Downrigger ball weights and terminal gear

I'm just finishing up my downrigger mount for the Revo13 and a Scotty DepthMaster.  Looked through the search results for "down rigger ball" and found folks using from 2-12# balls.   Zee's downrigging article cites 6#.  Of course I will replace the cable with 65# braid.

The performance of the "ball" depends on weight, style, and what terminal gear you are dragging.  A full 11" flasher will require a heavier ball than a 6" flasher.   Some balls are simply round, some have fins, and others are shaped like torpedoes. 

So for those who use a downrigger, what weight lead ball(s), what style lead, and what terminal gear are you using and in fresh or saltwater? 

6# in fresh water (ball with fin), and I'll be getting an 8# for salt this year.  I used to use the 6# in salt, but dropped the kayak once, upside down, and the DR doesn't run as smooth any more.      The 8# will be pancake with fin.

You can also drop down to 50# on the braid.  About 2, maybe 3 years ago, Bryce and I were talking about it, and really you could go with 25 or 30# braid, but I don't think I'll go less than 50.

Why an 11" flasher?  I would recommend a konezone and not a traditional flasher.  Much less drag, so less weight needed.

Why an 11" flasher?  I would recommend a konezone and not a traditional flasher.  Much less drag, so less weight needed.

Thanks. 

Mentioning the flashers was just an example of differing drag.

Chain of 4 oz. gillnet leads - 28" is about 5.25 pounds.  Works well and hurts a lot less when you drop it on your foot.  Dacron in place of the stainless wire lightens the rig up.

 Why 11" flashers ? Because they work 100% better than inline flashers in SALTWATER. More flash, and more noise draws salmon in from far greater distances. For rezzie coho 8" flashers & coho killer spoons work great. When the ocean run fish arrive its go big or go home. On my Hobie Pro Angler barge I use a Scotty DR with 80 lb braid. 6 lb ball when I'm fishing naked spoons or naked bait. 8 lb ball when its 11" flasher or large dodger with bait in a helmet, flash fly, or hoochie. 5" Tomic plugs work great bottom dragging for kings this time of year but you really have to pedal/paddle hard to go fast enough to make them work.

I'd be carefully using 80 pound braid. If you snag your ball that shit is really hard to break.

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Why 11" flashers ? Because they work 100% better than inline flashers in SALTWATER. More flash, and more noise draws salmon in from far greater distances. For rezzie coho 8" flashers & coho killer spoons work great. When the ocean run fish arrive its go big or go home. On my Hobie Pro Angler barge I use a Scotty DR with 80 lb braid. 6 lb ball when I'm fishing naked spoons or naked bait. 8 lb ball when its 11" flasher or large dodger with bait in a helmet, flash fly, or hoochie. 5" Tomic plugs work great bottom dragging for kings this time of year but you really have to pedal/paddle hard to go fast enough to make them work.

Wolverine--If you want to make the tomics work at a lower speed, try putting an elastic band over your plug and fishing line  and then move it back  down the body of the plug before wrapping it, pulling the line back along the top of the plug. This gives the plug that effective erratic action at a lower speed. Play around with it beside your yak until you find where the band should go on the plug to give you the best  action.I use this trick on my pb when I want to fish both plugs and other gear that works at a slower speed. Us old guys have to use our brains as our brawn has left us!
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