downrigger

American  

[doun-rig-er] / ˈdaʊnˌrɪg ər /

noun

1. a fishing line used in trolling that is attached to a weighted cable in order to put lures or bait at a specific depth under a boat, usually near the floor.

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Example Sentences

When I’m fishing three anglers, I’ll put two twelve pound downrigger balls near the deck from each side of the boat, and drop the third rod out the back to mid-depth.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2017

Learn when and how to locate king salmon in the South Sound, and top methods like mooching, jigging and downrigger fishing.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2012

It took only 15 minutes of trolling in front of Shilshole Bay before the first rod popped off the downrigger, and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ball landed a nice pink salmon.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2011

It felt as if the fishing line had somehow wrapped around the main downrigger top shot.

From Time Magazine Archive

When this happens, it is not unusual for the fishing line to part if it brushes against a downrigger cable.

From Time Magazine Archive