Downriggers on SmokerCraft

[michigansnorkeler]

I just purchased a Smokercraft 16' King Troller, and want to add 2 more downriggers than it has.

Does anyone have any advice or pics of a similar craft and how they rigged it with 4 riggers? Did you use a board?

[roger23]

I don' think I would do it I tryed it on a 17 Ft they were just to close. I went with dipsys and later to a mast and planner boards we only ran with 3 people so 6 rod max 1 or 2 on each down rigger the rest on boards or dipsys, every thing depends on the fish.

[brdhntr]

If I was going to do it, I would run 2 with long arms 5' about 3' forward of the back short ones. Run the forward ones perpendicular to the side, and the two short ones straight off the back.

[roger23]

Thats how I had mine set up it worked fine in flat water. the problems came when it got a little ruff,when the boat bouncing Its worth a try,

[Jason Adam]

How many guys you gonna fish from that rig? You'd be far better served adding some versitile, adjustable tube style rod holders on the gunnels for dipseys, leadcore, inline boards, copper, etc.. There are a done of different effective presentations out there right now, without cluttering your boat with extra riggers.

Why not stack on the existing riggers?

[limige]

How many guys you gonna fish from that rig? You'd be far better served adding some versitile, adjustable tube style rod holders on the gunnels for dipseys, leadcore, inline boards, copper, etc.. There are a done of different effective presentations out there right now, without cluttering your boat with extra riggers.

Why not stack on the existing riggers?

i'd second that

[michigansnorkeler]

I do plan on dipsys (2) and I have 2 leadcore, but since I don't particularly enjoy fighting/reeling all that slow, dead line, we only use them when it seems like that's the only productive program that day.

I will likely be fishing 3 in the boat, but maybe a couple more with kids.

My real confusion is how to screw the riggers down, as I don't think I can put nuts on the bottom of anything I screw in...do I just lag bolt everything in? On my old boat I had bolts and nuts on the bottom. This one just doesn't seem to have access to the underside (everything seems to be riveted together). Lag bolts just don't seem strong enough to me.

[roger23]

You could use toggle bolts you have to drill a larger hole. they will hold a lot of load I would not trust lag screws

[Jason Adam]

I do plan on dipsys (2) and I have 2 leadcore, but since I don't particularly enjoy fighting/reeling all that slow, dead line, we only use them when it seems like that's the only productive program that day.

I will likely be fishing 3 in the boat, but maybe a couple more with kids.

My real confusion is how to screw the riggers down, as I don't think I can put nuts on the bottom of anything I screw in...do I just lag bolt everything in? On my old boat I had bolts and nuts on the bottom. This one just doesn't seem to have access to the underside (everything seems to be riveted together). Lag bolts just don't seem strong enough to me.

If the boat does not have gunnels suitable(width and strength) for mounting, I would fabricate some type of board so you are not drilling 70 holes in your aluminum boat...