[Reel Draggin Tackle]

We use down riggers extensively offshore, specifically targeting deep bluefin. I have used, Z-Wings, Planners , 12 and 13# balls off down riggers. Each has its advantage. The wing tracks closest to true depth. Its not as close as noted above, but better than the others. We are usually going slow, 2 to 3 Kts when we put these to use against deep BFT. When ya get up to 6 kts and above ya better pay close attention to how you have your downriggers mounted. The stress is significant. If your downriggers are in rod holders place them straight out the back, you will save your rod holders. I have placed them at 90 deg, and snapped the t-Bar/Pin in three rod holders. Also, if you go 90 deg off the beam, use a short (24") boom. The 48" boom will increase the stress. I have to say, when it comes to deep BFT, we will be going back to using a heavy ball. Since our best success is at slow speed AND we can SEE where the ball is on the fish finder, we can position it right where we want it. When we pick start targeting Hoos, we'll be using either a wing or planer.

 

[Reel Draggin Tackle]

Casca; I usually loose soundings off the Z-Wing between 60 and 40 feet depending on sea conditions. When we upgrade to a Broadband Sonar this year we may see it deeper. The ball gives a nice echo right down to 100 feet. I find that at 2 to 3 the ball gets right down there and we have been very successful.

DC we are using Power Pro and I have 24 inches of 130# Momoi Blue Diamond between the ball and the Power Pro. I use a 19 wrap locking albright knot to connect the power pro to the Momoi and crimp a 240# SS Ball Bearing Snap Swivel to the Momoi for quick connections. I have not lost a ball or wing since switching from cable to braid. I do cut the Momoi off and re do it several times a year.

 

[Reel Draggin Tackle]

Casca; Thats a nice ducer. I was thinking about doing the same thing but I have been Leary of the signal loss due to shooting through. Recently AMIR has come out with a 1kw transom mount ducer with the same performance as the B260. Since I trailer my boat, I am leaning to the transom mount. The new AMIR does not require the hoist that it use to require.