No, this isn't a GWB bash---------

Does anyone know where you can buy 15# cast iron downrigger balls??

Are they more or less expensive than lead? Thanks...........

I have no idea where to buy them, but they will be quite a bit more expensive, bigger, and messier than lead, since they'll rust.

If you are handy, you can make your own out of bismuth -- it is nontoxic, melts at a lower temp than lead, is almost as heavy as lead, and not super expensive. There is a specialty metals shop in south Seattle that sells bismuth.

Just think
with cast iron, you would have the biggest balls of them all

I bought mine at walmart on 164th. Was lookin for them for a while. Was in walmart for something else. Couldn't believe it. Worth a shot.

I think boater's world in bellevue. Give them a call first just to be sure.

I bought mine at narrows tackle two years ago. I wanted the pro troll ones and that is where I found them. They are not much larger than a lead ball. I little rust from banging the bottom. Nothing a shot of paint wont cure. The pro troll weights have a handle that acts as a rutter in the water. A bit more expensive I think they were just under $30.00 bucks a piece.

Ok, I have to ask, why would you want a ball that is larger in actual size then the equivalant lead weight and costs more money, am I missing something. 1 other thought, what about electrysis, wouldn't a chunk of cast iron generate a stronger/larger electrical field then lead, seems to me like it would.

It's all to complicated, I'm going to stick to mooching

Cast iron is supposed to be better for the environment if you lose it.

Outdoor Emporium in Seattle has them also. The advantage of iron weights, I'm told, is that they are less "grabby" on rocky bottoms than lead so you are less likely to lose our gear if you bounce the bottom occasionaly. We all know how much lead weights like to stick to rocks when drifting rivers.

Lead is insoluble in water, fresh or salt, so the only way it can do any harm is if it is ingested.

couldn't a guy use old window sash weights?

You could also use big rocks---- over time lead balls have proven to be the best.

we use to use railroad spikes and those break away deals. Pretty weird walking down the dock with a bucket of BIG nails

Narrow's Marina should have them... They we be about $5 more than lead. If

Narrow's Marina should have them... They we be about $5 more than lead. If they don't have them, they will special order at no extra cost.

Make sure to buy a few extra so you have them on hand...

Don't use them for fishing deeper than normal-blow back will kill you..

You could probably get away with a window sash, but they don't offer much more than probably 8 pounds. I used them for meatlining back in the day.

To break connectivity, I use 36-42 inches of parachute cord between 300# barrel swivel.. Much cheaper than that piece of junk green gel cord...

Lead wont disolve in water. A downrigger ball cant be eaten. Its just a very heavy rock as far a the environment is concerned.

Okay, here's the deal.. I read a piece by Salmon University and they said (as DL explained) that lead is sticky when it hits some bottoms, whereas cast iron bounces. They also said that an elongated weight with fin and a front hook on was good because the weight would tip backwards when hitting something.. And as someone stated, paint it or dip in that plastic stuff to combat the rust.

Some of you have attended their classes haven't you... If the guru 'Downrigger' uses them, I'm for it.. Parachute cord is good...

What is "blowback"??

Thanks for the comments.... no wonder there's no B/M around,, you dudes have nailed them all

DR....I have been using parachute cord for years and I am glad to see someone else doing so. Makes so much sense..so easy to grab and lift out of the water . Halibut clip releases don't slide on it... line doesn't twist..As far as lead vs iron...I have used 15# lead for some time and haven't had the "theoretical" problems I read about. Englunds in Westport or Astoria is a good source when you're in the neighborhood.

"Blowback" is the angle at which the ball runs, due to its drag in the water. If your cable is running at a 20-degree angle, your offering is higher than the depth indicated by the counter, so you have to let out more cable, then you have a bit more drag, and more blowback, etc., etc. The more dense and streamlined your ball is, the less blowback you have. I guess the ideal would be a Uranium weight in the shape of a submarine. That oughtta cost about $500

Parachute makes a lot of sense.. I can get a better read on the booms when bouncing the bottom and it doesn't fray like wire will from the trolling snap. There's other "benies" like grabing the line...

I use the cast iron weights in rocky areas (Gig Harbor area) where I don't have to fish too deep (no more than 120'). All other areas I stick to the standard lead ball..