Downrigger trolling fishing is built around a little “miracle machine” called a downrigger. The downrigger consists of an arm with a spool of wireline at the end of which a 3 – 7 kilo lead weight is placed. In addition, there is a handle which is used to lower the wire line with the lead weight over the side of the boat or to reel the wire up. A small counter displays the depth at which the lead weight is located.
The battle is underway!
The line from the reel is mounted on a special line clip on the wireline. This is fine-tuned to release the line when a fish bites, but the line is not released by the resistance and pressures of water currents. The downrigger and lead weight combined with the line clip make it possible to get a spoon or wobbler to fish at the desired depth. Then one trolls around the fjord or bay, or further out to sea, at a speed of 2 – 6 knots, pulling the spoons or wobblers at the desired depth. Then you just have to wait! The key is to track down the prey fish which in turn attract the salmon and sea trout. Suddenly, a fish takes the bait. A cod, salmon or sea trout has been hooked. The battle is underway!
In addition to the special downrigger, specialised trolling rods of a sturdy construction provided with a baitcaster wheel with a good and even brake and able to hold at least 200 metres of 0.30-0.45mm nylon line are used. Especially silver and golden jigs of 7-20cm have proved particularly effective, but the black and shiny silvery colours of the sea trout and salmon are also excellent. The same applies to the colours of herring and sand eels. Also wobblers of size 7-20cm may be very effective during certain periods of the year.
Head out to sea yourself
There are ramps in the small harbours all over Denmark so that boats towed on trailers can be set in the water for a nominal fee. Certain places hire out boats, however, only a few of them are rigged up for trolling. Contact the local tourist offices to obtain more detailed information concerning fishing possibilities. You can also visit local tackle dealers. As a rule, they are helpful when it comes to offering information about the season’s best fishing tactics, what tackle is required and which fishing locations are worth visiting.
According to Danish law, it is a requirement that one approved life-vest per person sailing in a small boat or skiff is stowed aboard each vessel. The Danish Ministry of Fisheries has adopted the following set of regulations for trolling: Across the entire country, trolling from a boat is forbidden within 100 m of the coast’s low-water line. When trolling, a distance of at least 75 metres must be maintained from fixed fishing tackle such as nets. These are clearly marked by commercial fishermen.
Trolling regulations
Please also note that special trolling regulations may be implemented locally for specific areas. Use only the ramps in harbours along the coast which are specifically intended for launching skiffs or boats from trailers. This affects the environment as little as possible. All fishing from small boats at sea requires a valid fishing license according to Danish law. Read more on fishing licenses.
Author: Peter Steensen