Reading Downrigger Cable Angles

Jason Tonelli explains why trolling speed is not always accurate. Learn his technique of how to use the downrigger cable angle to find the sweet spot for salmon fishing.

[@plasticapple7]

What size weights were you using?

[@toqueman69]

I use the 45deg. angle on my downrigger line, but mostly so I know the true depth of my lure. I do as well play with speed for many reasons. so why is line angle more important than speed? Im curious cuz maybe I put to much into my speed...?

[@mikey27437]

Would weight and surface profile of a lead ball be an other variable of the equation? What weight was used in the video?

[@WeezaGal]

*We tried this out finally yesterday and it worked awesome! **enjoyable.fishing** recommend it’s we put it on our 16 foot aluminum boat and trolled with it. We didn’t catch anything but it was still fun and worked awesome! Can’t wait to use this baby again and hopefully reel in a big ole fish! Very easy to install and set up.*

[@WmNatali-md1if]

Wow just seeing this out of the box kzbin.infoUgkxQr1yd4Zc6qJF-scTB6Zb9dQbVpviuRxB recommend I have yet to fish with this set up, but based on the first hands on appeal, I can tell this is going to change the way i pack and carry to a whole new level. If you fish like i do, you know the smaller and less stuff the better. I’ve added a photo of just some of my gear so you can see how serious i am about fishing.

[@pedrogimy]

Hello, I would like to know what brand and model of canes you use, I am from Spain. Thanks

[@jessepavlina1624]

They measure with the angle. Just check an change amount of weight if you drive to slow

[@richardworley2447]

Jason. I am not the expert that you are but have a fair amount of time with downriggers now. The size of the weight affects the line angle as well (at any given speed), so what size weights are you using as your basis for the 45 degree line angle? And at what depth? These variable affect it a lot, so just asking for a little more of your expertise and insight. Thx, Richard

[@Foxman876]

tberninger1 if u are fishing with 80 feet of line out at a 45 degree angle does that mean u are really only fishing 40 feet deep?

[@Broxty]

Jacob Fox really? If that's an honest comment you clearly didn't go to school. Try using a little trig to find the depth.

[@mattvaquer5025]

Instead of insulting people since you obviously think your smarter than they are would be to give them a simple way to get the answer, not everyone is good at math especially Trig... That way your not an ass and you still get a chance to show how smart you are, just food for thought.. :) Jacob, a simple rule of thumb that will get you close if your running @ 45 degrees is to multiply your cable by .70 so in this case 80 feet of cable @ 45 Degrees the depth would be about 56 feet. This is just a relatively close estimate, there is blowback or balooning (curvature of the line from the down rigger to the weight caused by drag of the cable and or terminal equipment) to be considered especially at deeper depths, how much weight your running etc. but this will get you pretty close up to about 200 feet in depth running 200 pound test, low drag microfilament premium power braid downrigger line with a 15 lb ball which is what most people in the PNW use fishing Salmon

[@capexcitement]

what if there is no current say if your ground speed stays the same after turning around what is the optimum speed?

[@thomasbuchwald5346]

His advice is great. Watch your downrigger line and try to keep the 45 degree angle. Heavier weights or lower drag downrigger line will let you keep your downrigger line more vertical and keep the same action on your rod line. The advantage of this is you have better control of the rod lines, especially if you have 2 lines on each side of your boat, if you have to make frequent turns, and/or lots of boat traffic. This video gives you a great general idea on how to get started. I would like to see a video explaining how to setup your fishing line gear from the downrigger weight to the bait/lure. And tips for fishing for coho silver salmon.

[@Broxty]

Weights? Depth? Braid vs cable? Stacking gear? Tons of variables.

[@UrbanCheese709]

The 45 degree angle on your diagram (1:08) is a lot less than 45.

[@zandemen]

I don't really believe this rule of thumb. The blowback is highly dependent on depth, so I could troll at 8 knots at a depth of 5 feet and have a 45 degree angle, or 0.5 knots and a depth of 300 feet and have the same angle. it also depends on the terminal gear; if I have a full size flasher, the blowback is a lot different from trolling with no flasher, no dodger and using a small anchovy. Also, is that with a 6 pound ball, or 20? What kind of speed will you be at with this rule if you're using a 20 pound ball, no flasher or dodger and a small lure and fishing a depth of 15 feet, say a bucktail or streamer? That's enough reasons there I think to say that this rule has more exceptions than actual applications.

[@Fishing_Daddy_84]

U guys just need a Fishhawk

[@SOPhenix-np6cl]

Depends on where you fish. This info is good for lakes. Out in the ocean this is almost impossible due to large swell etc. we set our downrigger a based on action of our stuck bait. If the presentation is spinning well for salmon then we know speed is good. Angle is irrelevant out in the ocean

[@walterlevesque4879]

yeah but it all depends on how deep your trolling. Sooo. Yeah.

[@marchh6501]

useless info , size ,shape lead , drag of the lures ,diameter cable , even the the drag of the stacker has influance on cable angle , sorry

[@salmonkiller2545]

Stainless cable vs braid...

[@walterlevesque4879]

Yup

[@walterlevesque4879]

Really you've used braid? I never have. Didn't even think it was a thing.

[@JS-te4gz]

+Walter Levesque Not braided line.....

[@danvitale1642]

Doesnt make sense. What speed?

[@BCOutdoorsSportFishingTV]

It varies depending on the tide, its more about the angles of the line. He found the perfect speed at 3mph for chinook, which is noted just at the top of the video :)

[@nichesound]

dangle of the angle it all depends on weight, speed, direction, and tide my gawd keep it simple wet your line better than sitting in an office and complaining you aren't fishing!!!

[@armytruck08]

good vid , poor feedback

[@davidc.9933]

That makes no sense anywhere else....fishhawk