Downrigger Ball

There has to be a better design than this out there:



Does anyone know a more hydrodynamic design I could get ahold of? 

Does one exist?  What depth is 6lbs really effective to?  Seems at 150 ft, my line was at a 45 degree angle. 

Lee,
did a search for "fish shped downrigger weights."

got these hits;

http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/store/Shark_Cannonball_Downrigger_Weights.htm

http://www.cabelas.com/story-123/ross_downrigger_guide/20017/Downrigger+Buyer's+Guide.shtml [also has a good tutorial attached]

http://www.planer-board.com/torpedo.htm

generally they're claiming the fish shape is a better way to go. there's more out here but these were the most informative i found.

hope they help
[WR]

Those are good articles.  I came across the 'shark' weights yesterday.  Ha!  $75 is rediculous.  I think I'm going to go for a fish shaped weight soon.

hokey cripe batman!!!! sorry, i didnt see the price on that one.......

Like they say, salesman are very good at getting a man and his money soon parted. Although it seems counter intuitive DR weights, hydrodynamically, have about the same amount of blowback. I've used a few and still think the lead cannon ball from the weight section of your fav fishing shop, dipped in Plastic Dip, is the way to go. You can even add a fin if you like since cutting into lead is rather easy. And you can't beat the price!

Z

45 degree angle of downrigger line in power boat is reported to be the positive indicator of appropriate speed for salmon. Do not know if it is the same for trolling in the yak. holt

45 degree angle of downrigger line in power boat is reported to be the positive indicator of appropriate speed for salmon. Do not know if it is the same for trolling in the yak. holt

The angle on the rigger line is not a good indicator IMO, especially since downrigger balls can be anywhere from 4 to 20 pounds.  Line can be anywhere from thin spectra to thick wire.

I use my GPS for guidance but am always changing it up within a target range.  For trout, 1-1.2 mph.  For chinook, 1.5-2.0.  For silvers, as fast as I can comfortably sustain.  I'm not afraid to go outside these ranges.  The ranges change depending what lure I'm fishing and the lure selection changes depending on what range I'm targeting.  Take a look at the lure on the surface to determine what range it fishes best in.

-Allen

I'll take my GPS next time so I can be sure of my speed, but I'm pretty sure I was going around 1/2 to 1.  There was a lot of wind and surface chop to fight   

I'll take my GPS next time so I can be sure of my speed, but I'm pretty sure I was going around 1/2 to 1.  There was a lot of wind and surface chop to fight   

What were you using for a downrigger line?

I fish fresh water with a 4 pound ball and don't get anywhere near 45 degrees when trolling 1.2 mph.  I use 65# spectra for rigger line.  1.2 mph is very slow, I need to concentrate on slowing down to maintain it.

-Allen

50lb Spiderwire Stealth Braid. 

Yup.  So bring your GPS next time and calibrate your speed.  I still think you were going much faster than 1 mph.

-Allen

You experienced guys were right about the speed.  I tried a 4lb ball out at Mayfield Lake last Sunday.  I was conciously trying to go slow, and the GPS said I was doing 1.8 mph.  Keeping it at 1.0 was VERY difficult.  The slow action didn't make it any easier.  Fished all day and got 2 rainbow trout - 12" and 6-7".