Electrolysis: Downrigger Fishing

[Rocky Lou]

Recently, I made two trips salmon fishing that ended in the dreaded 'skunk'. Of course, there are a myriad of factors in play including luck. However, I'm trying to eliminate any variables that are within my control. The same boat fished well last season and not much has changed except that I leave two of the refrigerators on all the time. Anodes are in good shape and downriver cable is one year old.

What is widely accepted is that positive voltage on your downrigger cable can have a major influence on fishing results. As a boat sits in the water, very small electrical currents are generated as the minerals in the water react with the different metals on the boat. If the boat is outfitted correctly, a very slight positive electrical charge will surround the hull. Fish are attracted to this positive charge. If the boat is set up wrong, an incorrect charge surrounds the hull and fish will be repelled.

I'll be checking the voltage on my cable after, first moving out of the harbor away from other sources of electrolysis, then shutting off all electronics. I'll then turn on various devices, that I normally keep running while fishing, to see if any electrical spikes occur.

I am wondering if others have done similar checks to insure their boats are 'fishy' and what were the results.

 

[Salish Seaker]

Rocky Lou,

I remember going through the same issue about 10 years ago. I once had a skunk for the whole season. I changed to braided line on the downriggers and I've had much more success. Braid just works so much better in all ways, you don't have to worry about the connections failing, current going through the wire, the cost of stainless wire, etc. Try it, you'll like it!

Peter

 

[bob daily]

The Positive Ion Control (PIC) should be 0.6 to 0.8 VDC measured from the down rigger cable to a grounded metal surface of the boat touching the water. I assume your using Cannon down riggers.
You might also try lighted flashers, more zig-zag in your trolling, different depth. Can you Mark fish on your GPS? I try to look for the bait fish, that is where the salmon like to hang out, look for sea gulls they will let you know when the salmon are pushing the bait to the surface.
Remember they call it fishing, not catching for a reason! I do have a skunk flag that I have proudly flown while entering port after a bad day! All day fishing and no fish to clean = more time drinking!
Best of luck. Bob

PS Braided line doesn't work on Cannon Down Riggers, due to the auto stop!

 

[Rocky Lou]

I have Scotty Downriggers and I ordered them a year ago with wire vs. braid. Salish's points are well taken and I agree with all of them, perhaps with the additional note that mishandling braid can turn your hands into sushi pieces. I eventually decided on wire in order to get the benefit of PIC. I'm going to start checking voltage and, if I can't get comfortable that it's right for King Salmon ~0.6 VDC, I will change over to braid. I run a Sure Stophttps://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Sure-...t=&hvlocphy=9031969&hvtargid=pla-782334734826 cord so grabbing either wire or braid is not a big deal.

Bob, I like the idea of extra drinking time, but, with our comfortable boats, I can clean, fillet, grill and take a nap as needed. 😀 Do you check your voltages regularly with a standard analog multi-meter?

 

[bob daily]

Rocky, I checked it when I first installed and other than replacing the zincs on the boat when at 50% I don't check voltage. I use cannon Mag-10s they put a positive voltage to the wire that is how they operate when it looses continuity the motor stops the upward motion, works great till you have seaweed wrapped around the down rigger ball. I've used scotty but really don't know any thing about them. Best of luck, the flashers with the strobe light works great! Bob