gimbal mounts for downriggers

[fishhard]

Has anyone used gimbal mount for thier downriggers? if so what are the pro's and con's to them.


http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_019548_imageset_01?$thumb$ (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012307019548a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCHFEAT_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=gimbel+mounts&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1)

[DoubleG]

If I'm not mistaken the manufacturers warn against using a heavy line or drag when mounted in a gimbel. Using downriggers in a gimbel really adds a lot of stress against the boat. If you extend the downrigger arms it multiplies the torque against the gunnels. It might be acceptable for freshwater fishing with 17# test, but get a cow or slammer & somethings gonna give :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

[MRSFISHERMAN]

I bought one for my Mag 20 and I do not use it. dDid not like that it was attached to the downrigger making it longer and heavier to move around, also more awkward. You want to buy it?, Just kidding, was thinking about making or buying a grinder for chum and mounting it to it.
Joe Termite

[blackfinjerry]

I have my penn's on gimbals and have fished them that way for 10 plus years, not a problem. They are the longer arm, I guess about 2 ft.
I used to use 5 # and or 10 # weights, now I use z-wing.
Mostly use for fall trolling but occasionally use for tuna and or sharks.
I have caught tuna/shark @ 100 # +
One time we ran over a pot and before we could go back, lost about 40 yds of wire line until it snapped and lost ball, but downrigger was fine, as it has a drag that just let line out.
One time in freshwater lake, trolling at 80 ft for lakers, I stuck both balls on a ledge that I guess was 79 ft down, same issue, peeled out wire thru drag, until I backed up and got them both back, but with lots of skid marks on the balls.
Bottom line fish hit and it releases, if balls stick it peels out downrigger drag or breaks wire line.
One less thing mounted to gunnell, by using the gimbal.
Blackfin
Blackfinjerry

[hammerheadman]

Has anyone used gimbal mount for thier downriggers? if so what are the pro's and con's to them.


http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_019548_imageset_01?$thumb$ (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012307019548a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCHFEAT_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=gimbel+mounts&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1)
I used my down riggers for years on lake ontario.When I bought my new boat I did not want to be drilling holes.So I bought the gimbal mounts mounted the swivel base to it.A little heavy and a storage problem.But they work fine.As far as a cow bass or big bluefish tugging on the down rigger? The lure is attached to a release so when the fish strikes the lure it is on your fishing rod not the down rigger. Bottom line they work .I only use them when it is on the calm side or else the lure is hard to load on a rocking boat.Hope this helps.

[fishhard]

thanks Guys for the replys, i have emailed Cannon to see what thier recomendations are. i gave them the make of my boat so i hope to hear from them.

[MRSFISHERMAN]

thanks Guys for the replys, i have emailed Cannon to see what thier recomendations are. i gave them the make of my boat so i hope to hear from them.

Cannon makes downriggers not boats. If they tell you it is ok and something goes wrong ,who will you call.
Just my thought.
Joe Termite