Looking for some Downrigger advice

You will have that without the buoyancy of water I used to run riggers a lot till my buddy sold his boat and we would never leave the weight on the booms for that reason  I believe we used 10 lb weights if I remember right..  

What are 10 lb. pancakes?  Do you have a photo or link that I could see one WW?  Thanks.

I do have a 10 lb. ball with a metal fin on the back of it that was given to me.....would you recommend something sleaker that rides in the water more aerodynamically?

Thanks for the help guys!
 
Another thing I was wondering...I have my downrigger rods set up with 30lb. super braid.  I researched the lines and most reports talked about mono line with downrigging.  Can you use the braids as well or are they not as effective?  I was going to use so many feet of mono leader to the baits I use. 
 
And are flashers or dodgers effective for walleyes or not recommended or needed?
 
Thanks!

I'm sure you can use braided, but would not recommend it. Mono gives you that stretch to absorb a high impact strike. Depending on what type of dow**** releases you use the braid may not work in the ones with the rubber pads well. I personally like the Black's release and Walker releases. If your only going to fish for walleye I would use a mono of 14 Ib test or so. I've had real good luck with Andes or Silver Thread. If your going for Steelies use 17- 20 Ib test. Just remember to have the drag on your reels set as light as you can while they're set. You can order either one out of Bass Pro and they aren't expensive. Good luck!!!

I would probably stay away from the braided lines for rigger fishing, expecially for walley.  Because of the zero stretch factor it has a tendency to rip a big hole in a walleye mouth, especially with the added stress of the moving boat.  Also,  when rigger fishing for eyes, run your bait back away from the ball a good amount and don't be afraid to pop the rigger regularly to check for draggers.  A ten pound walleye will hit a rigger bait and swim right along with the boat. 
good luck,
Josh

If you see a school or near a school ,pop a rod to bring your lure up through the fish. Have caught many fish by doing this. They react to the lure moving up . Impart your zigzag trolling. Be careful not to tangle your lines . Do it with slow turns.

Thanks for all of the advice guys!
 
The braid I have is Andes 30# and the diameter is equivalent to 10 or 12 lb. mono.  I'll give it a try since my reels are already spooled with it.  If I run into any problems, I'll change it.
 
I purchased two Okuma reels with line counters and still need to match them up with rods.  Any suggestions on rod actions and lengths would be appreciated as well.  I was thinking 9'ish Med to Med/H action so I could use them for muskie trolling as well.
 
Thanks.

I like the Shimano TDRs and Tritons. 8 ft, medium action.

Brad as always when dealing with water there is a pull back from the rigger.  The pancakes are alot more slender so they do not drift back near as much as the typical cannon ball.  No they do not stear.  Id imagine that if the rear tail bent one way they would. however, i have not experienced this....
 
To be very honest i have not used my riggers seriously in about 2 years. They used to produce alot more fish, and dipsys just work so good... I occasionally do put them on for a few trips when i have more people aboard, but for the most part i think they get in the way...lol...we call them 700dollar rod holders....
 
As far as using braided line for walleyes.....thats why reels have drags.  Using braid for eyes has alot to do with how you set your drags not only when fighting the fish, but on the initial strike itself.  A tight drag on the initial strike could cause the fish to not hook up but that is the case for mono as well. However i have caught many walleyes with plugs just burried in their faces.. Braided line also allows you to reach greater depth on deep diving plugs and is also essential for dipsy divers.
 
All of my rods aside from 2 mono lines for riggers and 2 leadcore rods are spooled with 30lb power pro...I pull plugs off boards with them on a regular basis and have excellent results for walleyes with braided line directly to the fish.  On dipsys however i do use a snubber on the back side of the dipsy...