Wire line reel alternatives

[FatTuna]

There is always the option of a downrigger but I'm not sure how it would affect the action of the bunker spoons. Would work well with other methods for sure.

I second this idea since you said you don't mind spending some money.  Chuck the wire line.  I don't know why anyone uses wire line anyway.  Use braid with a top shot and run the lure down to any depth you need to go.  My opinion.  Dominick

I use wireline for a few reasons. One is we use a technique here where we drag parachute or bucktail jigs through the sand. You lay down the wire right on the bottom. You then pull on the backing and snap it so the bucktail shoots into the sand. It mimics a lobster trying to escape. Down on the Cape, there are a ton of bass in the summer that feed on lobsters. Some argue it's their favorite meal. The technique works well but it's a lot of physical work.

Two is cost. A wire setup is cheap, downriggers are not. Although, I'm sure if you shopped around you could do the downriggers cheap enough.

Three, some argue that a bunker spoon should be fished on a long, soft, fiberglass rod. It gives the spoon a pulsating action which is what triggers the bass to hit it. I honestly don't know if the downrigger would change the action.

Four, for bass, I fish by myself a lot. The wire setups keep it simple.

I do want to get a downrigger one day though.

[Ron Jones]

Everything I'm reading still says 4:1 gears to me. Way cheaper than a new reel.

As far as wire planing, the phenomenon is called "kiting", as in flying a kite. It is something we have to consider with towed SONAR arrays. The solutions we use will not work for you because you need the boat to do what it is doing for proper presentation. Increasing mass in a shorter length is the only option I see, I have no idea if a stronger wire will be heavy enough to eliminate kiting but I know a shorter length kites less all things being equal.

Hope that helps.
Ron

[FatTuna]

Everything I'm reading still says 4:1 gears to me. Way cheaper than a new reel.

As far as wire planing, the phenomenon is called "kiting", as in flying a kite. It is something we have to consider with towed SONAR arrays. The solutions we use will not work for you because you need the boat to do what it is doing for proper presentation. Increasing mass in a shorter length is the only option I see, I have no idea if a stronger wire will be heavy enough to eliminate kiting but I know a shorter length kites less all things being equal.

Hope that helps.
Ron

I agree, limit the amount of line and increase the mass. I don't know if the heavier wire would be significant enough to make a difference. I plan to experiment with it one day. I know that the diameter of the wire also increases as you increase the strength.

There is also the option of adding a drail weight towards the terminal end of the wire. That would get it down. It's a pain to have that on the end of your line but it's also a pain to have to crank in all that wire.....

[CaptainRMF]

Hey rebait1. This is just my opinion but been striper fishing Raritan Bay NJ for 30+ yrs. Only reel we ever use is the Penn 349H Mariners. Has 3.25:1 gear ratio, 350 yrd. capacity and the power handle in the second hole for extra cranking. I only use 150 ft. of Monel 30 lb. wire over 30 lb. mono backing. It gets big Bunker spoons down 25 ft. To get deeper I just add a drail weight between the wire and the 25 ft leader. 2, 4 or 6 ounce drails gets you down to any depth you need. Also easier to spool line in being a narrow spool and since I have short thumbs it's easier for me. Here's a couple of pics.                                                                 Richy

[rebait1]

Downriggers and spoons don't work for the most part. You've got to be able to see the rod surge, to know you have right speed.

I fish Maja outrodders so you can get an assist removing rod under heavy pressure......
Here's a short video of my 8 and 9' seeker bunker rods with 113H'S in action...

[rebait1]

Thanks Cpt RMF I don't know those reels and will check out their specs. Look really good.

[CaptainRMF]

Tony Maja makes some good stuff. Know him personally a long time before he was famous. He got the idea from homemade ones at our boat yard. Also, if you like the specs on those reels, I have 2 for sale. I wound up with 7 of them and don't need all of them. Thanks.      Richy