Conference wahoo::fishing

    I have used them in fresh and have used them while fishing for blues.
    
    One thing I didn't like in some areas was all the eel grass
    that they seem to acumilate.
    
    I have thought about using them at jeffries but so far no
    gutts.  Over the years it seems I have lost a lot of anchors
    on lost gill nets.
    
    I have penn down rigers with the long boom.
    
    I have since bought a new boat ( several years ago and
    never even bothered putting them on. They are currently
    sitting in my garage.
    
    Jeff, What is your application?  I had thought it might be a good
    way to troll for giant Halibut.
    Bear

    	 When outfitting a new boat last year for salt water, I installed
    two Penn downriggers with the long booms (Model 620 I think). I have
    since questioned the wisdom of that investment. They were one of the
    more costly pieces of gear and they haven't really paid off yet. I've
    used them on Mackeral and Blues but haven't had any more luck with
    them than wire line or lead core. They do result in more sport when
    fighting fish on lighter rigs but the hassle of using them offsets
    this to some extent (The old keep it simple principle).
    	In principle they should be quite valuable. They offer the kind
    of depth control that can't be matched with anything else. In practice
    however, they seem to add more complexity than I like.
    Paul
    
    P.S. My experience with outriggers is similar, although the hassles
    have been less and the benefits seem greater with the outriggers.
    I guess I just like it simple.

    I have not used down riggers but I would like to pass this on. When
    fishing for blues I have found they often hang out around 30ft down
    when in deep water. I troll rapala magnums with the big metal lip
    very slow. These seem to have no problem running 30ft down since I usually
    catch fish when I mark them at that depth. Another way to fish deep
    for blues is to fish bait with a 1 oz lead, this is enough to get
    the bait deep without taking away from the fight. Down in long island
    sound they use diamond jigs, this is not  that popular around here.
     
    This is just offered as an alternative way to fish deep without
    down riggers.
    
    Bruce

    Down riggers can be used quite effectively for the pelagic species
    common to this area (New England). While they are just beginning
    to come into favor in salt water, several people I have had favorable
    results. They are effective when trolling for blues and weakfish.
    Some fishermen have tried them for school tuna and have been successful
    in trolling rigged baits.
    
     Something to keep in mind: downriggers aren't only for trolling.
    The can be useful in still fishing also. One method is to tie a
    chum bag to the ball and lower it to just above where you're marking
    fish. As the chum drifts out of the bag, it will attract baitfish
    which in turn will attract predators (fun fish). You can even lure
    the fish to the surface by *slowly* bringing the bag up towards
    the surface. You are limited only by your imagination. You might
    also want to add a live bait to a line in the clip, but you usually
    have to slow troll to prevent the little bugger from tangling with
    the cable. Have fun- they can make the difference between fish in
    the boat or a long day on the ocean drinking beer without interruption.
    (which is not always so bad)
    
     The doctah... 

    After reading pauls coments it seems we have had about the same
    type of experience. So much so that I have never took the effort
    to put them back on when I changed boats. 
    
    I do admitt if you use your imagination that you may pioneer
    a new approach at catching a particular spiecies.
    
    I also like the idea of using the chum bag. That has a lot
    of apeal.  It might be applicable in fishing for other spieces
    but remember that sometimes get in the way and the less cluttered
    a boat is the better.
    
    Now jeff, what did you have in mind.. I know that mind of yours.
    I don't think you were going after blue fish.
    
    bear

    Well paul brought up the subject so..... What about outriggers?
    Who has used them and with what results? I thinking about getting
    a set but are they worth it? Are they any better than "Chunking"
    and what type are best for the money? 
    
    I fish for anything that bites. Don't have downriggers but have
    rigged 16 oz sinkers with rubber bands to the fish line. You can
    lower the sinkers down, tie them off to a cleat or use a second
    rod for them, tie your working line to the sinker with a swivel
    and rubber band and when the fish grabs it( SNAP ! ) you don't have
    to fight the lead and you can recover it also.
    
    But what about outriggers?? I made some "BIRDS" last year and can't
    wait to try them.
    
                                            Walt
    

    re -.1
    
     When you ask "Are they any better than 'Chunking'" I assume you
    are referrring to school yellowfin tuna fishing. The answer to that
    question is relative to the time of the year. In early summer, when
    the tuna first begin to show up off the Rhode Island coast, they
    are extremely mobile and will move several miles a day. They are
    also difficult to pinpoint since on any given day the school can
    have moved 3-7 miles from their location the previous day. It is
    during this time that the outriggers are the most useful since most
    experienced tuna fishermen troll artificials at high speed so as
    to cover the most area during their excursion. This is the situation
    tuna fishermen will be facing in the next few weeks when the tuna
    first start to show up for the season.
    
