Kipawa Fishing Forum

I'm picking up 2 Canon Mag 10 STXs for 1000.
Used twice.

Looking at the cost if they are in good shape it seems like fair price.

These seem to get good reviews, I have zero
experience with downriggers. I am thinking I need to check the motors and line counter works well.. Maybe if the booms are bent?

Hey Greg. I think I saw that add Greg. Did they have the risers with them? Had the same ones on my Alaskan that I sold last year. If you need anything you can talk to George at Bay Distributing in North Bay , he is a Cannon service Guy. Send me a P.M.

Pm sent :)

I’ve used those the last 5 years. They’re great downriggers. 1000 is a wonderful price for them.

Greg, thats a great addition to your boat. You’ll need to bone up on releases and weights and such. They make weights that are in the shape of a fish that are chrome plated that I have heard work as a flasher when trolling for trout as well as completely blacked out ones to be more inconspicuous. Lots to learn which is part of the fun!

https://www.fish307.com/shark-cannonball-aluminum-15-lb/?keyword_session_id=vt~adwords%7Ckt~%7Cmt~%7Cta~590283578569&_vsrefdom=wordstream&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmPSSBhCNARIsAH3cYgYkaO7LhXm8IrGgrQhD8NrPnU2xpp2EMWMcAnUaPVW8NoJHlFTplxAaAqSwEALw_wcB

I have 2, i couldn't see the boom being bent they are solid.  The nice thing with the 10stx models is the extension booms, and have the auto stop.  They have made them along time so it does depend on the year on the speed of retrieve also. 

Thanks for the input! I picked them up yesterday.

He said they had the fast retrieval. The plastic isn't faded, owner said he didn't leave them on the boat unless he was using them. The spool feels smooth when I pulled out some line and just wound it by hand. They came with 2 cannon risers.

I didn't even think to ask what year they are, not sure I want to know now.. I'll just get pissed if they are like 10yrs old HAHA! Hopefully, they are good. If not I guess I'll be fixing them.

I don't typically by this kind of equipment used but I took a gamble this time.. fingers crossed!

Now to start collecting the required accessories :)

Nice snag Greg.
Don't worry about the year Greg. I have 20 year old Walkers and have used them a lot. Canon and Walkers are the best.
You'll want swivel bases. Way easier to set up your line and break down. I also prefer my low profile weights. Less drag.

nice greg, I was lucky like that also.  Let me know if I can help.  I use mine lots.

Thanks!

Sure! I could use some help, otherwise I'll be googling everything.

- Preferred releases ,clips etc

- what size balls should I be looking at collecting for walleye, lakers and the north channel on Huron.

Great another hobby!!! Just what I needed LOL! :)

Greg-to keep in mind...

the heavier the ball, the more drag. Your counter will say a depth but your ball will be 10-20% higher than your counter if you go with a heavy cannonball.
I have the sleeker style.

Cannon releases are very good. Haven't tried the others.

Learn how to put a cheater on to cover more water.

You might want to invest in a Fish Hawk too if you get serious.

limacharley ,

invest in a Fish Hawk too if you get serious.. your gonna get me in trouble! LOL!

I was thinking the slimmer rigger weights would be more efficient and stay more vertical.

The cannon balls really make a difference when fishing Lake Ontario with the current.  If you are going to troll faster speeds definitely make a difference but if just troll 1.6-2mph 10lbs normal balls are fine.  On releases there are so many options out there.  I use the clips when fishing salmon but I use a walker release for lake trout.  The only way to find out what you like is to try it.

You will not be getting away cheap here.
Now your into another set of fishing rods and reels.
You will need another tackle box just for all your downrigging spoons.
You will need a repair kit to fix your downrigger cable repairs.
You will need a spare spool of Downrigger Cable
Fish Hawk....inland lakes no, Lake Ontario/Lake Huron/Georgian Bay/ Lake Erie...Definitely YES

Katching.....The money will be rolling out

What's arnother few grand @RHYBAK ? ;D @Greg told me Boat stands for Bring On Another Thousand  ;D So, So, SOOOOOO True!

