Fisher_dude
Crew Member
I just found that pic on a website about down rigging from a sailboat. If I found a chunk of stainless round bar, I suppose I could tig a fin on it like that one. I'll see what I can find around the shop.
Downrigger bars?
- Thread starter rendraW
- Start date
spring time
Well-Known Member
I think you guys are going about it wrong I think they are suppose to be huge vertical not horizontal the ones with the fins on it are no different than a lead cannon ball they will torpedo right into the rock, where as the vertical ones will dingle and bounce over the rocks like river fishing with pencil lead and surgical tubing. and if you can't afford a 25.00 cannon ball then you really can't afford to fish
trophywife
Crew Member
yes old window sash weights work awesome for bottom bouncing... paint em up and drag em!!
searun
Well-Known Member
That begs for a photo if you have one?? I like the sound of recycled...CHEAP.
D
DHA
Guest
CHEAP - will depend on where you find them. 
Dogbreath
Well-Known Member
Be Careful they don't drip rust all over your boat-rust that can migrate into your gel coat.
D
DHA
Guest
trophywife
Crew Member
painted mine with rustoleum (bright toyota red) after a wire brushing and just touch up the paint when they get marked up..will try to remember a pic...
D
DHA
Guest
newfie boy
Active Member
Would window sash wieghts be heavey enough. I use 12 or 15 lb cannon balls How deep would they get you down without blowback.
newfie boy
Active Member
thanks lazoman i wonder if metal pipe filled with concrete would work or too much blowback due to surface area say two inch pipe.
tykkyt e blue
Well-Known Member
I did some experimenting with non - lead downrigger weights. NOTHING will work better than lead, especially as you go deeper. Blowback is proportional to surface area/hydro drag of a given object. Density of lead is .41 lbs per cubic inch, most steels are around .29lbs per cubic inch and concrete is way less.
And as far as shapes go, the most compact shape per given volume is a sphere, so no matter what material you use, a ball is the most efficient at depth.
And as far as shapes go, the most compact shape per given volume is a sphere, so no matter what material you use, a ball is the most efficient at depth.
mbowers
Well-Known Member
Tungsten is actually 70% more dense than lead so it should make a much better downrigger weight. It might be a little pricey for bottom bouncing though. Blowback angle increases with depth due to the drag on the line and not the drag on the weight which should remain the same. Thinner lines should help more at depth.
A sphere has the lowest total surface are for a given volume but it doesn't have the smallest frontal area nor the best drag coefficient which are what matter for determining drag. A sphere does have the advantage that it can't get messed it up and end up being towed sideways which could happen with any other shape.
The 5lb linkable deepdrop sinkers from these guys look pretty practical for pipe shaped lead.
http://www.gratefullead.com/
Lank Thompson
Member
I started using these last year because lead cannonballs were so expensive. They are scrap 1 3/4" hydraulic cylinder shafts. I just cut them into 8 and 12# lengths and welded on a ring. They are stainless steel, work great and are free. The shop had enormous amounts of shafts there. I grabbed several more for spares and was thinking of trying a bigger diameter but these stow so nicely in the rod holders. 
Lank Thompson
Member
I should add that I also like them due to the fact that if I lose one there isn't another 12# of lead polluting the water.
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