Down Riggers & Shad

[Carp Commander]

I'm not knew to shad fishing but I don't know much about downriggers. I recently installed downriggers on the boat. Anyone anchoring up and using downriggers for Shad?

Seems to me that holding your tackle at the right depth would be a good thing but again I have never done it.

Any issues with using braid on downriggers? I have heard there may be issues with the clips holding the braid.

Is the bite strong enough to release the clip with shad?

Thanks

[Stein]

I haven't ever used braid so I can't answer that.  Most releases I have seen can be adjusted for release strength.  It is a fine line between just loose enough and having it pop off on the way down.  I error on the side of too tight, worst case you see the fish thrashing on it and can pull the rod and pop it out yourself.

[h2ofowlr]

They have soft mouths like crappie.  They would probably tear out before popping the line loose.  You catch to landing ratio may not be very high.

[Stein]

They have soft mouths like crappie.  They would probably tear out before popping the line loose.  You catch to landing ratio may not be very high.

How about using one of those bungee things they use for kokanee?

[Carp Commander]

How about using one of those bungee things they use for kokanee?
[/quote]

I thought about that as well.

Maybe I should just stick to what I know and use plugs as divers. Seems to me that the downriggers was a good thought but may not be practical.

[Gringo31]

I use down riggers as well as a dart off of a wiggle wart with good success on both.  I drop ball to bottom (on anchor, usually 12-14') lift it up about a foot and it's game on.

[WSU]

Why bother?  Just use a lead dropper.  Quicker and easier.

[92xj]

Carp, you heading down there Saturday morning?

[Fishnclifff]

Use a cannon ball on a slider.
Use 6-12oz, depending on the current.
2-4 ft dropper and 3-5 ft leader to a dik-nite or other lure.

[Carp Commander]

Carp, you heading down there Saturday morning?

Sorry just saw this and yeah I plan on going down for a few hours Saturday morning.

I went this morning and did very good before the wind really started blowing.