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Just pulled mine out of storage today. Have all kinds of new stuff pre-rigged and now ready to try it out. Have the Dodgers some thin fins, jets, dipsies, planar boards and some peanut files. Not going to get down riggers until I have a chance to do some fishing with some friends and see if I like it enough to drop the $$ on them.

I think once you try them you will find out they are a big asset for the lake.

I am sure Bob; just need to see if I like the whole trolling/Salmon type of fishing. I have only ever been a Bass/pan fish casting fisher so the main thing will be do I like trolling and am I catching fishing. I have about $600 in just poles and tackle/rigging for the new boat for the spring Salmon (on top of the $$$$ for the new boat) so just want to be sure it will be worth it before I drop a grand+ on downrigging equipment.

When you hear one of them reels screaming, you will be hooked!! You know what boat stands for right? Break out another thousand. It never ends.

BOAT = Bring On Another Thousand

Ed, I think your going to like fishing the big lake. Four years ago, I was a pure bass fisherman - casting only. Then one day I thought to dump my Triton bass boat in burns ditch for some largemouth. Caught plenty and went back the following day. Made it all the way out to the mouth and the lake was calm. I thought, ah what the hell. Started casting cranks along the rocks and locked in to a 10lb steelhead. I continued to go out to the lake in my bass boat and catch perch and salmon that fall. Needless to say, I no longer own a bass boat

Yes I have two Hobbies:

1) Boat - Bust out another Thousand
2) Jeep - Just Empty Every Pocket

I have no problem spending the money as long as it makes sense. I am sure once I get that first Salmon I will be hooked for sure.

Bigedv, there are better things to spend money on than a downrigger at this point in your trolling endeavor. You will catch more fish on flat lines and planer boards and using dipsy divers and a couple of lead core reels. You can get a lot more usable equipment for a LOT LESS money. Once you master those basics then step up and empty your wallet on an electric downrigger.