Lets talk Downrigger Braid

[Charlie415]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Her...3.0&pvid=4fbc3d1d-1220-4411-99e9-816754319152

Anybody tried this? For the price it might be worth sacrificing a downrigger ball to see.

 

[advTHXance]

Heres a quick picture walkthru on how I rig my DRs. Apologies for the filthy cooler lid. I used my manual rigger for the demo and a small hali weifght in place of the cannonball but you should get the idea.

Supplies needed (also lighter + scissors to trim+burn tag ends)


Heres how to tie the overhand knot with a loop



And the 2nd loop


Now you take the braid and make a loop, and feed it through the loop of the paracord like so


Then loosely tie an overhand knot in the looped braid


Then feed the big loop at the bottom end of the paracord through the loop you made previously in the braid



Start snugging up the overhand knot

 

[advTHXance]

Then pull the tag end until the knot is tight


Now feed the larger loop through the eye of the cannonball


Wrap the loop around the ball like so



Snug it up


Trim up the tag ends, and youre done!

 

[fish brain]

Then pull the tag end until the knot is tight
View attachment 43024

Now feed the larger loop through the eye of the cannonball
View attachment 43025

Wrap the loop around the ball like so
View attachment 43026
View attachment 43027

Snug it up
View attachment 43028

Trim up the tag ends, and youre done!

This is basically how I do mine, except I use the biggest swivel I can find between the braid and the paracord. The swivel acts as the stop
I also set the tension on my downrigger so that when I stand at the side of the boat with a 15 lb ball on the line, the brake slips with about 50 lbs of extra pulling pressure.
I have saved more than a few balls snagged on the bottom by doing this.

 

[scott craven]

This is basically how I do mine, except I use the biggest swivel I can find between the braid and the paracord

There is no need for the swivel as the knot acts as the stopper.
the swivel just becomes another possible failure point.

 

[walleyes]

I like the paracord method only thing different I will add is a large snap at the end instead of going straight to the cannon ball. I like to take off my weights and put everything away in it's spot when done fishing. I can see that paracord getting pretty tight on the cannon ball hook and being a bit of a pain to lossen all the time.

 

[fish brain]

There is no need for the swivel as the knot acts as the stopper.
the swivel just becomes another possible failure point.

I must have to tie a bigger knot, because mine will come all the way into the spool.
With regard to the swivel. I have not had one fail yet.

 

[scott craven]

Overhand loop knot on the cord joined with a palomar knot to the braid will do it.

 

[Rain City]

The paracord I bought was 250lb (2.25mm?). The overhand looked too big so I went with the Albright. Much cleaner and works as a stop no problem. I still tied the snubber on (figure 8) for security, ease of ball removal, and the swivel because I use round balls (no fin).

 

[Stizzla]

The paracord I bought was 250lb (2.25mm?). The overhand looked too big so I went with the Albright. Much cleaner and works as a stop no problem. I still tied the snubber on (figure 8) for security, ease of ball removal, and the swivel because I use round balls (no fin).

That’s why you’re in a slump. Get some fins on those balls then dip them in glow!

 

[Rain City]

That’s why you’re in a slump. Get some fins on those balls then dip them in glow!

Haha doubt that.

 

[noluck]

I like the paracord method only thing different I will add is a large snap at the end instead of going straight to the cannon ball. I like to take off my weights and put everything away in it's spot when done fishing. I can see that paracord getting pretty tight on the cannon ball hook and being a bit of a pain to lossen all the time.

no snap needed just pass the loop through the eye of the cannon ball and over the ball and you are done, it never cinches on, been doing like this for a few years now, and i take the balls off every trip out

 

[Almar22]

That is a good idea with big loop rather than a snap to attach the ball. My aging fingers are having a harder and harder time opening and closing those big snaps - especially on these colder days. Now to retie my rigs!

 

[Rain City]

That is a good idea with big loop rather than a snap to attach the ball. My aging fingers are having a harder and harder time opening and closing those big snaps - especially on these colder days. Now to retie my rigs!

If you have trouble with a snap I really don't recommend the loop. I wouldn't say it was impossibly hard but definitely not easy to get it undone I found. Sort of a two handed flip and twist while balancing the ball, could have just been me. I find the snap on the snubber to much more of a natural movement.

 

[Fisherman Rob]

Great info in this thread. I just took my downriggers into Scotty's for servicing. In addition to servicing, I've asked them to swap the stainless cable for braid on both as I am tired of the cable constantly getting kinked, fraying, and rusting. Seems to be an endless problem, and my wife is tired of me loosing cannon balls. At $45 for a 12lb, plus snubber, clips etc, I could have bought a lot of fresh salmon by now! I like the simplified rigging suggestions here with the paracord, might have to give that a try.

 

[scott craven]

You gotta find someone who makes cannon balls !

 

[Fishallspec]

Anybody know where to get the clear line for the Scotty releases? We have a bunch that need to longer.

Thx

 

[RiverBoy]

Anybody know where to get the clear line for the Scotty releases? We have a bunch that need to longer.

Thx

it’s just fishing line. i use 150 lb test berkeley and i make my own. get crimps and crimping pliers and go to town.

 

[advTHXance]

Dont even bother with crimps, just tie a knot

 

[scott craven]

Loop knot in a 5' piece of Gangion with a Palomar knot to the braid.
Done!