TLDR;
This video provides a tip for down rigging, advocating for replacing stainless steel cables on downriggers with high-power braid, specifically Scotty braid or Power Pro. The presenter highlights the issues with steel cables, such as kinking, spooling off when hitting the bottom, and potentially repelling fish due to negative electricity. He suggests that braid is more forgiving, reduces blowback, and eliminates electrostatic hum, ultimately increasing the chances of catching fish.
- Recommends replacing steel cables with braid on downriggers.
- Highlights issues with steel cables like kinking and repelling fish.
- Suggests braid is more forgiving, reduces blowback, and increases catch rates.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces a quick tip for down rigging, focusing on an upgrade for downrigger cables. The presenter is about to share a method he uses on his own downriggers to improve performance and reduce common issues associated with traditional steel cables.
Replacing Steel Cable with Braid [0:05]
The presenter explains that he replaces the standard steel cable on his downriggers with a thicker cable that connects to a spool filled with braid. He recommends using either Scotty braid or Power Pro, specifying that he typically uses 200-pound Scotty braid. He notes that while a 250-pound braid might cause slightly more blowback, it is significantly more forgiving than stainless steel cable.
Problems with Steel Cable [0:31]
The presenter illustrates the problems associated with steel cables, particularly when fishing for lake trout or similar species. He explains that if the cable hits the bottom, it can jump off the spool and unravel. Any small bends, nicks, or kinks in the cable necessitate cutting out the damaged section to prevent future failures. He shows an example of a spool with cable, demonstrating how easily it kinks and unspools.
Demonstration of Cable Issues [1:14]
The presenter demonstrates how steel cable behaves when it encounters an obstruction. He simulates hitting the bottom and shows how the cable spontaneously uncoils and kinks, even without external force. This behavior is especially problematic with Scotty downriggers, where the cable is prone to these issues.
Advantages of Using Braid [2:59]
The presenter recommends switching to high-power braid, especially for Scotty downriggers, to avoid the problems associated with steel cable. He notes that while braid may not be suitable for Cannon downriggers due to their auto-stop feature that relies on electrical current through steel cable, braid offers several advantages.
Choosing the Right Stoppers [4:36]
The presenter advises viewers to use appropriate stoppers for braided lines. He recommends using red stoppers with an extra latch, which are better suited for braid, and suggests using two stoppers with a bit of glue for added security. He reiterates that braided line is easier to handle, reduces blowback, and does not spool off when hitting the bottom.
Additional Benefits of Braid [5:14]
The presenter points out that steel cable can kink and get stuck, requiring the line to be wiggled to free it. He emphasizes that even with brand-new steel cables, these issues persist, reinforcing his recommendation to switch to braid.
Impact of Boat Electricity on Fish [5:43]
The presenter explains that boats can emit negative electricity, which can repel fish. While Cannon downriggers claim to use a positive ion charge to attract fish, using braid eliminates any chance of repelling fish due to electrical charges. Additionally, braid eliminates the electrostatic hum that can deter fish.
Conclusion and Encouragement to Test Braid [6:16]
The presenter concludes by encouraging viewers to try using braid on at least one downrigger as a test. He expresses confidence that they will see an increase in bites and never want to switch back to steel cable.