The Downrigger Line Dilemma: Braided Line vs. Stainless Steel Cable

For the dedicated trolling angler, the downrigger is an indispensable tool, a gateway to the deep, temperature-controlled zones where trophy fish lurk. It offers unparalleled depth control, allowing for the precise placement of lures. At the heart of this system is the line connecting the reel to the cannonball—a component that has seen significant debate and evolution over the years. The choice between traditional stainless steel cable and modern braided superlines is a critical one, with each material offering a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. This detailed guide will explore the properties, performance, and practical considerations of both options to help you make the best choice for your fishing style.

The Original: Tried-and-True Stainless Steel Cable

For decades, stainless steel cable was the only option for downriggers, and it remains a popular and reliable choice for many anglers today. Typically made from 304-grade stainless steel, this twisted wire cable is known for its sheer toughness and durability.

The Advantages of Stainless Steel Cable:

Exceptional Durability: Stainless steel cable is highly resistant to abrasion and can withstand years of use and abuse. It can handle accidental contact with rocks, propellers, and other underwater obstacles far better than braided line.
Ease of Use: Cable is relatively stiff, making it less prone to tangles on the spool or when setting lines. It’s also easy to attach to cannonballs using standard crimps and swivels, a familiar process for most anglers.
The “Hum” Factor: As it moves through the water, stainless steel cable produces a distinct humming or vibrating sound. There are two schools of thought on this: some seasoned anglers swear this hum acts as a fish attractant, drawing curious salmon and trout in for a closer look at the lure spread.
Cost-Effective: Generally, a spool of stainless steel downrigger cable is less expensive upfront than a high-quality braided equivalent.

The Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Cable:

Significant Blowback: This is the single biggest drawback of steel cable. Due to its larger diameter and texture, it creates significant drag in the water. This drag causes the cannonball to be pushed back and up from its true vertical position, a phenomenon known as “blowback.” At deep depths or higher trolling speeds, your 100-foot counter reading might mean your cannonball is actually only 80 feet down and 50 feet behind the boat. This makes precise lure placement a challenge.
Potential for Kinks: While durable, steel cable can be permanently damaged by kinking. A bad kink creates a weak spot that can lead to a lost cannonball and release clip.
Maintenance Requirements: To prevent rust and corrosion, especially in saltwater, steel cable requires regular rinsing with fresh water and periodic inspection for broken strands or “meathooks” that can easily cut hands.
Electrical Charge (The Black Box Theory): Some theories suggest that downrigger cables can carry a slight electrical charge from the boat’s zinc anodes and electrical system. This has led to the development of “black box” technology designed to control this voltage, as an unnatural charge could potentially repel fish.

The Modern Challenger: High-Performance Braided Line

The advent of braided superlines, made from materials like Spectra and Dyneema, has revolutionized many aspects of fishing, and downrigging is no exception. These high-strength, thin-diameter lines offer a compelling alternative to traditional cable.

The Advantages of Braided Line:

Minimal Blowback: This is the primary reason anglers switch to braid. Its incredibly thin diameter for its strength (150-200 lb test braid can be as thin as 30 lb monofilament) cuts through the water with minimal resistance. This means your cannonball runs much closer to true vertical, giving you far more accurate depth placement and a better understanding of where your lures are.
Silence and Stealth: Braid is completely silent as it moves through the water. For anglers who believe the cable “hum” spooks wary fish, this is a major advantage, allowing for a stealthier presentation.
No Kinks or Rust: Braided line will not kink, rust, or develop dangerous “meathooks” like steel cable. It also doesn’t hold an electrical charge, eliminating the need to consider a black box.
Increased Spool Capacity: Due to its thin diameter, you can often fit more line on your downrigger spool, which can be an advantage when fishing in extremely deep water.

The Disadvantages of Braided Line:

Lower Abrasion Resistance: Braid’s biggest weakness is its susceptibility to being cut. Contact with sharp rocks, zebra mussels, or a boat propeller will likely sever the line, resulting in the loss of your entire setup.
Rigging Complexity: Attaching braid to a downrigger ball requires specific knots and techniques to ensure it doesn’t slip. A common and effective method is to use a large, high-quality stainless steel coastlock swivel. The braid is tied to the fixed ring of the swivel using a strong knot like a Palomar or Uni knot, and the snap end is clipped to the cannonball. Some anglers also add a rubber snubber in-line to absorb shock.
Can “Flea” Up: Over time, the line can become fuzzy or develop “fleas” from the constant friction of the pulley wheels and retrieve process. While this is often just cosmetic, it requires regular inspection.
Handling and Safety: A 150-pound test braided line under extreme tension can be dangerous. It can easily cut through skin if it wraps around a finger during a snag. Gloves should always be worn when handling a snagged braid downrigger line.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Stainless Steel Cable	Braided Line
Blowback/Drag	High	Very Low
Depth Accuracy	Poor, requires compensation	Excellent, nearly vertical
Noise	Produces a “hum”	Silent
Durability	High abrasion resistance	Low abrasion resistance
Kinking	Prone to permanent kinks	Will not kink
Maintenance	Requires freshwater rinse, rust inspection	Inspect for frays, re-tie knots
Rigging	Simple crimps and swivels	Requires specific, strong knots
Safety	“Meathooks” can cut hands	Can cut deeply under tension
Cost	Lower upfront cost	Higher upfront cost

Which Should You Choose?

