Shock Absorption on the Troll: The Critical Role of Downrigger Snubbers

In the world of controlled-depth trolling, the downrigger is king. This ingenious device allows anglers to present a lure at a precise, repeatable depth, targeting fish that would otherwise be unreachable. The system, in its basic form, is a model of efficiency: a heavy cannonball weight, a thin steel cable, and a release clip. Yet, it is within this simple, strong system that a significant problem arises—shock. The solution is a small, often overlooked, but critically important component: the downrigger snubber.

This detailed article explores the function of downrigger snubbers, outlining why they are needed and presenting the compelling arguments for and against their use in your trolling setup.

The Problem: The Unyielding Nature of a Trolling System

To understand the need for a snubber, one must first appreciate the immense and unforgiving forces at play during trolling. A downrigger system is comprised of components that, by design, have virtually no stretch or give.

The Steel Cable: The wire or braided line connecting the cannonball to the downrigger spool is designed for strength and thinness to cut through the water. It has almost zero elasticity.
The Downrigger Boom: This is a rigid arm, typically made of aluminum or stainless steel, built to withstand the heavy load of the cannonball.
The Boat and Mount: The downrigger is bolted to the gunwale of the boat, a solid, unmoving point.

When your boat moves through the water, especially in anything but perfectly calm conditions, this rigid system is subjected to constant, violent stress. Every wave the boat crests and crashes over, every sharp turn, and every sudden change in trolling speed sends a shockwave through the system. The heavy cannonball lurches, and because the steel cable cannot stretch, that instantaneous jolt is transferred directly up the line to the boom tip, through the downrigger itself, and into the boat’s frame. This creates several significant problems that a snubber is designed to solve.

The Case For Using a Downrigger Snubber

A downrigger snubber is, in essence, a purpose-built shock absorber. Typically constructed from high-quality, UV-resistant rubber or urethane, it is attached between the end of the downrigger cable and the cannonball. Its simple function—to stretch and compress—provides a host of benefits that can protect your gear, improve your fishing success, and make for a more pleasant experience on the water.

1. Protection of Your Downrigger Equipment

This is arguably the most important reason to use a snubber. The constant, jarring shock transferred up a bare cable puts immense strain on your entire downrigger assembly.

Boom Stress: The boom takes the brunt of this force. Over time, these repeated shocks can lead to stress fractures in the metal, particularly at welds and pivot points. A catastrophic boom failure is a real possibility under heavy use without a snubber.
Internal Components: The shock doesn’t stop at the boom. It travels into the downrigger’s clutch, gears, and spool, accelerating wear and tear on these critical internal parts.
Gunwale and Mount Integrity: The force is ultimately transferred to the boat itself. This can cause the downrigger mount to loosen over time, stress the boat’s gunwale, and in extreme cases, lead to gelcoat or fiberglass damage. A snubber acts as the first line of defense, absorbing the majority of this shock before it can ever reach your expensive equipment. It is a small, sacrificial piece of gear that protects a much larger investment.

2. Prevention of False Releases

For any troller, the “false release” is a moment of pure frustration. This occurs when the shock of the cannonball jerking causes the fishing line to pop out of the release clip prematurely. The angler, unaware of the release, may continue trolling for minutes or even hours, dragging a lure at an unknown and ineffective depth. The telltale sign is the frustrating ritual of reeling in a line only to find the lure has been uselessly swimming near the surface.

By smoothing out the ride of the cannonball, a snubber dramatically reduces the sudden jerks that cause false releases. It keeps the lure at the intended depth and ensures the only thing that pops the line from the clip is the strike of a fish. This directly translates to more time fishing effectively and, ultimately, more fish in the boat.

3. Enhanced Lure Presentation

Fish are highly attuned to unnatural movements. A cannonball that is jerking and surging through the water imparts that same erratic action to the lure trailing behind it. While some erratic action can be a strike trigger, the violent, non-rhythmic motion caused by wave shock is often detrimental, making a lure appear unnatural and unappealing.

A snubber allows the cannonball, and by extension your lure, to track more smoothly and naturally through the water. It creates a more fluid swimming action that is far more enticing to predatory fish, leading to more confident strikes.

4. Reduced Cable Stress and Vibration

A taut steel cable under load acts like a giant guitar string. As it cuts through the water, it can begin to vibrate and hum. This underwater noise can be off-putting to wary fish, especially in clear water. Furthermore, the constant shock loading on the cable itself can cause it to fatigue, leading to premature fraying, kinking, and failure.

The snubber dampens these vibrations, creating a stealthier underwater profile. It also absorbs the sharpest shocks, extending the usable life of your downrigger cable, saving you the time and expense of re-spooling.

The Case Against Using a Downrigger Snubber

While the benefits are compelling, some anglers, particularly seasoned veterans, choose not to use snubbers. Their reasoning is based on a few specific counterarguments.

1. Reduced Feedback and “Feel”

The primary argument against a snubber is that it introduces a “mushy” or dampened feeling into the system. An angler running a bare cable can feel the cannonball’s every move. They can use the angle of the cable and the tension—a concept known as “blowback”—to get a very precise feel for the cannonball’s true depth and how it’s tracking. A snubber, by its very nature, absorbs some of this tactile feedback, which some anglers find disconcerting. They prefer the direct, rigid connection and are willing to manage the risks to maintain that feel.

2. An Additional Point of Failure

Any time a new component is added to a system, it represents one more potential point of failure. A low-quality, old, or sun-rotted snubber can break. If it does, the result is the instant loss of your cannonball and any attached terminal hardware. Proponents of the bare-cable approach argue that the direct connection from cable to cannonball is simpler and stronger. However, this risk can be almost entirely mitigated by using high-quality snubbers and inspecting them for cracks or fatigue at the start of each season.

Conclusion: An Essential Piece of Insurance

When weighing the pros and cons, the verdict for the vast majority of anglers is clear. The downrigger snubber is not a gimmick; it is an essential piece of equipment that offers far more benefits than drawbacks.

You should absolutely use a downrigger snubber if you:

Fish in large bodies of water prone to waves and chop.
Use heavy cannonballs (10 pounds or more).
Want to protect your investment in downriggers, mounts, and even the boat itself.
Have ever been frustrated by false releases.
Want to ensure the most natural and effective lure presentation.

You might consider not using a snubber if you fish exclusively on small, protected bodies of water with no wave action, use extremely light weights, and prioritize direct tactile feedback above all else.

For a minimal cost, a downrigger snubber provides invaluable insurance. It protects hundreds or thousands of dollars in gear, increases your fishing efficiency, and may very well be the difference between a day of frustration and a successful day on the water. It is a small component that punches well above its weight, absorbing the chaos of the troll so you can focus on the fish.