How to Use a Downrigger Setup

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Reviewed by Anthony Porter

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

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For hand-powered setups

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For motorized setups

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Down-rigging is a method of trolling that uses a cannonball attached to an electric or hand-powered winch to carry your fishing line. It also lures down to a specific depth that could not be reached normally. Using down-riggers will allow you to place your lures anywhere from five feet below the surface down to 250 feet (76.2 m), and keep them there consistently. Before you start, your cannonball should be hanging over the edge of the boat near the surface of the water.

Steps

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Around 80 feet (24.4 m) deep is a good place to start. It is a smart idea to fish an area with a fairly flat bottom with no obstructions (such as trees, rocks).^{[1]
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Switch your reel to “free-spin” (allows to reel to spin freely, releasing line) by releasing the drag clicker. Put your lure into the water and allow it to feed out about twenty feet. Lock the drag clicker to stop your line and put your rod in the holder.^{[2]
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Clip the line release clip onto the line (there should be a mark on the clip to show where to clip it on) then lower the cannonball into the water.^{[3]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

For hand-powered setups

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Do the following:^{[4]
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- Release the brake while firmly gripping the handle on the reel.
- Lower the cannonball to the desired depth by using the depth counter attached to the spool.
- Lock the brake on the spool to keep the cannonball at that depth.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

For motorized setups

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Do the following:^{[5]
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- Flip the switch that lowers the cannonball
- Watch the counter, and stop the cannonball at the desired depth by flicking the switch back.
- Reel up the slack on your line so that there is a bow in your rod.
- When a fish strikes or your wish to bring up your line, take your rod from the holder. Give it a swift jerk upwards to free the line from the release clip.
- With a manual system, you will have to crank the cannonball up with one hand while you fight the fish with the other (unless you are with someone else). With a motorized system, you just flip the switch. You can fight the fish with both hands while you wait for the cannonball to reach the surface.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I attach the cannonball?

Community Answer

See the little line that is attached with the ball? Simply secure the "line release clip" with the marked clip. It will much easier to perform when you do this in real life.

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Question

What's the distance between the pincher and the lure?

Talha

Community Answer

The distance between the downrigger pincher (release clip) and the lure is a critical factor in successful downrigger fishing. This distance, often referred to as the "lead" or "drop-back," can vary depending on factors such as the species of fish you're targeting, the depth at which you're fishing, and the type of lure or bait you're using. As a general guideline, a common starting point for the lead is around 10 to 15 feet. However, you should experiment and adjust based on the specific conditions and the behavior of the fish. Some species might prefer a longer lead, especially if they are more cautious, while others may strike at a shorter distance.

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How do you adjust the clips for lighter strikes?

Talha

Community Answer

It involves fine-tuning the tension of the release clips. Here's a step-by-step guide: Locate the tension adjustment knob on the release clip. This is usually a small screw or knob near the mouth of the clip. Loosen the knob to reduce tension. This allows the clip to release more easily when a fish strikes with a lighter force. Deploy the downrigger with your lure or bait at the desired depth. Pay attention to how the clip releases when a fish strikes. If it releases too easily, you may need to increase the tension slightly.

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Tips

Do not insert the line all the way into the line release clip. It makes it very difficult to break off.

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It is a very good idea to have a depth finder that works to ensure that you don’t lose your cannonballs on the bottom. It is also smart to be somewhat familiar with the topography of the lake you are fishing.

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Keep a close eye on your lines when turning. The line on the outside of the turn will speed up and the line on the inside will slow down. This can allow following fish to catch up to the lure and may cause a strike. Also, avoid turning too sharply as this may cause the lines to tangle.

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Warnings

Be sure to know the fishing laws in the area you will be fishing because they are very different in some places. In some places, it is against the law to have more poles in the water than people in the boat.

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If a fish strikes the lure be sure to bring up all cannonballs. Be ready to put the boat in neutral in case the fish attempts to swim under the boat.

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Cannonballs weigh about 10 pounds, and if dropped, they can damage the boat or cause injuries.

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With hand-powered rigs, be sure to hold the handle firmly when releasing the brake as the handle may begin to spin wildly.

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Do not stand up while performing this task unless there are railings on the boat, especially in rough waters as you may lose your balance.

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Things You'll Need

boat
somewhere to fish
fishing rods (Ugly sticks are optimal. The line should be 20 - 35 lb test)
tackle
fishing net (Use a rubber type net to avoid damaging the slimy coat of the fish, and also prevent hooks from hooking into the net)
pliers