What's the best way to fish 2 lines off one downrigger? I know how to rig one line off the ball and the other up the cable. What I don't know is how far behind the ball the first line should be, how far apart the two lines should be from one another, and how far behind the cable the second line should be - all of this to prevent tangling everything up. I fished 2 lines off one rigger yesterday on Lake WA and did okay but did get the lines tangled one time.

I have never run a line off the ball. I often run two of f the same rigger and find it is workable but often a pain in the butt. (It seems like any strike, hooked fish or fouled lines are always on the bottom line necessitating rerigging the whole thing.

I find the key is to separate the line by enough vertical space that they have a hard time getting together. i.e. if the lines are to be set to run 20 feet behind the cable I want 20 feet of space between them vertically. As far as proper distance behind the clip you will find a lot of opinions on that. I usually run well back 25-50 ft if I am fishing lures that wiggle like Coyote spoons. If I am fishing something that will spin like a cut plug herring I go shorter, say 10 to 25 feet.

Great question. I am eager to see the answers.

I run the lower line right above the ball with the gear about 40 feet back from the cable. The second release is 10-15 feet up the cable with that gear only 15-20 feet away from the cable. I put a scotty cable stopper right above the second clip so my rigger will stop automatically.

My reasoning for this setup is that when if the lower clip catches a fish, the gear is back far enough so that it most likely wont foul with the gear above it which is closer to the cable as the fish rises. It also helps to turn towards the side the fish was caught on so that as he rises to the surface, you are moving your other setup still on the 'rigger to the side.

Also remember to drop your gear slowly when stacking, don't do a freefall like you might with one setup.

I've done this twice now the way Sky suggested, and both times it's worked well.

Unfortunately, I have not had a fish hit either line, so I have no experience with how that will go.

I imagine, like Dave said, it will be the bottom line that pops every time.

we ran two lines off of one d/r. the lower line was right off the ball, 5' back and the second line was 10' up and 5' back also. We had both lines hit fish and only once did we have a minor tangle.

We do this all the time out in the ocean. My uncle and I share a rigger and giver gramps one to himself. We use the regular clips and put one about 3 above the ball roughly 20' back and put the other one about 4" above the bottom one. We tangle once in a blue moon, but we are very succesful doing this so we don't mind.

Caught 3 nice kings yesterday doing this.

Kris

Sky's reasoning is sound. I've used less separation and been OK. Sockeye I had 10 ft depth separation and 10 ft farther back on the bottom line. No line fouls. I have had fouls before and it's no fun, especially running faster on the salt - the tangle is hopeless and will require re-tying everything.

I don't stack unless it's slow fishing as a rule - I find on my 18ft seaswirl three lines is plenty to run - that fourth line can be just too much anyway. The setup I like best is DRon each side and a diver off the back.

We stack all the time off of RBF'S 32' Grand Banks. We use at least 15' separation. We do exactly the opposite of Sky Guy with the bottom back quite a ways and the top not so far. Our thinking is that you have enoUgh line to get out and over the top set up when the bottom goes.

Be smart and alway buy stackers. Cut them apart and rework the line to whatever length release you like. I am using about a 30 inch release right now so I don't have to bend over the rail. Dangerous on those long trips.

For just resetting the top I have 1 of something called a JB Line returner. Lead weight with a release off it. Place over DR cable, attach release, and lower. Line tension stops it (won't pull back up. Pretty cool actually.)

Jeff, I think you are agreeing with me?
I put the lower line out further than the upper one.

Gutz,

How do you refasten the 2nd clip to lengthen?

Cut off all the factory line. Get 34" (whatever) of weedwhacker line. Crimp in new release. Crimp loop for circle clip in other end. To make a stacker put two together on one circle clip. Put circle clip on downrigger cable. Attach shorter/more worn out/bad release/ above circle clip. Attache main line to release.

I think the answer is in there somewhere.

duh, uhuh, what Ryley sed. I not read careful nuff

Check-out this link for a 'cookie-cutter-dual-rig' I run this often and it works great. Has always outperformed the regular stacking method.

Its about the 4th entry down. Has a pic, too.

http://www.fishertackle.com/Riggingpg1.html

I agree with Sky-Guy

Now I need to get that second DR mounted!

First... IMO never stack unless you absolutely have to. If you need to...

The bottom line (rod) is ran straight out the back of the boat with a larger lure/bait that will sink if the boat has to stop. Preferrably the upper line, ran off a side rod, should have a lure like a plug or slow sinking bait (cut plug by itself). If the fish hits the upper line, this should provide enough time to keep the extra rod in the water until position on the fish is made- vice versa for a plug on the upper line (it floats up).

Separation between the two lines is, as a rule of thumb, dictated by the length of line off the clip. Personally I run no more than 15 feet from the release. The reason is two-fold: (1) initial hooking power of the rod, and (2) comfort zone of the Black Box.

Lastly, both clips should be set tighter, with one being a tad more, to prevent premature releases from happening. If not, you could be in for a frustrating day on the water.