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Down Rigger with Makerel

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So when I got my boat about 7 years ago it came with a down rigger which I have used maybe 3 times trolling.  I never really got into it.  I was thinking of grabbing the Makerel out near the B buoy and south in 100 + feet of water and live lining the macks with the down rigger to get them on the bottom.  Has any one had great luck live lining with a down rigger.

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Getting mackerel down in the water column once you hook them should not be a problem  You can place a hook over the vent area and simply let it go . On the other hand if you choose to use a three way swivel rig with a bank sinker, try placing the hook through the lower and upper jaw. If you do it without damaging the mackerel they will last a long time until Big momma get a bead on it.   We have trolled with using lead core as the line in some cases and this also will get the mackerel down , especially when drifting. If you scope out some deeper pockets, you can adjust how deep you run the bait. We use the same when trolling , just place the hook between the upper and lower jaw, no weight. Do not be afraid to use a larger hook for this application. 8/0 to 10/0

Experiment and you just may find the right mixture that is successful

Life member M.B.B.A #509

Life member Izaak Walton Fishing Association

Life member Cape Cod Canal

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I have to disagree with most of these comments. You can troll macs with a downrigger. They can make a mess but provided that you keep them moving you will be fine. You do not need to be fishing really deep waters to utilize the rigger. I wish that I had a pair on my boat. You can precisely drop a bait down to where the fish are. 

 

When I troll mackerel I hook them through the nostrils. 

 

Trolling macs in deep water for larger bass is more of a summer time technique. If you see some fish down there go for it. 

 

Mackerel live near the surface most of the year. I usually troll them about 1/3 of the way to the bottom out there. 

Edited by Alpha
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