Question on Downriggers and Bandits aprox. 1.2 to1.5 mph

[fishhawk2700]

I never attach a crank bait directly to the connon ball. Instead, I use a stacker release and attach my crank above the ball. This allows you to run a longer lead if desired. Just use a trolling app for you distance back to depth ratio above the ball for your stacker. You mentioned fishing for fish on the bottom. Keep this in mind that walleye tend to feed UP. That is why I always keep the ball a foot or two off bottom. If the fish are really biting, I take a six foot leader and attach it directly to the cannon ball and run a spoon. Just remember this constitutes another two rods.

[GatorBait]

fish hawk ty I do understand what your saying I do have the rods to run 6 a side!! but will have to invest in my stackers...lol but between boards weights and length of bandits trolled behind usally don't have much trouble.... Just wanted to try on slow days.. that saying I know a capt. that besides running 4boards a side also runs downriggers with snubbers attached to ball and just checks it periodalicy for fish... lol i just wanted to run a pole on that concept instead of bringing up ball to check for fish.../.just saying

[Bamatroller]

I知 new to downrigging. I read your comment fishhawk about clipping directly to the ball with a crankbait. Why not clip there instead of right about it on the cable?

[fishhawk2700]

I知 new to downrigging. I read your comment fishhawk about clipping directly to the ball with a crankbait. Why not clip there instead of right about it on the cable?

Not quite sure what you're are asking. What I attach to the ball is a short(6ft) lead and run a spoon off it. I run my primary bait off a stacker release above the ball.

[Bamatroller]

Not quite sure what you're are asking. What I attach to the ball is a short(6ft) lead and run a spoon off it. I run my primary bait off a stacker release above the ball.

I was referring to what you said about hooking a clip directly to the ball and running a crankbait from that clip I was wondering you壇 had problems with rigging it that way. Maybe I misread or misunderstood what you were saying.

[fishhawk2700]

I was referring to what you said about hooking a clip directly to the ball and running a crankbait from that clip I was wondering you壇 had problems with rigging it that way. Maybe I misread or misunderstood what you were saying.

The OP was asking about running a crank close to the bottom off a rigger. It's just easier to keep your crank from plowing bottom if you use a stacker release and a trolling app. Your cannon ball becomes your lower limit. Example, take a crank that at 20' back runs 8' down @ 2.3 mph w/10# test. Place your stacker 10' above the ball, that way you can run your ball much closer to the bottom and have a known distance above the bottom for your crank. If the ball touches bottom, bring it up a hair, keep your crank running clean.. I didn't have a trolling app back when I used to run riggers a lot. It was trail and error. I don't even put my riggers on my boat anymore unless I go east to fish and that doesn't happen much. This is something to try on a slow bite day when they are sulking on the bottom. It's not part of my regular program.

[Bamatroller]

The OP was asking about running a crank close to the bottom off a rigger. It's just easier to keep your crank from plowing bottom if you use a stacker release and a trolling app. Your cannon ball becomes your lower limit. Example, take a crank that at 20' back runs 8' down @ 2.3 mph w/10# test. Place your stacker 10' above the ball, that way you can run your ball much closer to the bottom and have a known distance above the bottom for your crank. If the ball touches bottom, bring it up a hair, keep your crank running clean.. I didn't have a trolling app back when I used to run riggers a lot. It was trail and error. I don't even put my riggers on my boat anymore unless I go east to fish and that doesn't happen much. This is something to try on a slow bite day when they are sulking on the bottom. It's not part of my regular program.

I see what you池e saying now. Good method. Thanks for the info.