Tuna Downrigger Tactics

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 01-26-2008, 09:16 PM

There are a few offshore setups that just have to go out every trip. They don't always produce but they have saved many slow days. Often they are the only lines hit. What are they? The deep line and the WAY WAY Back lines. This thread is dedicated to the deep lines. There are lots of ways to get your lines deep, and here is the place to post them. We'll post our go-to deep rig, but its by no means the only way to get a line deep.
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We use a set of Penn downriggers with the 48 inch boom. They sit in the aft rod holders on a 360 degree swivel base. They can be easily reeled up, pulled and moved forward when we need to clear the gunnel's.
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The reason we use the downrigger, is depth control. When on the hunt, trolling at 5 to 7 kts, we have about 25 feet out, keeping our lures down around 8 feet. While this works just fine and had often produced Tuna & Mahi along with teasing in a white here an there, its not where the downrigger shines.
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The downrigger earns its money when you mark those stubborn tuna down deep and just cannot get them to come up! How many times have you been there! If you can't get them to come to you then you have to go to them. My team has produced a hooked Sport Dredge (Six arm 12" diameter). The small diameter produces, less drag as compared to the big 36" dredges. We also have no trouble adding a stinger to it. We get it deep by using a 13# Ball and replacing the downrigger cable with 250# Power Pro Spectra.
When we mark those stubborn tuna down in the deep we don't endlessly troll over the marks hoping to bring them up, we spring to action:
> mark the plotter
> come around to hit the marks on the same course
> as we approach we slow the boat and lower the dredge on the downrigger
Using the fish finder in split screen with 200/50 kHz we are able to watch the downrigger descend, sometimes we can see it past 100 feet. The target is to get the dredge about 5 feet above the marks, before you get the boat back on top. If your timing is right, you drag the dredge right over them and draw a bite. This tactic has been so consistent, on our boat the downrigger is send deep on the second pass every time.
-
Often we slow the boat to less than 3 KTS, the trick is to get the dredge to the fish. If we pass over without a hit, we pull back to all stop for about 5 seconds and then kick it up to 3, then 4 then 5 kts. That sends the dredge even deeper, then when ya kick it up the dredge comes racing for the surface, action no tuna can ignore!
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I am sure I left out a few things, but its a start. Here are a few shots from last year:

AlloyToy · 01-26-2008, 10:11 PM

Ken,

Great post!!! Are you using mono on the downriggers? What are you using for a release? How many pound ball?

I bought a couple of your dredges last year and want to try them this coming season.

Have you ever run a cedar plug off a dredge as a stinger?

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 01-26-2008, 10:59 PM

The cable was replaced with 250# Power Pro. For release we use a long line release clip and a rubber band. Simple, effective and very few false releases. The ball is 13#.
We have never pulled a cedar plug off them, however we have pulled all kinds of other lures with some success. Here is our latest dredge:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & PICTURES
They are way cool!

Bryan A. · 01-27-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

The cable was replaced with 250# Power Pro. For release we use a long line release clip and a rubber band. Simple, effective and very few false releases.

Another good topic!!!

Got any pictures of how you rig the band and clip?? Is it just the standard wrap around the line then back through?

Nice dredge!!

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 01-27-2008, 07:51 PM

Bryan; I got a picture some place. I'll see if I can did it up and post it.

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 01-27-2008, 08:00 PM

Here are the long line release clips we use. We place one just above the ball and use a rubber band, looped through the main line and pulled tight, than drop it in the snap. Its important that you pull it tight. When you are trolling at 6 kts and above, you may need a double knot. Don't be afraid to use a big rubber band, or several small ones, they WILL break.

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 01-27-2008, 08:04 PM

Here is a better picture. However, it does not show the rubber band attached to the main line.

Bite Radius · 01-30-2008, 09:16 AM

good topic. Do you have a post on way, way, way back trolling?

01-26-2008, 09:16 PM	#1
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	Tuna Downrigger Tactics There are a few offshore setups that just have to go out every trip. They don't always produce but they have saved many slow days. Often they are the only lines hit. What are they? The deep line and the WAY WAY Back lines. This thread is dedicated to the deep lines. There are lots of ways to get your lines deep, and here is the place to post them. We'll post our go-to deep rig, but its by no means the only way to get a line deep. - We use a set of Penn downriggers with the 48 inch boom. They sit in the aft rod holders on a 360 degree swivel base. They can be easily reeled up, pulled and moved forward when we need to clear the gunnel's. - The reason we use the downrigger, is depth control. When on the hunt, trolling at 5 to 7 kts, we have about 25 feet out, keeping our lures down around 8 feet. While this works just fine and had often produced Tuna & Mahi along with teasing in a white here an there, its not where the downrigger shines. - The downrigger earns its money when you mark those stubborn tuna down deep and just cannot get them to come up! How many times have you been there! If you can't get them to come to you then you have to go to them. My team has produced a hooked Sport Dredge (Six arm 12" diameter). The small diameter produces, less drag as compared to the big 36" dredges. We also have no trouble adding a stinger to it. We get it deep by using a 13# Ball and replacing the downrigger cable with 250# Power Pro Spectra. When we mark those stubborn tuna down in the deep we don't endlessly troll over the marks hoping to bring them up, we spring to action: > mark the plotter > come around to hit the marks on the same course > as we approach we slow the boat and lower the dredge on the downrigger Using the fish finder in split screen with 200/50 kHz we are able to watch the downrigger descend, sometimes we can see it past 100 feet. The target is to get the dredge about 5 feet above the marks, before you get the boat back on top. If your timing is right, you drag the dredge right over them and draw a bite. This tactic has been so consistent, on our boat the downrigger is send deep on the second pass every time. - Often we slow the boat to less than 3 KTS, the trick is to get the dredge to the fish. If we pass over without a hit, we pull back to all stop for about 5 seconds and then kick it up to 3, then 4 then 5 kts. That sends the dredge even deeper, then when ya kick it up the dredge comes racing for the surface, action no tuna can ignore! - I am sure I left out a few things, but its a start. Here are a few shots from last year: __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

01-26-2008, 10:11 PM	#2
AlloyToy NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pt. Judith/Green Harbor/W.Mass Posts: 680	Ken, Great post!!! Are you using mono on the downriggers? What are you using for a release? How many pound ball? I bought a couple of your dredges last year and want to try them this coming season. Have you ever run a cedar plug off a dredge as a stinger? __________________ "First The Bite Then The Fight"

01-26-2008, 10:59 PM	#3
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	The cable was replaced with 250# Power Pro. For release we use a long line release clip and a rubber band. Simple, effective and very few false releases. The ball is 13#. We have never pulled a cedar plug off them, however we have pulled all kinds of other lures with some success. Here is our latest dredge: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & PICTURES They are way cool! __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

01-27-2008, 07:51 PM	#5
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	Downrigger Release Bryan; I got a picture some place. I'll see if I can did it up and post it. __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

01-27-2008, 08:00 PM	#6
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	Downrigger Release Clips Here are the long line release clips we use. We place one just above the ball and use a rubber band, looped through the main line and pulled tight, than drop it in the snap. Its important that you pull it tight. When you are trolling at 6 kts and above, you may need a double knot. Don't be afraid to use a big rubber band, or several small ones, they WILL break. __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

01-27-2008, 08:04 PM	#7
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 423	Better Picture Here is a better picture. However, it does not show the rubber band attached to the main line. __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

01-30-2008, 09:16 AM	#8
Bite Radius NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 11	good topic. Do you have a post on way, way, way back trolling?

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