Downrigging help

[idesign]

Guys i have 14 foot boat.I have bought manual scooty downrigger & rod/reels.Can an1 tell me what size cannon ball should i get.i will be getting depth finder soon.
secondly,what should i use as bait other then spoon to catch salmon.
I will be launching boat from Bluffers Park.Can any1 tell me if this is good spot.
about trolling,how should i troll.i mean from point i start how far should i go.
thank you very much in advance for reply.

 

[Spinninreel]

The standard size cannon ball is either a 8 or 10lb weight. Other things to try are large jointed rapala in chartreuse or hot pink colour. Other things that work well are trolling flies with a dodger or flasher in front of it. As to where to go, that depends on too many things, so the best advice is to talk to the other people out there.

 

[disspatcher]

idesign, be careful out there in a 14'er....big water and weather changes pretty fast! I would def. get a radio for safety.
I might try a dipsey diver,with a flasher and either spoons,cut bait or plugs. berkley sells a new cut bait, last longer and is a wee bit cleaner.

8lb cannon balls are ok, 10lb-15lb track better but are a pain to wheel up with a manual downrigger.
2.5 to 3.0 m.p.h. trolling speed.Sonar is almost a must. Helps if you have a clinefinder(temp gauge) find the 50 degrees marker and drop em down! Start out at 80 fow and zig zag a trolling pattern and you will find them.
Tight Lines.
Disspatcher

 

[idesign]

thx disspatcher for the tip.i will give a try hopefully next week.