You might try setting the brake on your down rigger to a lighter setting. I hang the ball off the side of my boat and pull down on the ball with 25ish pounds of force while I adjust the tension nut on top of the spool. I loosen it until I can pull line out by hand. That way when you hook up on the bottom you will spool line out instead of snapping it off. I get my ball back at least 90 % of the time if I hook bottom now.Ps. If you’re dragging bottom at Fairfax in 120’ watch out for both of my cannon balls I left there for ya!
You might try setting the brake on your down rigger to a lighter setting. I hang the ball off the side of my boat and pull down on the ball with 25ish pounds of force while I adjust the tension nut on top of the spool. I loosen it until I can pull line out by hand. That way when you hook up on the bottom you will spool line out instead of snapping it off. I get my ball back at least 90 % of the time if I hook bottom now.
I’ll take you up on that! ThanksI can help you get your riggers set up like mine if you want, Stizzla. I got hung up on a crab trap yesterday fishing solo and didnt lose any gear! Also didnt land any keepers but there are lots of unders out there.