Go to FishUSA and buy your trolling pole reel setups, I use these Okuma combo's and so far work well for the $$$ They run around $90 USD each

https://www.fishusa.com/Okuma-Great-Lakes-Trolling-Combos

I don't work for FishUSA  ???  but they are great and always have decent pricing. I am on their email list and get discount offers occasionally. Today take $20 off a $175 or more purchase. Promo code "SAVE".  So Greg, that  takes the Fishawk from $799 USD to $779, hit the buy button!  ;D

Chris

Buying from FISH USA is great for you but not so great for Canadians
Dollar Difference
Duties / Tarrifs
Shipping

That is why I will be sending stuff to your house if you ever come for a fishing lesson

Quote from: RHYBAK on April 20, 2022, 08:46:07 AM
Chris

Buying from FISH USA is great for you but not so great for Canadians
Dollar Difference
Duties / Tarrifs
Shipping

That is why I will be sending stuff to your house if you ever come for a fishing lesson

I am more than willing to be a Fishing Goods Mule  ;D ;D ;D 8)

Border Agent: Sir do you have anything to declare
Hodgey1: Like what Sir?
Border Agent: Contraband!
Hodgey1: No, No Sir...... Just some fishing Tackle  ;D

Quote from: Hodgey1 on April 20, 2022, 08:43:01 AM
What's arnother few grand @RHYBAK ? ;D @Greg told me Boat stands for Bring On Another Thousand  ;D So, So, SOOOOOO True!

Go to FishUSA and buy your trolling pole reel setups, I use these Okuma combo's and so far work well for the $$$ They run around $90 USD each

https://www.fishusa.com/Okuma-Great-Lakes-Trolling-Combos

I don't work for FishUSA  ???  but they are great and always have decent pricing. I am on their email list and get discount offers occasionally. Today take $20 off a $175 or more purchase. Promo code "SAVE".  So Greg, that  takes the Fishawk from $799 USD to $779, hit the buy button!  ;D

So that's 5G canadian LOL!

After putting these in my tracks, I think I need lower risers. I can easily flex the gunnels by pushing or pulling the rigger with 2 fingers. Very little pressure is required.

The tracks and brackets don't move at all it's the actual gunnels flexing!

You can see the gunnel flexing at least 3' up from the rigger and back to the gas cap.

I'm going to try lower risers and if that doesn't work, I may get some 1/8 aluminum stock and get it bent to match the inner gunnel wall so I can bolt to the gunnel and deck in a few places. It should look "ok"
if it's painted black to match the gunnel carpet.

Anybody want to buy a couple risers $100.

(https://dsm01pap003files.storage.live.com/y4mGlrTevOSSYMdoeuUlc6tdS4dut7tIM0R3OEBRlJ0XwKtTminJKBDtPIrlKeT0pW6L1Ou-f4UVN1bT_UmP3Hoc-1OEVSfrs3eU3txP_X8Pda3ohorZDUiYdKT-hjnJBW-m07qJXhC4M0zwYBkqVaa7dJhKVJr-givmMddAffZZG0-2nL2RmwqzUM4vORUXrDr?width=968&height=437&cropmode=none)

That is a lot of stress on the gunnels.
Especially once you start dragging a cannon ball.
Can you not get a more solid bolting direct to the back floor?
that way you can use your risers

Quote from: RHYBAK on April 21, 2022, 09:01:33 AM
That is a lot of stress on the gunnels.
Especially once you start dragging a cannon ball.
Can you not get a more solid bolting direct to the back floor?
that way you can use your risers

Ya, I can do that to but either way I need to reinforce the deck because it's wood, so I might as well just reinforce the gunnel and use my tracks :)

Off the back corners will be a pain to work with especially in rough water.

BOAT = BREAT OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND! HAHA!

Another mounting option that would be easier to mount and reinforce , but not as convenient to fish with.

Back corner are that bad to get at but certain not as convenient but they are out of the way for other fishing so that's a plus!

I haven't decided yet, yup I like to over think things!

