Downriggers are a crucial tool for catching salmon when trolling They allow you to precisely control the depth your bait or lure runs at. This enables targeting salmon suspending at specific depths where they are actively feeding
In this complete guide I’ll explain exactly how downriggers work and provide step-by-step instructions on how to rig and use them for salmon fishing.
What is a Downrigger?
A downrigger consists of:
- A horizontal boom extending from the boat
- A weight or cannonball sliding up and down the boom
- A line release clip holding your fishing line to the downrigger cable
By changing where the fishing line attaches on the cable, you control the lure depth. The cannonball provides the weight to pull the line down. When a fish strikes, the line pops free of the release so you can reel it in without dragging the downrigger weight.
Downriggers enable unmatched depth control compared to lead core line or planer boards They are a must-have tool for serious salmon anglers
Downrigger Setup
Proper setup is crucial for downriggers to work effectively. Follow these steps:
- Mount the downrigger securely to the boat’s gunwales, transom, or T-top using appropriately sized bolts.
- Attach the cannonball to the downrigger cable and secure with the quick release clip. Standard weights are 8-15 lbs, with heavier needed for deeper water.
- Clip the line release to the cable above the cannonball. Adjust the tension knob so it grips the fishing line firmly.
- Position a rod in a holder near the downrigger and clip the line into the release. Let out enough line so there is no slack between the rod tip and release.
How to Use a Downrigger
Once set up, using a downrigger to troll for salmon simply involves:
- Lowering the cannonball to the desired depth
- Letting line peel off the reel as the weight descends
- Adjusting the release clip position to change depth
- Allowing the line to pull free when a fish strikes
- Reeling in the hooked fish
Start at depths where you spot baitfish or salmon on your fish finder. Adjust the downrigger depth in 10-20 foot increments until salmon start biting.
Downrigger Fishing Tips
- Use heavier cannonball weights in current or when fishing deep
- Watch line tension and angle closely
- Frequently check release clips for wear
- Run a planer board on the opposite side to cover multiple depths
- Carefully detect subtle bites when the flasher or weight is inline
- Consider a dummy flasher for easier bite detection
With practice, downriggers provide unmatched control over lure depth. They are an invaluable asset when trolling for salmon in both shallow and deep water.
Downrigger Setup Diagrams
Here are two common downrigger arrangements:
Inline Flasher Setup
[Diagram]
The flasher attaches directly to the main fishing line with a leader to the lure. This imparts action from the flasher onto the lure. Detecting bites is tricky with the flasher inline.
Dummy Flasher Setup
[Diagram]
The flasher clips onto a separate line attached below the fishing line to the downrigger cable. This allows the flasher to work its attracting magic without impacting bite detection.
Downrigger Gear Recommendations
Having quality gear dialed in is key for effective downrigger fishing. Here are some top picks:
- Downrigger: Scotty Depthpower Electric Downrigger – precise depth control
- Cannonballs: Scotty Deep Water Release – 15 lb weights work well for most situations
- Line Releases: Scotty Power Grip Plus – reliable release with easy tension adjustment
- Flashers: Gibbs Delta Highliner Flasher – proven salmon catcher in UV and glow colors
- Rods: Okuma SST Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rod – affordable 10’6″ rod with backbone
Investing in solid gear pays dividends when downrigger trolling. Take the time to rig properly and you’ll be hooking trophy salmon in no time!
Locating Salmon Using Your Downrigger
Here’s an effective process for dialing in productive depths with your downrigger:
- Identify areas holding baitfish and salmon on your fish finder
- Lower the downrigger to just above the schools and troll over them
- Incrementally adjust the downrigger depth 10-20 feet at a time until getting bites
- Note the depth when you hook up and set the downriggers to match
- Continue trolling over the zone
- Periodically change depths to see if fish have moved
Using this technique, you’ll quickly zero in on the exact strike zone daily.
Main Benefits of Downrigger Fishing
Downriggers have major advantages over other trolling methods:
- Extremely precise depth control
- Allow using heavy weights and diving lures
- Help detect light biting fish
- Cover the water column quickly
- Enable fishing multiple depths at once
- Allow trolling over shallow structure
- Easy for novice anglers to master
Whether new to trolling or seasoned, downriggers dramatically improve targeting fish at all depths. Their unmatched vertical control is invaluable for pinpointing biting zones.
