Lightweight down rigger for 8' pontoon boat - best way?

[Finnfisher]

I have a Creek pontoon boat with 8' pontoons. Have elect troller but would like to add a lightweight down rigger for Kokes and trout? Any suggestions? Brand, best way to install, etc.? Would appreciate any help out there. Thx.

[Mike Carey]

strictly light-weight applications, right? Maybe a 2x4 stretched across the two pontoons, and the DR secured to the board. Board secured to the toons. Should work OK, no more than 5-7 pound ball. Issue will be the weight of the ball will make it harder to row a straight line. It can be done, I've done it in saltwater on an 8 ft inflatable sport raft with 8hp motor for coho.

[Finnfisher]

Thanks, Mike. I like your idea but want something light and simple. Thinking of bolting a Scotty Lake Troller lightweight rigger to a rail using a Scotty pole holder mount. Seems feasible in theory; but will it work? Would have to keep weight light (3-4 lbs) and not go much deeper than 30'. We'll see....

[kodacachers]

Have you thought of the "poor man's down rigger? Just a ball on a line tied off at the desired depth. I just got a pontoon boat and was going to give it a try. There's a couple you tube videos

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

I think the seat would have you too restricted to use a manual downrigger. I'd go with an in-line sinker appropriately sized.

[Skaha]

--depending on how deep you might want to try a torpedo diver
--basically these are shaped like a torpedo or dart. thus need a lot less weight . they do attach to the line but as you will be going slow in your pontoon they should get down to decent depth and they do have a scale rating to help determine depth.
--these work well with canoe and kayak as well where you dont' want the weight all on one side.

--The other option woudl be a drop weight... use an echo friendly rock instead of the traditional lead.. this weight attaches to the line but when a fish strikes it releases like a downrigger... you do not retrieve the weight so I like to use a rock. can crasy glue a loope on the rock. I don't like using something that is going to be an issue as it is going to stay in the lake.

[wlai]

I am in a similar situation and ended up going with Davis Fish Seeker, a torpedo diver with adjustable depth, from 5 ft to 80 ft. Haven't used it yet so can't tell you how well it works, but the reviews are good.

http://smile.amazon.com/Davis-Seeker-Tr ... redirect=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;