My downriggers are only a year old, purchased them brand new. When should I start thinking about changing the cable? How often do you change yours?

Had one that I changed the cable on after 8 years. THe other has 5 year old cable. If it shows wear, or becomes too short, change it.

I clip a few inches off the cable and redo the ends every year. Reduces the number of cannon balls that make it just above the surface and then take a plunge into Davey Jones`s locker.

Kinks in a cable are bad news. Instant snap ola.

I changed my wire every few years before. Last year I went to the 250lb Power Pro and have yet to experience similar issues. The first 15-20ft would pop a strand and I'd just cut off that section; depending on how many lines from lost crab pots encountered. No such problem with the newer generation braid.

I've hauled up to four pots at a time towards shallow water. I couldn't crank them up with my manual 'riggers, just used the thrust of my kicker to drag 'em up towards the beach. If the bouys are not to compressed to read the contact information I'll attempt to contact the owners.

Anyway, no matter what type of cable used, just keep an eye out for frays. Cut off that section, once it starts to wear.

It also depends on what kind of wire is on your downrigger. If it's Scotty wire you should probably change it after ONE season because it is cheap CRAP! Rust, frays, kinks... you name it! I am speaking from experience.

The wire on my brand new 1106's crapped out after one year. I switched to Cannon wire and haven't had a single issue since. I had Cannon wire on my old Penn manuals that I had for 10 years too. I also know how to take care of downrigger cables.

I'm gonna switch to Spectra braid cables at some point. Anybody have an opinion on them?

They seem to be a bit thicker in diameter for similar strength, creating a bit more drag.... but otherwise they work well, don't sing, kink, or fray. they also keep you from sending any electrical charge down near your gear, good or bad.

I have the Scotty braid on one of mine. Other than discoloration and a bit more drag, it runs fine down to 150 feet. 2 years so far and no issues. Penn cable is also good.

I have two Scotty manuals.
I use Mason SS cable to replace the Scotty factory cable and and it works just fine.

Thanks for reminder~ I got a nice fray @ 60 ft on Port side rigger!
Thats the reason why i got skunked last Saturday! I swear.

Lofty

I change up when there becomes to many kinks to risk the obvious.Usually every 3-4 years.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Whats a downrigger?

I inspect mine and that tells me when to change it. I agree on the Scotty, it is crap. I have only lost one cannon ball, but unfortunately that was in a tournament, but fortuneately I carry spare wire and was able to get it going again, but I lost time to fish doing it.

I have broken off quite a few downrigger balls over the last several years, mainly due to submerged commercial crab pots. I put new line on all of my 4 downriggers last year. All with Scotty cable. I put them on the boat the other day to test them and all have rusty wire now.

I was thinking back when I used to use Mason wire. I never had this problem. I wonder with the price of raw materials if all DR cables have dropped in quality? I have not run mason's in quite a few years. Maybe I should switch back or go to the dacron?

Mason wire has worked well for me in the past. I keep a spare roll on the boat (because I have it) in a zip lock bag with some dessicant packs.

I put the Scotty braid on one downrigger a couple of years ago and am finding that i like it a lot. I'll be switching the second downrigger to the braid this year.

As mentioned above, it is a little larger diameter than 150# cable, but is so much easier to work with.