Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Mr. Sandman · 12-02-2006, 09:14 AM

I have been using the canon digi-troll IV with pretty good success. (better each year) The only reason I bought this unit is it has the option of using its own transom mouned transducer that allows the unit to know exactly how deep it is. This allows the downrigger to do bottom contouring, ie automajically raising and lowering the ball as the bottom depth changes. (you simply set the depth you want the lure off the bottom...along with a few other settings) This works great for bass and you don't hang the ball on the bottom ever. I have driven right over bars with rapid depth changes and the lure stays at the depth off the bottom I specified...it is impressive to see working.
For tuna where the water is generally really deep and you just want to go 50' or so down you really don't need this, but it is still a nice feature as you can program it to do there things at different depths.
I use a rod-holder mount and not the deck mount. It works fine and you can take it off and bring it home when not in use.

IMO after using them now for about 4 years I have to say they they do indeed work but it adds another level of complication to fishing that I really don't care for and it is electric (you will need to install this). The biggest plus is you can troll a lure or bait 50-100' behind the boat and 50' down with brainded line even on a light rod if you want! It is a real replacement for wire line.
One thing you will need is an Aftco roller-troller clip (buy a few...these are good!) You attach this to the ball and this has a ball bearing wheel that allows the line to go in and out as the ball goes up and down, snaps open on a strike. works great. However on real light lures you are better off with a standard pinch clip as the drag in the line going straight down will belly and pull you lure in too close to the clip. So you need both kinds of clips.

For tuna try the delta Z-wing planner. Several guys I know use them and they like them. I have never tried one...but they look cool and don't require electric power.

12-02-2006, 09:14 AM	#2
Mr. Sandman Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 7,649	I have been using the canon digi-troll IV with pretty good success. (better each year) The only reason I bought this unit is it has the option of using its own transom mouned transducer that allows the unit to know exactly how deep it is. This allows the downrigger to do bottom contouring, ie automajically raising and lowering the ball as the bottom depth changes. (you simply set the depth you want the lure off the bottom...along with a few other settings) This works great for bass and you don't hang the ball on the bottom ever. I have driven right over bars with rapid depth changes and the lure stays at the depth off the bottom I specified...it is impressive to see working. For tuna where the water is generally really deep and you just want to go 50' or so down you really don't need this, but it is still a nice feature as you can program it to do there things at different depths. I use a rod-holder mount and not the deck mount. It works fine and you can take it off and bring it home when not in use. IMO after using them now for about 4 years I have to say they they do indeed work but it adds another level of complication to fishing that I really don't care for and it is electric (you will need to install this). The biggest plus is you can troll a lure or bait 50-100' behind the boat and 50' down with brainded line even on a light rod if you want! It is a real replacement for wire line. One thing you will need is an Aftco roller-troller clip (buy a few...these are good!) You attach this to the ball and this has a ball bearing wheel that allows the line to go in and out as the ball goes up and down, snaps open on a strike. works great. However on real light lures you are better off with a standard pinch clip as the drag in the line going straight down will belly and pull you lure in too close to the clip. So you need both kinds of clips. For tuna try the delta Z-wing planner. Several guys I know use them and they like them. I have never tried one...but they look cool and don't require electric power.