How to jury rig an inflatable for deep water fishing...

[Pack Rat]

I'm a dim bulb when it comes to fishing. I want to go deep in Lake Superior for Lake Trout. Have any of you guys actually attached a downrigger to your transom? What about planer boards...are they the way to go?

How heavy of a sinker/bomb can you have on just a rod. I was using an 8 ounce on just the rod/reel the other week but it probably only went down 40 maybe 50 feet as I trolled .

Attached a short video showing what I did. The milk crate seems to work and I can add anchor weight in the crate in case I get a hit. I'm in at least 300 feet of water in the video and it drops to 900 feet just another mile out. I love the first 20 seconds of the video showing the boat gliding along slightly bobbing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTag8HWnXVw

What about trolling speed? I'm using a 25hp and it's as slow as I can go. I'm wondering if I should just drift and jig. I'm sure the 8 ounce sinker would take the lure way down if I just drift.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to jury rig an inflatable for deep water fishing...

Here's another Youtube video with slightly different arrangement in boat for fishing. The milk crates and cat litter pails work good.
Took some heavy duty industrial velcro (sticky back) and put a little water proof container on top of the cat litter pail to keep track of hooks/lures. The battery holds the milk crate down for strikes and will be used for future electronics and or trolling motor?

http://youtu.be/NslsPyWe3Fs

I have a small trolling motor but it won't fit on the transom due to the splash guards and I'm not cutting them off. I'm looking at the auxiliary motor bracket iboats has for sale but I doubt it would allow full movement of the 25 hp OB for turns.

I've decided to go with single hooks on my lures too instead of treble hooks to lessen the chance of snagging a tube.

 

[fbpooler]

Re: How to jury rig an inflatable for deep water fishing...

We used to use stainless planers to go deep for kings in salt water. You can go 12 to 16 oz or heavier trolling weights if your tackle can stand it.

 

[likalar]

Re: How to jury rig an inflatable for deep water fishing...

Outside the golden gate, California, we often used sinker releases (and heavier tackle, expecting 6-12 lb. fish). It allows use of a 2-3 pound lead ball to get down deep. When the salmon strikes, the ball falls to the bottom, latting you fight/land the fish without a heavy weight attached.
I've had luck with both kinds. Your video is very good; yes, the boat seems to be moving a bit fast. If the idle can't be adjusted downward a bit (try that first) you may have to try a trolling brake (a gizmo attached behind the prop. It spring-loaded, and swings up out of the way when you give it throttle.
Larry
.....Here's the releases: The Luhr-Jensen has different sizes available.

http://www.luhrjensen.com/products/accessories/sinker-release

also: http://www.histackleboxshop.com/Sinker-Release-Sinker-Releases-s/6.htm

A trolling brake sample is here so you get the idea: The low-buck trolling brake is to drop a small on 10 feet of strong line bucket overboard, centered off the stern. Cloth buckets (brakes) are available specifically made for the same purpose. Good luck.

Trolling brake ideas: http://www.savvyboater.com/store/p/879-Trol-A-Matic-Spring-Loaded-Nylon-Trolling-Plate.aspx

 

[fbpooler]

Re: How to jury rig an inflatable for deep water fishing...

One other thing is that rod holders attached to a crate are not going to hold up to heavy duty trolling. We have had a gunnel mounted recessed rod holder bent until we almost lost the rod on a strike with king mackeral and a trolling sinker in the 3/4 lb range. The flange of the holder broke where it was fastened to the rod tube. The reel drag has to be set pretty tight if you use an inline sinker. A planer attached to your transom with a line release clip would take the pressure off the rod holder though and probably meet your needs.

The cost of lead balls to be used with a sinker release would get into some real money pretty fast at the of price lead.