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Tin Lizzy
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« on: August 26, 2010, 10:24:52 PM » |
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Looking at buying a mold to make my own downrigger weights. I am looking at buying one that makes 12 finned balls, but came across a couple of the fish shaped ones. I know it is a preference as to what kind of balls(weights) you like,  just looking to see if anyone has used the fish shaped ones, and if they are decent or not. I have a couple 13 lb. pancake weights that I do not like, they seem to wander around to much, I don't seem to get tangle with regular finned balls, mainly just the pancakes. So I am curious if the fish shaped ones would wander also? Also is 12lb. the standard for fishing 100-200 ft depths? I know there are 15 and 20lbs., but don't think I need much lead, although I believe my scotty's should be able to handle it. |
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Rod Markham
Hoton Canal
Lund 21 SportFisherman
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Fishfighter
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« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2010, 10:32:41 PM » |
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I use 12 pound finned balls
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Josh Waters the fish yanked my ass from the stern to the bow
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DooFighter
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« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2010, 09:49:53 AM » |
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I'd say 12s are good to 100ft, deeper than that I'd go heavier. I'm using atommik's 13# torpedoes and they gave been great all season. Don't think you'll find a mold for those, though. Hard to go wrong with a finned ball for KISS.
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Gary Tackman
SeeSwell
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Toolman
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« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2010, 11:43:32 AM » |
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We use 10lb fish weights on our outside downriggers and finned balls on our stern riggers. Have been looking for somone with a mold because I have access to lots of clean lead. I have not had any trouble with the fish weights wandering. However, we do not generally run the fish weights deeper than 100 ft.
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Ray Uimari
Take Three
Marquette, MI
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AFFLICTION
New Guy
 Offline
Posts: 42
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« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2010, 11:49:18 AM » |
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Didn't AC/DC write a song about this??? Went a little something like this- Ive got finned balls you've got finned balls, but i got the biggest balls of em all?? |
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Ryan Erickson
???? 2011
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UPHAWKEYE
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« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2010, 01:27:11 PM » |
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Big Brass ones !!! Sorry, couldnt resit but ya had to know it was comin the way you wrote it...  |
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Brad R. Little Lake
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joehayman1
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« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2010, 01:53:33 PM » |
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Joe Hayman
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BiG ARN
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« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2010, 06:36:35 PM » |
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I'd say 12s are good to 100ft, deeper than that I'd go heavier. I'm using atommik's 13# torpedoes and they gave been great all season. Don't think you'll find a mold for those, though. Hard to go wrong with a finned ball for KISS.
KISS? i know gene simmons has his meat hooks into everything from kiss condoms to kiss pin ball machines but KISS downrigger balls? LOL |
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Aaron Hendrickson
Boat Name: BiG ARN
Hydro Hooker Deck Boss
Fishing Whore!!
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Tin Lizzy
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« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2010, 12:53:25 PM » |
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Looks like I will probably go for the 12 lb. finned, unless the fish shaped one is that much cheaper.
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Rod Markham
Hoton Canal
Lund 21 SportFisherman
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tangent_vector
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« Reply #9 on: August 28, 2010, 08:33:09 PM » |
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I've had a finned 10 lb mold for a number of years. 10's work for me, up to 180-200'.
Sure is nice to not have a snag cost $50 in lead, and a dozen new balls on the shelf.
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Keith
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Tin Lizzy
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« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2010, 11:30:43 PM » |
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Right on Keith! I got sticker shock when I went to Gander and they wanted 40 bucks for a plain lead 12 lb. finned ball. What do you use to boil the lead? I used a coleman camp stove the last time I made sinkers, but it took a long time, the wind kind of screwed it up, since I didn't want to do it in the garage with the doors closed.
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Rod Markham
Hoton Canal
Lund 21 SportFisherman
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tangent_vector
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« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2010, 07:03:22 AM » |
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Acetylene torch. And actually, I don't do it. In fact, never seen it done. An old friend of mine likes to tinker and happens to have a lead stockpile. So I drop off fresh fish every once in a while, and every year or two, I drop off the mold. Usually the next day after work, the mold and a dozen new balls are on my boat shed apron.
If anyone is going to do that themselves, I'd caution to pick up a metal vapor collecting respirator. There's a bit of lead vapor moving around, especially if you over heat it.
Regarding coating them, I found a spray can in Lowes that was "spray on rubber coating". Seemed to do an ok job, just not as thick as something that's been dipped, even after six or eight coats.
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Keith
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flh1942
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« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2010, 08:53:10 AM » |
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Ah for the good old days ... used to use the fume hood in the chem lab and 3 "Fisher" burners to make the balls. Local garage gave me all the used tire weights I could use (5 gallon pails full) and life was good. Still have a lot of those 6, 8, and 10 lbs balls to fish with. |
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Carpe Diem
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HAPPY HOUR
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« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2010, 09:18:14 AM » |
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a turkey fryer base and a old cast iron pot work well for melting the lead. wear safety gear (glasses, shield, long pants respirator etc) dirty lead can "burp" and cause all sorts of problems!
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Steve Sanderson
Boat name: HAPPY HOUR
Home port: marquette fish dock
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joehayman1
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« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2010, 03:38:09 PM » |
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Just bought my first downrigger. Is 12 lb. the best all around weight? What weights / configurations would you all recommend? I got a great deal on a Walker Kingfisher manual downrigger.
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Joe Hayman
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