Fishing Q&A
What is a good portable battery for an electric down-rigger?
I have a small fishing boat and I plan on getting an electric downrigger. I need a battery that is as small as possible since I will be carrying it up and down a hill. What is the best choice? Will an emergency starting battery work? How about a modified battery for a power tool? How much current do downriggers draw?
Public Comments
- Your going to need a good high amp, deep cycle battery to run a downrigger. You aren’t going to get by on the “cheap” on this. Downriggers draw anywhere from 4-12+ amps. Ball weight plays a factor along with how deep you’re planning on fishing, the number of times a “fishing day” you run the riggers up, etc.. Skip the “modified tool battery” etc. idea’s unless you’re willing to chance having the rigger run out of juice with couple of hundred feet of line out and no way to wind it up! (this really sucks!!) Friend of mine uses Scotty’s (2) he’s a professional guide and he’s got 3 group 24 batteries just to run the downriggers while trolling and he still drains them if he’s not keeping them charged daily. He’s even got a charger set up to run off his 9.9 kicker motor and still draws the battery’s down. He’s dragging 16-pound balls, and running down anywhere from 125 feet to over 450 feet deep. You’ll be better off investing in a small battery cart to pull the batteries up the hill, maybe even an oversize cart to help carry all the “stuff” one always has to carry back to their rig. Check the site out I provided. Not specifically “endorsing” Scotty’s but my friend wore out several other “brands” in no time. Scotty’s seem to stand up much better. Hope this helps, tight lines n’ singing reels !!
