO 4 LEADCORE. AS FAR AS LEADER, I TAKE THE LEADER AND STRETCH MAY ARMS OUT LIKE A CROSS. THATS THE FIRST LEADER AND I PUT THE HEAVER BUCKTAIL ON THIS LINE. FOR THE 2ND LEADER, I DO THE SAME THING PLUS I ADD ABOUT 2 FEET. I PUT THE SMALLER BUCKTAIL ON THIS ROD. SOME TIMES YOU HIT'EM SOMETIMES YOU DON'T. JUST MY 2 CENTS WORTH. SETTER
