How to Rig a Fishing Downrigger

A downrigger is a device used to get your baits deeper on a boat. Instead of running a heavy weight on your line or a planer you put your line in a release clip that releases when pressure is applied to your line. This gets your line deep without having to use heavier tackle and fight the fish and a weight.

A downrigger is spooled with heavy mono, braid, or cable. A heavy weight is then attached to that line (typically around 8lb to 12lb). A clip is also attached to that line so your fishing line can be attached to it.

Downriggers are a great tool for slow trolling live bait or trolling at speeds around 7 or 8 mph. They are limited in how fast they can be used at and as you go faster the downrigger won't go down as deep. That's why we use inline trolling weights when we are high speed trolling for Wahoo.

Here are some links to videos where we use downriggers to catch fish:
Redfish: youtube.com/watch?v=3QeIS8XnCXI&t=120s
King Mackerel: youtube.com/watch?v=kabKbZF8NJA&t=176s

Here are links to downrigger gear you'll need if you want to set one up.
Seahorse (similar to Penn) Downrigger: amzn.to/2mZGtF7
Seahorse Downrigger Rod Holder Mount: amzn.to/2luBMmi
Release clip: amzn.to/2luzunc
12lb Downrigger Ball: amzn.to/2nFQlo1
10lb Downrigger Ball: amzn.to/2n5yA0M
8lb Downrigger Ball: amzn.to/2lvCVdt

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