Lake Champlain United - Forums

Never got the chase to operate my Fish HawkX4 that came with the boat. Questions are:

1. Those of you using the Fish Hawk do you use a Snubbber/shock cord? If so where? What size/how long? The 10 lb ball at the end,then the 60 lb test "Break-a-way" lead supplied with the Fish Hawk,then the Snubbber/shock cord, then the down-rigger cable clip, then the Release for fish line? That's a long tall totem pole.
Just trying to get all my ducks in a row correctly. LOL
Thanks
Speedy

i never have used a snubber running 12-16 lb weights,nor have i seen anyone using a snubber on their probe,but im sure that there is someone out there that has tried it.i do know if you change the distance fromthe ball to the probe you will get different speed readings,dont know why,but it does happen.screwed with alot of people when they did away with the break away cables and went to the bunch of snap swivels tied together for a break away which is shorter than the cables,assuming it has something to do with turbulence off the ball???

I've noticed different speeds with a loaded rod compared to a free swimming ball. Sometimes it makes my head hurt, lol

From the bottom….ball, breakaway, probe, any blades you may be running then the release at the top. I do use a snubber between ball and break away to space the ball from the probe more than the new short break away’s. I find better speed readings keeping the ball and probe atleast 10” apart…

Hope this helps.

Reelax wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:31 pm From the bottom….ball, breakaway, probe, any blades you may be running then the release at the top. I do use a snubber between ball and break away to space the ball from the probe more than the new short break away’s. I find better speed readings keeping the ball and probe atleast 10” apart…

Hope this helps.

Never thought about this but it make sense.

Thanks Guys. I have one 5 1/2 inch new in package and was wondering if it is the correct size.

Last year while on a shake-down cruise in Lake Memphremagog in 25 ft depth, flat bottom, I had my ball set at 18ft. The rigger let loose (free-wheeled) and dropped the ball and spun the boat around. I killed the motor and backed up but the spool blew off most of the wire. Had to hand wind the mess. All fixed, but was lucky I didn't have the Fish Hawk X$ down. So snubbers can be used along with the Fish Hawk as insurance. Thanks again
Speedy

Wallyandre (Andre) wrote: ↑Wed Dec 04, 2024 1:54 pm

Reelax wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:31 pm From the bottom….ball, breakaway, probe, any blades you may be running then the release at the top. I do use a snubber between ball and break away to space the ball from the probe more than the new short break away’s. I find better speed readings keeping the ball and probe atleast 10” apart…

Hope this helps.

Never thought about this but it make sense.

One addition. I typically don’t run blades on the probe rigger due to the turbulence it causes around the probe..