How to Use Copper Wire for a Downrigger

Once downriggers were invented to allow fishermen to troll lures deep below the surface, the old-time methods of deep trolling, such as using lead core line or employing heavy weights on steel wire line, were sidelined. Downriggers still work well, but many anglers now rely on rods and reels loaded with copper wire to put their trolled lures into the strike zone of deep-swimming fish. Using copper wire requires some special rigging and special tactics to get optimum performance.

Things You'll Need

  • 50-pound test braided line
  • Large level-wind reel
  • Medium-heavy trolling rod
  • Copper wire line
  • Tape measure
  • Fluorocarbon leader material
  • Rod holder
  • Planer board
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Instructions

  1. Rigging

    • 1

      Spool 100 yards of 50-pound test braided polyester line onto a large capacity fishing reel. How large depends on the length of the copper line you plan to use. A rule of thumb is to choose a reel rated to hold a similar length of 50-pound test monofilament line if you are using 45-pound test copper line or 30-pound test monofilament if you are using 30-pound test copper line.

    • 2

      Tie the braided line to the end of the copper wire line using an Albright Special knot.

    • 3

      Wind a measured length of copper line onto the reel. The length you choose depends on the depth you want your lure to troll. The actual depth attained will vary slightly depending on the lure being used and trolling speed, but in general, 30-pound test copper will downrig a lure at a 5:1 ratio; for example, 100 feet of copper will position the lure 20 feet deep. Forty-five-pound test copper sinks at a 3.5:1 ratio.

    • 4

      Tie a fluorocarbon leader onto the end of the copper wire line using an Albright Special knot. The strength of the leader is determined by the size and tenacity of the fish you hope to catch. The length of the leader is determined by personal preference. Most anglers use 10 to 30 feet of leader.

    • 5

      Thread the end of the leader material through the guides of the fishing rod and use a Palomar knot to tie the lure to the leader.

    • 6

      Thread the end of the leader material through the guides of the fishing rod and use a Palomar knot to tie the lure to the leader.

    Trolling With Copper Line

    • 7

      Engage the boat’s motor and adjust the throttle until you get the boat traveling at the proper speed, usually between 2 and 3 miles per hour.

    • 8

      Drop the lure into the water off the stern of the boat.

    • 9

      Unspool all the copper line off the reel and continue letting line out until the knot between the copper line and braided line backing is just to the surface of the water.
      Position the rod in a rod holder and continue trolling until you hook a fish.