I personally never use or see the need to use a downrigger fishing the west end of the lake for eyes. It pretty shallow so I don't get it personally. From what I can tell nearly everyone either fishes the following: Big planer boards with either body baits or jet divers with spoons or harnesses, offshore planer boards (small inline boards) with the same things attached, or dipsys with spoons or harnesses on them. Any dipsy, jet or body bait you can get will get down to the bottom anyhow. For perch, can't get simpler than a crappie rig and a sinker with minnows... Make sure you get lake shiners! Perch spreaders are also good to use heck even an single sinker with a hook and minnow will work. I make my own rigs and have great success with them.