Downrigger on 24 Offshore

[Uncle Joe]

I have been trolling stainless wire for stripers since I was a kid. I wouldn't change something that works for me except that I have been fishing with some guys lately that really don't know how to handle it and it is starting to cost me in lost rigs, wire and fish. I am thinking of mounting a manual downrigger on my Offshore and fishing umbrellas and spoons with mono.. Is there any reason I can't mount it amidships or just aft of amidships? I see most are mounted in the rear corner but that doesn't work on the boat...and I will be doing it by myself occasionally and I don't want it that far from the helm.

Any response is appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe

 

[suzukidave]

my understanding is you mount downriggers as far astern as you can to minimize the risk of fouling the prop.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I have a Penn Fathom 600 with extended arm in my garage. Haven't used it in 2 years. Used it on my V20 for stripers a handful of times. Umbrella rigs...ugh!
Has to be in the stern corner. You don't want steel cable in your prop. Mine was on a rotating base on a rodholder mount and went in the corner rodholders.
Don't even think of trolling with a downrigger by yourself. Been There...thats the reason I didn't use it much..too many solo trips.

I started using MOJOs on braid. I'll never use a downrigger for bass again.
Ditch the wire line and forget the downrigger. Find your MOJO!!!

If you want to pull bunker spoons, get a 32 oz Mojo and trail a small bunker spoon 30 feet back (yes you'll have to hand line it in from the swivel)