Potential Downrigger Issues
When used properly, downriggers are very reliable. However, watch for:
- Line tangling with dummy flashers
- Frequent break-offs from worn release clips
- Inaccurate depth in heavy current
- Cannonballs bouncing on retrieval
- Boat drifting while gear is deployed
- Clutch failure on electric downriggers
Most issues can be prevented with careful setup, equipment checks, and experience in different conditions.
Why Downriggers Excel for Salmon
Downriggers are so effective on salmon because:
- Salmon hold at specific depths relating to baitfish and temperatures. Downriggers enable pinpoint targeting of these zones as they change daily.
- Salmon often suspend high up or hug the bottom. Downriggers provide the force needed to keep lures in those extreme strike zones.
- Precise depth control positions lures right in front of salmon, triggering reflex strikes.
- Thick downrigger cables minimize resistance compared to stretched out fishing line, enabling more solid hooksets.
The sensitivity, precision, and range downriggers provide give salmon anglers a deadly vertical presentation that produces bites when other methods struggle.
Alternatives to Downriggers
While downriggers excel for targeting salmon, alternatives include:
- Lead core line – Allows lures to dive 30+ feet. More work finding where fish are holding.
- Planer boards – Spread baits/lures way out to the sides, covering more horizontal range.
- Dipsy divers – Get lures down 20-40 feet without downriggers. Require precise tuning.
- Side planers – Pull baits and lures from the boat with releases.
- Diving plugs – Lures like Magnum Wiggle Warts dive 15-25 feet. Decent for shallower water.
Mixing methods can help pinpoint fish location and trigger more strikes.
Downriggers provide a major edge when trolling for salmon. Their unparalleled vertical precision and control opens up depths that no other technique can reach. Follow this downrigger guide and you’ll gain the knowledge to put yourself in the strike zone consistently. Now get out on the water and fill your cooler with delicious salmon!
Inline Flasher vs. Dummy Flasher for downrigger trolling
Additionally, in this article I’ll outline the PROS and CONS of the inline flasher and dummy flasher setups. Under each diagram I’ll outline the detailed specifications of each of these components, leader length, line weight, distance between clips, etc. There are some variances on these two options but these are the most common flasher setups.
Setup #1 – Inline Flasher
An inline flasher setup is where the flasher is attached to your mainline. The mainline attaches to the flasher followed by a leader line to your lure/bait. When you’re fighting the fish, you’ll also be fighting the flasher as well. Below the diagram I’ll outline all the different components.
There are a lot of rods you can use while trolling. Typically, I’m looking for a 10’6 Medium to Medium-Heavy mooching rod. Some guys like to use 10’6 casting rods with their baitcaster reels. It’s all a preference thing. I think the more important part is length and strength, so ensure it’s between 10′-12′ and has some backbone to handle larger setups.
I like using 30# Monofilament. You can also use Braided line in 50#-65#. If you use braid, you’ll need to have a mono or fluorocarbon shock leader at the end (not getting into that in this article).
The diagram doesn’t outline every component so I’ve taken a quick photo (below) of my setup at home. This is the end of my mainline that has a bead, plastic bumper (same ones included with buzz bomb lures) and finally the 6 bead chain that connects to my flasher.
You don’t need all 3 of these components, the green bead protects the rod tip eye so you have a visual of how far to reel up, the rubber piece is simply there to protect the mainline knot from wear and tear. The most important piece is the 6 bead chain which is the primary connection piece between your mainline and flasher (or straight to leader line).
Flashers do two main things, firstly they act an attractant that mimic bait fish or feeding salmon/fish and secondly they spin to create action for the lure. The spinning and erratic action of the flasher is very important for using lures like Hoochies or krippled baits that don’t create action on their own (more on that later).
Sizes and colors vary for flashers, a general rule of thumb is align flasher with lighting and depth. For example, in shallower depths (anything below 120 feet) use more flash as there is more sunlight, in deeper water (greater than 120 feet) try to include more glow on the flasher (less to no sunlight). You can add UV flasher or silver tape on the back of your flashers if it doesn’t already have it. Also can use UV flash lights (or even direct sunlight) to “charge up” your flashers and lures to rejuvenate their glow.
