A down-rigger is a manual or electric device that can drop and retrieve a heavy lead ball to any depth required to catch fish. Used while trolling for salmon, the fishing line is clipped to the ball, going for a ride to where the fish are. When a fish bites the lure, the line is released from the ball so the fisherman can fight the fish without ten pounds of lead slowing things down.
Salmon fishing opened yesterday, so off we went to catch dinner. At our first fishing spot, about an hour from the marina (but right in front of our next anchorage), Sarah put us in position, slowed the boat, and I started to lower the gear to 100 feet.
At about 70 feet there was an unexpected bounce to the fishing pole, much like when a salmon hits hard. That hopeful thought lasted less the a second. I spent the next minute staring in disbelief at the end of the down-rigger. I couldn’t speak. The wire that should have been leading down into the water holding the big expensive ball and assorted other clips and leads was gone. The stainless wire had broken.
Unfortunately there were no spares on the boat, and we really do need a down-rigger to salmon fish. Back to the marina we went to order replacements.
After studying the stainless steel wire, I found the failure was due to corrosion, so the wire will be replaced as well.
Our parts (with spares) arrive tomorrow on the supply boat.
UPDATE:
We were able to get the parts needed to put the down-rigger back in action. Unfortunately, when replacing the wire, I failed to spool it tight enough. The first time we used it the wire jammed at about 90 feet. Luckily, nothing was lost. So, back to the dock to un-spool and then re-spool, but this time with lots of tension.
At last we are able to troll for salmon. Now, if the fish would just cooperate!
Salmon fishing opened yesterday, so off we went to catch dinner. At our first fishing spot, about an hour from the marina (but right in front of our next anchorage), Sarah put us in position, slowed the boat, and I started to lower the gear to 100 feet.
At about 70 feet there was an unexpected bounce to the fishing pole, much like when a salmon hits hard. That hopeful thought lasted less the a second. I spent the next minute staring in disbelief at the end of the down-rigger. I couldn’t speak. The wire that should have been leading down into the water holding the big expensive ball and assorted other clips and leads was gone. The stainless wire had broken.
Unfortunately there were no spares on the boat, and we really do need a down-rigger to salmon fish. Back to the marina we went to order replacements.
After studying the stainless steel wire, I found the failure was due to corrosion, so the wire will be replaced as well.
Our parts (with spares) arrive tomorrow on the supply boat.
UPDATE:
We were able to get the parts needed to put the down-rigger back in action. Unfortunately, when replacing the wire, I failed to spool it tight enough. The first time we used it the wire jammed at about 90 feet. Luckily, nothing was lost. So, back to the dock to un-spool and then re-spool, but this time with lots of tension.
At last we are able to troll for salmon. Now, if the fish would just cooperate!
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