Downrigger not laying cable on spool evenly?

[Clint r]

Here’s a new one for me. My cable (yes cable) started to pile up on my rigger unevenly. Looking at it side on its shaped like a mushroom. Lots of cable on the top half of the spool and about half as much on the bottom half. It gets to a point where the top just falls down into a bunch of loose coils. I had to let it all out and manually thumb the cable up and down to get it to lay evenly on the spool. What gives? Or is this how it always is and I just never noticed it before?

 

[Steplift]

Is the cable cutting into where the line stopper sensor is and not riding down?

 

[CBsqrd]

Check the fairlead. Sometimes they get knocked out of place.

 

[Clint r]

Is the cable cutting into where the line stopper sensor is and not riding down?

Good one. I Just ran out and had a look and it’s smooth as can be In there

 

[Clint r]

Check the fairlead. Sometimes they knocked out of place.

I’ll double check but think it’s still in the original position

 

[Clint r]

Check the fairlead. Sometimes they knocked out of place.

I think you’re onto something here. My fair lead is pushed up a bit. Enough that the cable has wore a groove in the insert.

 

[Aces]

Check the fairlead. Sometimes they knocked out of place.

Fair lead for sure

 

[Samnjoe]

Turn it downward slightly.
It will fix you right up.

 

[scott craven]

I think you’re onto something here. My fair lead is pushed up a bit. Enough that the cable has wore a groove in the insert.

You're a cable guy so it won't matter, but if you ever switch to braid make sure
you change the pulley or you'll lose your balls !

 

[Newf]

You're a cable guy so it won't matter, but if you ever switch to braid make sure
you change the fairlead or you'll lose your balls !

Please explain why Scott. I had cable for the first 5 years and now braid for the last 4. What should I be looking for? Thanks

 

[CIVANO]

Please explain why Scott. I had cable for the first 5 years and now braid for the last 4. What should I be looking for? Thanks

Enough that the cable has wore a groove in the insert.

 

[Newf]

Enough that the cable has wore a groove in the insert.

OK got it. Thanks

 

[scott craven]

Please explain why Scott. I had cable for the first 5 years and now braid for the last 4. What should I be looking for? Thanks

Cable can wear a rough groove in the pulley.
If you were to switch to braid that groove will cut it.
Took me about 4 cannon balls to figure out what was wrong.

 

[Newf]

Cable can wear a rough groove in the pulley.
If you were to switch to braid that groove will cut it.
Took me about 4 cannon balls to figure out what was wrong.

Thanks Scott, I will have a look at mine.