I just picked up a Cannon manual downrigger from the walleye.com store.

Mounted it to the back of my boat and watched a few videos on how to use it. I tried trolling with it twice yesterday. First using a Rapala Husky Jerk, then later using a purple Reef Runner.

I was in 65 ft of water and had tons of fish marking from 55 ft to 65ft. Put out 50ft of line then lowered the ball to 50ft. I could see exactly where the ball was on my sonar.

My question is that the downrigger makes a "whirring" noise as it trolls through the water. Seemed like the fish cleared off my sonar whenever it was running too... I would only do this 15-20 minutes then lack of fish made me pull it out.

Am I doing something wrong or is this normal?

Thanks!