Increasing my small boat rod spread

[freestylin599]

Hey everyone,

As we approach spring, my cousin and I are really excited to add some new stuff to our arsenal for when we have a chance to take our small boat out.

The main thing since last year is now that we have a working gas motor we have more freedom in the bodies of water which we choose for trolling.

We currently have at our disposal:
1 downrigger and 1 dipsy diver.

We can double stack our downrigger in deep enough water making our total rod spread 3 with the dipsy off the opposite side.

I'm curious whether you would add more dipsys to the mix, another downrigger or both, maybe a lead core? Downrigger would probably be more versatile because we do a lot of river fishing where our spread is limited due to width of body of water.

Also looking into different lure choice as we mainly run spoons for salmon/trout and inline spiners for pike.

Let me know what you all think and what you use! Just trying to increase hook up.

Thanks,
J

 

[Scott Danforth]

You know that your Coleman Crawdad has a maximum capacity of 420#

in that pic alone, you have
1 outboard at 65#
1 fuel can with fuel at 32#
2 swivel seats at 22# or 44#
1 throw cushion at 2.5#
2 PFD's at 4# each
a bag of gear at 10#
added bracketry for your downrigger at about 10#
going to assume 20# of fishing gear not including your 20# of downrigger

going to assume a 7# anchor and 4# of anchor line
That is 222#

so hope you and your cousin are only 98# each

You need a bigger boat

 

[dingbat]

Me think you need a bigger boat…lol

How deep are you fishing?

I have a bit more space space to work with but I pull one rod off each downrigger, six boat rods and 7 rods off each planer board.

Gives a spread of 42 baits spread over an area 200 feet wide x up to 25’ deep.

Know a guy that fished 12 rods using planer boards out of a 16’ John boat for years

 

[racerone]

Just fish like normal.----Give fish stocks a chance to survive.

 

[Buzzsaw420]

You know that your Coleman Crawdad has a maximum capacity of 420#

in that pic alone, you have
1 outboard at 65#
1 fuel can with fuel at 32#
2 swivel seats at 22# or 44#
1 throw cushion at 2.5#
2 PFD's at 4# each
a bag of gear at 10#
added bracketry for your downrigger at about 10#
going to assume 20# of fishing gear not including your 20# of downrigger

going to assume a 7# anchor and 4# of anchor line
That is 222#

so hope you and your cousin are only 98# each

You need a bigger boat

Cooler, drinks, snacks, 50 lbs. you need a bigger boat.

 

[freestylin599]

Me think you need a bigger boat…lol

How deep are you fishing?

I have a bit more space space to work with but I pull one rod off each downrigger, six boat rods and 7 rods off each planer board.

Gives a spread of 42 baits spread over an area 200 feet wide x up to 25’ deep.

Know a guy that fished 12 rods using plan

Deepest water would be 90 ft but the deepest we would actually troll would be about 60 ft deep. Most times we are in water that is anywhere from 15-25 feet deep. When we can we get out to some deeper water where our target is usually 30-60 feet.

I wish we could have more space but we work with what we can for now. We only max out right now at like 3-5 baits 42 sounds nuts.

You know that your Coleman Crawdad has a maximum capacity of 420#

in that pic alone, you have
1 outboard at 65#
1 fuel can with fuel at 32#
2 swivel seats at 22# or 44#
1 throw cushion at 2.5#
2 PFD's at 4# each
a bag of gear at 10#
added bracketry for your downrigger at about 10#
going to assume 20# of fishing gear not including your 20# of downrigger

going to assume a 7# anchor and 4# of anchor line
That is 222#

so hope you and your cousin are only 98# each

You need a bigger boat

I also agree that we need a bigger boat but we work with what we have. although these weights are a little off. We have worked hard to minimize our weight in the boat while out. Motor weighs 40# - lighter than our electric set up (trolling motor/battery). we only take a small gas tank(2 gallon) out so under 15#. The seats are around 10# a piece. Beyond that its a cannon mini troll with a 5# weight(under 10# total).

I would love to get a bigger boat but normal life keeps getting in the way (stupid windows and chimney). We worked really hard to minimize weight on this one, and overall works very well for what we use it for.

 

[airshot]

In my state we can only use three rods per person !! And a max of three hooks per line. What would I do with 40 ?

 

[dingbat]

In my state we can only use three rods per person !! And a max of three hooks per line. What would I do with 40 ?

Go Striper fishing with the home boys….lol

One fish per day, 35” minimum.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I also agree that we need a bigger boat but we work with what we have. although these weights are a little off. We have worked hard to minimize our weight in the boat while out. Motor weighs 40# - lighter than our electric set up (trolling motor/battery). we only take a small gas tank(2 gallon) out so under 15#. The seats are around 10# a piece. Beyond that its a cannon mini troll with a 5# weight(under 10# total).

so with the 40# difference that means you and your cousin are 118# each?

I was 10 weighed 118#

 

[SirFishesALot]

Most people go wider when fishing extra rods rather than double stacking deep. In a narrow river however I think you are better off getting a second down rigger. You could get a 4th rod in use that way.

 

[Dubed]

Go Striper fishing with the home boys….lol

One fish per day, 35” minimum.

We have a slot of 28" to 31" on Stripers at this point.
Mostly catch and release