     In another 6-8 weeks or so, the tuna will slow down a bit and hold
    to a particular area like the mud hole, the dump, or stellwagen bank.
    That is when the chunking method will become the most effective
    and likewise most popular method of trying to lure one of those
    marvelous pelagics onto the grill. 
    
     So, if you're planning on purchasing a pair of outriggers this
    year, do it soon! In the southern New England area, outriggers are
    mainly used for tuna and white marlin. I haven't heard of anyone
    using them for bluefish, but who knows? Be inventive. You just may
    find a new technique for haulin' em in. 
    
     I really don't know of any particular name brands aside from the
    ones that are advertised in the major saltwater fishing mag's, but
    I imagine they're probably more expensive anyhow. If you go to a
    reputable dealer and ask questions, you'll be able to get what you
    need. Good luck.
    
     The doctah-
    

    Re: .7
    
    In Cape Cod Bay, many of the larger boats do troll a hoochie bar
    off of the outriggers especially when going for blues or the elusive
    striper. For those who don't know, a hoochie bar is a piece of light
    weight metal about 12-18'' long from which multiple hoochie lures
    can be attached. The bar is then connected to the snap/swivel/line
    etc. and this whole thing is trolled. The bar is trolled horizontally
    through the water. Many people put the attached hoochies (or other
    lures) trailing at different lengths with different colored pork
    rinds, feathers, etc.
    
    The charter boats sometimes just put the outriggers out to keep
    the weekend warriors from getting too close. This is especially
    true when there are many boats working a small area. Frequently
    they do not have any lines in the snaps.
    
    Probably the best use of outrigers is to put many lines in the water
    without fear of tangles. I'd say if your boat is 26-28 feet or longer
    and you fish a lot, outriggers are a good investment. Besides, they
    make you look like you know what you're doing!
    
    

    I'm curious about the downriggers for tuna.  A good friend of mine
    from Maine came down this weekend to help me build my deck, so I
    bought him a Penn 620 as a "thankyou" present.  He fishes constantly,
    when ever the weather allows it.  I figured the down rigger would
    be good for presenting the bait to the fish we had marked with the
    fish finder. Im interested to hear of any techniques wifh might
    help in getting the big one.
    
    Jeff

    My first intro to downriggers was at the Jersey Shore fishing for
    blues and school tuna (albacore). We ahd 4 rigs on the boat (36')
    and they worked great. We had the Penn Fathomasters. Long arm units
    with swivel base.
    I now use them exclusivly on Ontario for Chinook and Coho Salmon.
    I dont have a problem with them getting in the way at all. Again
    I use Penn. Half the ease (or difficulty) is in what release you
    pick. I use "Black" releases at the  ball (slim profile fish weight)
    and Roamer stacker releases to run more rods off a single downrigger.
    
    Never did work with outriggers, we use side planner boards that
    get lines out 100' to either side, but thats fresh water fishing.
    I suppose they would work for blues---don't see why not.
    
    Don

    I'm looking at putting 2 downriggers on my freshwater boat. It is
    a small 14 1/2 foot alluminum fishing boat...
    
    I saw the Big Jon series at the Sportsman Show in Worcester last
    weekend and I like them better than a comparable model 
    (price/features wise) Cannon.
    
    Anyone have any experience with Bog Jon ?? Any particular place
    in Mass/NH/Maine that has good prices ??
    
    Jim
    

    
    
    
    
         Jim,
    
                  I have Big Jon mini riggers on my 12ft flatbottom
    and they work wonderfull as far as I am concerned Big Jon is probably
    one of the best riggers on the market although Cannons are good also,
      I know of a place out west that deals direct to customers and
    they get the riggers direct from B.J. so it may be a better price
    than you would get from around here. If I can remember I will try
    to find the number of the place for you.
    
    
    
                                                     Lee
    	

    Lee, did you find the number yet ?
    
    Jim
    

    
    
        Jim,
    
        I finally found the number for you,
    
             It is BNR SPORTS in michigan the number is 1-800-544-9343
     I believe the fellow you want to talk to is Randy. if you have
    anymore questions let em fly.
    
    
                                               Lee