Q: Fish on! Now what should I do with the downrigger?

A question for the experienced downrigger-equipped yakers...

I'm planning to put my first downrigger to use in the next few weeks chasing Blackmouth in the Sound.  I could use some sage advice on how to handle the equipment, dangling ~100' below / 10-20
 above bottom, after a hookup.

My initial thoughts (critiques on all of it welcomed) are to 1) put initial focus on keeping my mainline tight, then 2) quickly haul up just enough downrigger line to build in a safety pad above the bottom so I don't snag as I drift during the rest of the fight, but then 3) WHAT?  Do you / should I strive to haul the weight to the surface or is it not worth the risk of dividing my focus and slacking the line?  I think I'd only want to try retrieving more downrigger line if/when the fish is running out, but not sure it's smart.  Any horror stories of downrigger / mainline tangles?  Do Hobie/Mirage-Drive yakers keep their boats moving for any reason?

Thanks in advance for any nuggets...
Slime

I just fight the fish. I did lose a fish plus DR ball when a king wrapped me around the line, but it hasn't been an issue outside of that one instance.

It depends on the depth-if it's summertime and I'm only down 40-50 ft then I take turns reeling the fish in  and reeling the downrigger  up but I keep the rod in one hand while I do it. I usually end up with the ball out of the water by the time the fish is near the boat. If it's deeper than that (wintertime) I clear the bottom and just leave it down, taking my chances on a tangle.
T2

I try to get the ball up but I'd say 75% of the time I'm too busy fighting the fish. I've broken off on the rudder and mirage drive but haven't broken off on the downrigger line...yet. It's bound to happen. I think I have caught maybe two dozen cohos and king mix on the downrigger so far.

I do keep the kayak moving sometimes as I like to lead the fish into the net. So if the fish is behind or under me, I pedal away from the fish. But most time the fish is towing the kayak so it's in front.

Great question. I am thinking of putting on a downrigger, and I wondered the same thing. My big boat experience the past few years has been too soft: we have electric DRs. So now you got me thinking about the tough life...back to cranking that ball back up.

What downrigger are you adding? Or what do people have? I've seen them for kayaks specifically, and also seen people using "regular" boat DRs.

I use an old scotty "Saltaire" from the '70's that I inherited from my father. Works well for me and makes me feel like my dad is still with me.
T2

I just fight the fish...the downrigger is usually the least of my concerns. I also keep slowly pedaling forward and play the fish well maintaining a slow and steady retrieve. That way much of the fight is out of the fish when it comes to the side of the boat. I've never had a fish wrap the downrigger line...yet.

Fight the fish. Ignore the DR. If you are concerned head for deeper water.

All: thanks for the insights.  More input from others would be appreciated too as I think this through before I get my first DR hookup.

michilutiiq: I found lots of good info on this forum as I setup my first DR.  A good first stop was the "Kayak Downrigger Fishing 101" posting.  Thereafter, you'll find a lot of installation options in the Cutting-n-Drilling forum.  I think the two most popular choices are the cupholder-mounted installations and then the rear deck / milkcrate mounted installations.  For the first, search for the popular PMMPete's design, as well as Nangusdog's variation of it.  I think there are examples of the later on this forum too, but I can't recall them now.  Like everything else, someone has even tried an electric model. I saw one on YouTube that even had a remote control.   Good luck.

I have had a big lake trout wrap my fishing line around my downrigger cable.  It was a memorable experience, but not a fun experience.  If you ever have it happen to you, you won't want to repeat the experience.  So once I get the hook set on a fish, I try to keep tension on the fishing line with one hand while cranking up the downrigger ball with the other hand.  I usually have to stop cranking the downrigger a couple of times in order to reel in some fishing line, to keep tension on the fish.  I try to get my ball all the way up to my kayak before bringing in the fish.

I will admit that sometimes I reel in a fish without pulling up my downrigger ball.  But if I get the fish netted without getting my fishing line and my downrigger cable tangled, I usually think "Whew, I dodged the bullet that time." 

Here's a video of the best example I have.  If you look at my youtube page for the feeder kings (typically Sept) there are a few more examples.  I do agree with PmPete...I am constantly amazed it doesn't get tangled more often but so far so good.  But it;s bound to happen!

I think most show strike to landing. all using down riggers for cohos.

Here's a video of the best example I have. 

Bloody Awesome! Now I know how many Coho will fit in my Outback's tankwell.

If my ball was fairly shallow, I'd probably *consider* getting it up but my primary concern would still be to keep pressure on the fish

Thanks slime! We're getting a couple for the upcoming Homer Winter King Derby. Gotta get down deep! Great references. I tend to be too myopic on here and read only the AK forum too often!

Thanks again for the good advice from all....BUT I just relearned that you can't anticipate every possibility....case in point:

Gave my DR its first honest use, three days of Blackmouth chasing in N. Sound this week.  It was nothing but hours of zilch with one exception.  Out of corner of my eye, I caught the rod tip make a single dip and then back to normal.  I figured I had touched bottom again.  But it did seem to take more rudder to hold course after this happened.  After about 10 minutes I put 2 and 2 together and figured I ought to uphaul the DR and have a look.  Yep, my silver horde spoon had attracted a nice, but nearly drowned, rock sole, big enough to yaw my boat, too small to pop the clip.  Oh well, an unintentional catch is better than none...barely...and now I know to release to little guys before I drown them next time.