My question is this:

When somebody tells me, "yeah, went trolling for blackmouth and caught em at 120 feet..."

What does that REALLY mean... does that mean that their downrigger was set at 120 feet? because if that was true, the angle of the line really places the trolling depth at around 110 feet or so....

So...when we're talking trolling depths, are we talking the settings on the downrigger or what?

Thanks

Rookie Fisher, the depth refered to depends on what type of fishing. Motor mooching without a downrigger or jigging, would usually be the depth your lure/bait is located per your "depth sounder"
I'm a jigger and fish 90 to 120 feet. I am constantly re-familiarizing my jig to bottom. So when I say they are hitting at 95 feet, line angle is not a factor because I fish just a few reel winds off the bottom, regardless of the angle. If someone tells you that they are hitting at 45' in a known bottom area of 90', using a downrigger, they are probably giving you the numbers off their downrigger. If they are open about telling you, I'm sure they would articulate.

There is a formula that I used (key word used) to know that would figure out what your true depth was, it will all depend on the swayback (line angle) of the downrigger wire. What I try to do when blackmouth fishing is to keep the downrigger ball within 10' to 15' of the bottom, whatever that may be. I will bounch it off of the bottom on the first set and continue to check it that way if the bottom conture is flat, or re-adjust if it changes. Hope this helps ya out.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff
PS,
If anyone remembers the formula would you please post it.

------------------
"Never be afraid to try something new."

Remember, amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.