DIY Downrigger for SWR

[CrazyChenski]

Lesson learned over the weekend. Never try to speed up knife sharpening, just because you got the hang of it....... Else end up like me, with a deep cut to my finger tip which took me close to 45 minutes to stop the bleeding completely. Not to mention, grounded for the rest of the long weekend, not allow fishing.

Since I have time on my hand, I made the decision to make some pre-SWR re-adjustment to my fishing crate on revo, as well as installing the DIY Down-rigger.

Mande it up with an ebay cheapo OH reel spooled with some left over 20lb red mono line, paired with my old broken shimano Sonic Pro rod cut into size as swing arm. As I have a surplus RAM C Ball mount and rod holder, it is easy to just mount it onto my crate, and voila !

Now just need to think of how heavy the sinker I need for this downrigger .......

[shane]

Looking good Steve.

I use either a 3 or 4 lb bomb for my downrigger. I've got both with me but may need the spare if the wahoo fire up. I'd suggest you get a 20 or 24oz bomb sinker as the slow speeds with livies shouldn't need too much weight.

[Wind Waker]

Forget the downrigger, what are you creating with the push bike?

Good job though. Nice and simple

[choppers]

Looks good.
Shame u cut yourself sharpening a knife lol rookie mistake

[Hvalross]

Might want to think about 20ib line.......50-80lb better, I used to be able to source a down rigger bomb shaped like a torpedo ( should still be available) with a fin to which a person could attach a line release (not too heavy, more like a half kilo) . Gotta keep the setup from spinning, or you will just end up with an awful tangle and bugger up the release.

Imagine the scene.. tangle, tuna, and a big long run ..........( ) ....

[isportfish]

Forget the downrigger, what are you creating with the push bike?

I think just a pair of dry pants hanging in front of the bike.

[shane]

Have you got a release clip Steve? Try to source one if you can, otherwise you can use rubber bands but will need them thin to break at the right weight. Get a very large egg shaped sinker (24oz) and screw an eylet into the side of it. Then attach a large snap swivel to it via a splitring. Test to make sure it won't spin too much. One of my downrigger balls is just a sphere with no rudder and it seems to track straight with the release coming off its middle.

You take a very light rubber band, loop it over the line, tighten then put it in the snap swivel. When a fish takes the bait the rubber band will break and you can raise the sinker and fight the fish.

[CrazyChenski]

Yep, got a release clip . Bought that awhile back when I saw it.

I have only 10oz sinker at home, so might pop into BCF to get one. As for the torpedo shape trolling sinker, I did saw one in BCF a few weeks back. but quite expensive........ and big .......

[cheaterparts]

Yep, got a release clip . Bought that awhile back when I saw it.

I have only 10oz sinker at home, so might pop into BCF to get one. As for the torpedo shape trolling sinker, I did saw one in BCF a few weeks back. but quite expensive........ and big .......

Steve I used 3 pound ball last year but am going to try a 1 pound weight this year - it would take a pretty strong slimmy to swim that up and I think at the slow pase we troll liveys it should do the job

I have also modified my downrigger for this years trip