This is my first year fishing for stripers, I've had luck with eels off CBBT while anchored. However, I haven't had any luck trolling. I have tried stretch lures, umbrella rigs, Storms, bucktails. Not even a hit. I am using Mono 50# line, I intend on switching to braided line. I think my problem is getting to the depth of the fish, I cannot tell how deep the rigs are when I am trolling.

Has anybody tried downriggers? I was thinking of buying one off of E-bay but wanted to check to see anybody has tried them out here first. I think it would be easier to control the depth of your rigs, especially for a newbie like me.

Mojo's are the key to getting you down. Do you need advice on how to rig them?

With the umbrella rigs are you using an inline, if so what size? Or what size trailing bait?

Using a 12oz weight inline with umbrella, using eight 4" chart gulps with a 6" chart trailer. Isn't a mojo rig similar to a fishfinder rig? Do you think I need a heavier weight?

A mojo is basically a huge bucktail jig (up to 48 ounces) that you use as a lure and a weight. We typically tie a 32 ounce mojo to a 5 foot leader of 80 lb. test and attach it to a 3 way swivel. On the second eye we run a 10-20 ft. leader of 80 lb and attach a 9 inch Storm lure, Tomic, or big spoon. The third eye gets tied to your rod's line. You want to run that rig deep- right off the bottom. They do work and are a lot easier to reel in than umbrellas. We run 2 mojo rods off the back and an umbrella off each side. I'm going to try downriggers as soon as I can get down there, but it is a new thing for me too. Hopefully someone out there will give both of us some tips on using them.

The only thing I would be concerned with Downriggers is potentially snaging something. I know I have lost a few mojos to the bottom and I would guess that if you snag a downrigger you could have a big problem since I think you drop them using a steel cable so you would be hard pressed to cut it off if you are unable to get it loose. Also the cost would probably be more then a lost mojo. The Baymouth and coastal area has a ton of stuff on the bottom which could cause you problems. Just my 2 cents.

I don't think downriggers are necessary for rockfish. I think you will find them to be more of a pain than a good thing. Like everyone else said use mojos or more weight. 50# test has a lot of drag thru the water. Braid, wireline, or a smaller diameter mono will help.

Thankyou everyone for the info about mojo's, I'll have to check out a tackle shop and see what I can find.

Yes, with 50# mono you probably need more weight.

control your speed 3k or even slower, sometimes take her out of gear and let the bait sink. Use wire and braid mark fish and you should catch