Colors you’ll have to experiment with and find out what works for you in your area. I like to use chartreuse in higher level light and green and purple in low level light areas. Again, not exclusive here but don’t forget the flash and glow components.
Flashers ends are usually not the same, there is usually a wider end on one side. The wider should connect to your leader line, the smaller end should be connected to your mainline.
For leader line I like to use monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on the lure I’m using, I’ll use different lengths and weights of line. Here are my general rules of thumb for leader setups specific to lures.
Leader length is shorter like 28″ to 32″. Line should be heavier (40# to 50# mono or fluoro). The shorter and heavier line provides more rigidness so it acts as whip in the water and creates action on the hoochie. The shorter the leader line (the closer the lure is to the flasher) the more action will be provided to the lure. See hoochie setup tip for more info on this.
Leader length are longer for spoons, usually 5′ to 6′ (so call it 66″). The line doesn’t need to be as heavy and most common is 30# mono or fluoro. The reason for longer and lighter line is the spoon creates most of it’s own action and doesn’t need to be as close to the flasher for that additional whipping motion.
Similar to the spoon use a longer leader (5′ slightly less than spoon as it doesn’t create its own action) and line weight of 30#. I’ve noticed with krippled baits anglers have varying lengths when using an inline flasher, that to say it seems to be a little more subjective.
- Flasher creates whipping action on lure/bait
- Flasher is closer to your lure, so attracts fish closer to your hooks
- Your mainline is less likely to tangle with extra lines holding dummy flashers
- Fighting a fish with the flasher creates drag on your line and erratic pulls on the fish so it can pull the hook. This is especially true when the fish is on top of the water and the flasher is bouncing around on the surface.
- Detecting a bite can be harder to see as the flasher can disguise those very small bites
- Lower landing fish ratio than compared to no inline flasher
- Flashers are additional gear on your setup, so you’ll collect more seaweed
- Rolling flasher creates more impact on release clip and can deteriorate your mainline (so that it may create weak points and snap)
How to use Downriggers (Salmon Edition)
FAQ
FAQ
What is the 100 foot rule for downriggers?
Here’s an easy proven formula that tends to work almost every time in freshwater fishing applications. It is called the “100 Foot Rule”. Say the starting point is flat lining at 100 feet behind the boat. Once you clip your line into the downrigger release clip, adjust the setback to always add up to 100 feet.
How do downriggers work for beginners?
Basic Downrigger Setup A downrigger uses a separate wire cable and heavy weight to take your lure down to the fish. Once a fish has pulled the rod line free of the release clip it can fight freely with no additional weight on the line.
What is the best trolling speed for salmon?
How do you use a downrigger to catch more salmon?
The heavier the lead ball you use, the deeper in the water column you can troll. The smaller the diameter downrigger line you use, the less blowback or C shape your downrigger line will have as you fish deeper and troll faster for salmon. So how do you use a downrigger to help you catch more salmon while trolling?
How do you fish with a downrigger?
Start at depths where you observe baitfish or salmon on your fish finder. Adjust depths every 10-20 minutes until you find where salmon are biting. With practice, downriggers allow unparalleled vertical fishing control. They are a major asset when trolling for salmon in both shallow and deep water.
Why do downriggers excel at salmon fishing?
Downriggers excel at salmon fishing for several key reasons: Salmon often hold in specific depth zones relating to baitfish density and water temperatures. Downriggers enable pinpoint targeting of these productive depths as they change daily. Salmon frequently suspend high up or hug the bottom.
What is a salmon downrigger rig?
A salmon downrigger rig is usually made up of 3 different pieces: a flasher, leader, and a lure. Another common setup is the meat rig – check out our how to fish a meat rig for more info on that type of salmon rig. Flasher: A flasher is a big metal plate that’s used to attract salmon that might be too far away to see your lure.
Do You need A downrigger to fight a king salmon?
When you get the point where the salmon is firmly hooked, you want to reach over and set your downrigger gear to auto-up. You may even want your partner to get your downrigger out of the water and for fighting a big king salmon, you may want all all rods and downrigger balls up.
What is a downrigger in fishing?
So grab your fishing gear, and let’s dive in! A downrigger is a device used in fishing that enables an angler to accurately control the depth at which their lure is being presented in the water column. The downrigger consists of a cable or wireline which is spooled onto a reel and attached to a weight, known as a cannonball.