Operating Your
Manual Downrigger
Step-By Step Instructions For:
The Gadabout
®
, Runabout
®
And
Big Water Manual Downriggers...
1. While the boat is moving at trolling speed, set
your fishing reel to free-spool, apply slight
pressure to the spool with your thumb and let
your lure to the desired distance behind the boat.
Then set the drag clicker to stop your reel from
free-spooling. Place your rod in the rod holder.
2. To place the line in the line release (the Band
Buster
®
which comes with your downrigger is
shown here), grab the fishing line and wrap a
rubber band around the line and back through
itself. With the other hand reach down and
firmly take hold of the line release. Lift the
cannonball out of the water and hook the rubber
band to the line release. Then ease the cannonball
back into the water.
(Read more about line
releases on pages 21 and 22.)
3. While firmly gripping the downrigger reel’s
handle, loosen the clutch knob (found on the left
side of the downrigger) by turning the clutch knob
counter-clockwise. This will release the tension
on the disc clutch plates that hold the cannonball
at a given depth.
4. When you feel the weight of the cannonball pull
on the reel, turn the reel counter-clockwise to
lower the cannonball. Watch the line counter
that is mounted on the top of the downrigger’s
upright. The line counter is marked in one foot
increments.
Note:
At the initial installation of your downriggers,
hold the counter wheel firmly at zero and
raise or lower the cannonball to the surface
to set the line counter. This will ensure that
your line counter is showing the depth of
the cannonball.
Summary of Contents for Band Buster
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