Is there a wrong way to spool new cable onto a downrigger ?
The reason I ask is that I had a breakoff last weekend, so bought a spool of 180 lb x 400 ft. I spooled it onto the downrigger under moderate tension, and had no problems. As soon as I was fishing, when I got to a spot that was about 380 feet, I let all the cable out with only an 18 lb ball attached, let it sit for a few minutes with the boat in neutral to get out any twist that may have developed. I then brought it in under the tension of the 18 lb ball.
I fished with it that night, then the next, and no matter what I do, it will not spool properly. I get big loose wraps seemingly at random, and it sounds like the DR is jumping. It's hard to believe I end up with loose wraps with 18 lb balls, but it's a borderline rat's nest. I'm wondering if maybe I spooled it backwards and that if I turned the cable end for end it might help.
This is the Scotty 180 lb stainless cable. I would have bought the 150 lb, but they didn't have a 400 ft spool. Did I just get bad cable ?
RCA
The reason I ask is that I had a breakoff last weekend, so bought a spool of 180 lb x 400 ft. I spooled it onto the downrigger under moderate tension, and had no problems. As soon as I was fishing, when I got to a spot that was about 380 feet, I let all the cable out with only an 18 lb ball attached, let it sit for a few minutes with the boat in neutral to get out any twist that may have developed. I then brought it in under the tension of the 18 lb ball.
I fished with it that night, then the next, and no matter what I do, it will not spool properly. I get big loose wraps seemingly at random, and it sounds like the DR is jumping. It's hard to believe I end up with loose wraps with 18 lb balls, but it's a borderline rat's nest. I'm wondering if maybe I spooled it backwards and that if I turned the cable end for end it might help.
This is the Scotty 180 lb stainless cable. I would have bought the 150 lb, but they didn't have a 400 ft spool. Did I just get bad cable ?
RCA