(https://dsm01pap003files.storage.live.com/y4mNxNAcM8CUE_Om-CYjvcW_Ayl98iVdnBrESw1-ZGyKO_tftrnxdTU-KcTvOqJISTWaR3USilOzSO2G-2UyTbO8Ma9CQEtViT4OPpaCnxvmdQB2dO7fc0UgxKbS4GcRyqWVuGmu44Uu5AnSCaixaJfn1Cn7EugiQUz1TdDwlTDWiben5K_QFFl_wLpqvTnhUv9?width=660&height=297&cropmode=none)

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Something else to consider is a pair of ball retrieval ropes.   They attach on your DR cable and run to the frame of the DR. This allows you to safely  connect and disconnect your ball close to the side of the boat. Really beneficial on rough days.

Quote from: Graphite on April 25, 2022, 09:24:33 AM
Something else to consider is a pair of ball retrieval ropes.   They attach on your DR cable and run to the frame of the DR. This allows you to safely  connect and disconnect your ball close to the side of the boat. Really beneficial on rough days.

GOOD IDEA! Added to the list!

OK,

Hardware is all on order.

400' Spool of canon downrigger cable
Power Plugs
Ball Retrievers
2 - 10lb canon balls
Terminator Kit

Any suggestions on baits?

I have a lot of minnow baits but no spoons, flashers etc.. If you were just starting out and gonna fish Hurons North Channel and Lakers in Kipawa.

What baits/colors would you start with?

Hi GregL.
From our experience on Kipawa Northern King spoons in plane silver or gold work well.  They are the magnum size.  If you are going to use a stacker off of one of your DR'S, use a 3 inch spoon with a  watermelon or purple  color with a silver or gold back.   We usually don't fish below 45 feet just for the fact that if you catch a smaller fish it has a better chance of being successfully released.    If you are fishing for salmon on Huron I would think that an assortment of spoons would work as well.   I have had great success on Lake Ontario with them.  Happy fishing.  This style of fishing has a learning curve.   Just have to try different things!

We have tried flashers and gang trolls for Lakers with limited results.   In my opinion I think what matters is the setback.    We usually start with around 40 to 50 feet of line behind the boat before the line goes into the bottom release.    First the top line that goes into the stacker release, the setback is around the distance between the ball and the height of the stacker.    Hope this helps. 

Greg. When I first started going to Kipawa in the mid 90's I would stay at Corbeau and downrig for lakers day in and day out. Never fished walleye for years. Always ran a cheater line. At that time it was almost always Silver Fox spoons . Always had a blue on one of the lines , either double blue or the cracked ice. At that time I knew the owners of Silver Fox and got a lot of "gifts". I used the same on Huron and Georgian Bay for years as well. Haven't done much of it the last few years but hope to change that!

A boat is a hole in the water you pour money into.
  ;D

GregL: Not Using a FishHawk is equivalent to going Ice Fishing without a Flasher, if you get what I mean.
I have been out with guides on Lake Ontario both for salmon and lakers.
The info that is there for you is very significant. Temps at depth, Ball speed as compared to surface speed.
There is a lot to be gleaned out of one of these units.
You won't be disappointed in spending the money, once you master the functionality of the FishHawk.
Check You Tube for Videos, my learning directory.
Lots and lots of good information there.

Thanks all!! Great info!

A fish hawk will probably come next year, If I do it this year the finance department will kill me HAHAHA!

Here is my plan to re-enforce the gunnels for the down riggers. I didn't want to have anything on top of the decks because we often stand on them to cast and net fish.

I plan on trimming the aluminum to match the profile of the Traxtech bracket and paint it black. This has reduced the flex probably at least by 50%. I think it might good now
because at least all the force is not all on the gunnels now but I have a few ideas to make it stronger. 

If your curious the holes close to the bottom bend were because even though I had 2 - 2 X 10 pieces bolted to hold the part flat while bending the first piece was sliding as it bent
and was twisting. So I lag bolted the aluminum down to a piece of a 4x4 I had lying around LOL! This let me bend it without getting that twist as it bent.

As a fun test I'm going to try re-hardening the aluminum bracket today. If that doesn't work a friend will weld a second piece to the inside that should stiff it up enough to prevent
any flexing.


It sucks not having a TIG welder. I could have done the entire job in an hour if I was just welding and not bending this 1/4 inch aluminum!

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