The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities as an angler:

Choose Stainless Steel Cable if: You are a budget-conscious angler, you frequently fish in areas with sharp, rocky bottoms or other underwater hazards, or you subscribe to the theory that the cable’s hum attracts fish. It is a reliable, workhorse option that has caught fish for generations.
Choose Braided Line if: Your primary goal is precision depth control. If you are a technical troller who wants to know exactly where your lures are running in the water column, the minimal blowback of braid is a game-changer. It is the superior choice for deep-water applications and for those who believe a stealthy, silent approach is best.

Regardless of your choice, proper maintenance and regular inspection are key to preventing the loss of expensive downrigger equipment. By understanding the distinct characteristics of both stainless steel cable and braided line, you can confidently spool up your downriggers and get back to what matters most: fishing the deep with precision and confidence.

The Downrigger Line Dilemma: Choosing Between Traditional Stainless Steel Cable and Modern Braided Line

For the serious troller, the downrigger is the ultimate tool for precise depth control, allowing anglers to place their lures exactly where the fish are. It’s a simple yet ingenious device, but the connection between the downrigger and the heavy cannonball weight is a critical component that directly impacts performance, maintenance, and safety. For decades, the standard has been stainless steel cable, a reliable and robust choice. However, the rise of modern superlines has introduced a compelling alternative: heavy-pound-test braided line.

The choice is no longer automatic. Each material comes with a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. Is the time-tested tradition of steel the right choice, or do the technological advancements of braid warrant a switch? This detailed guide will walk you through every aspect of this critical decision, empowering you to spool up your downriggers with the material best suited for your fishing style.

The Standard Bearer: The Case for Stainless Steel Cable

Walk down any marina dock, and you’ll find the vast majority of downriggers spooled with stainless steel cable. It’s the original, the workhorse, and for many anglers, it remains the go-to choice for several compelling reasons.

The Advantages of Steel Cable:

Extreme Durability: Stainless steel is incredibly tough. It stands up well to the nicks, scuffs, and abrasion that can occur when weights occasionally drag along the bottom or bump against the boat.
Proven Reliability: It’s a known quantity. Anglers have trusted steel cable for generations. Its properties are well-understood, and the methods for rigging and repair are standardized.
Ease of Termination: Rigging a cannonball to steel cable is straightforward using crimps and swivels, a skill easily learned and executed with basic tools.

The Disadvantages and Dangers of Steel Cable:

Significant Blowback: This is the primary performance drawback. The larger diameter and textured surface of the twisted cable create significant drag in the water. This causes the downrigger ball to trail back at an angle, known as blowback. At deeper depths or faster trolling speeds, a counter reading of 100 feet might mean your weight is only at a true depth of 85 feet, compromising depth accuracy.
The “Hum” and Electrolysis: When trolling, steel cable vibrates, creating an audible “hum” that travels through the water. The debate on whether this hum attracts or spooks fish is endless. Some Great Lakes salmon anglers swear by it as an attractant, while many ocean and freshwater anglers believe it spooks wary fish. Furthermore, the cable can carry a positive electrical charge from the boat into the water, a phenomenon known as electrolysis, which many believe repels fish. This has led to an entire market of “black box” devices designed to control this voltage.
Kinking and “Meathooks”: Cable is prone to kinking if not handled carefully. A kink creates a weak spot that can lead to failure. More dangerously, as the cable wears, individual strands can break, creating sharp, needle-like wires often called “meathooks.” These can easily inflict painful and deep cuts on unsuspecting hands.
Maintenance and Rust: Despite being “stainless,” the cable is not entirely immune to corrosion, especially in saltwater environments. It requires regular freshwater rinses and inspection for rust and broken strands.

The Modern Challenger: The Advantages of Braided Line

Utilizing the same technology found in modern fishing lines, downrigger braid is typically a high-pound-test (150-250 lb) microfilament line. Anglers who make the switch often become fervent converts, citing a host of performance benefits.

The Advantages of Braided Line:

Minimal Blowback: This is braid’s greatest advantage. Its incredibly thin diameter for its strength and its smoother surface allow it to slice through the water with far less resistance than cable. This results in significantly less blowback, meaning the depth on your counter is much closer to the true depth of your weight. This allows for more precise lure presentation and the ability to use lighter weights to reach the same depths.
Stealth and Silence: Braid is completely silent in the water. It eliminates the hum associated with cable, offering a more stealthy approach that is crucial for spooky or line-shy fish. It also completely eliminates the issue of electrolysis, as it is non-conductive.
Ease of Handling: Braid is supple and doesn’t kink. It’s easier on the hands (though can still cause a friction burn if grabbed at high speed) and far more forgiving to spool.
Longevity: High-quality downrigger braid is impervious to rust and highly resistant to UV degradation, offering a very long service life if properly maintained.

The Disadvantages of Braided Line:

Rigging Nuances: You cannot use crimps on braided line. It requires specific knots or terminal connection kits to securely attach the downrigger ball. While not difficult, it is a different process than rigging cable.
Abrasion Resistance: While tough, braid is a bundle of fine fibers. A significant scrape against a sharp rock or reef could potentially sever the line more easily than steel cable. To combat this, many anglers will rig a heavier, more abrasion-resistant leader of monofilament or cordage for the last few feet of the line.
Potential for Dig-in: If not spooled under sufficient tension, the fine diameter of braid can “dig in” to the underlying wraps on the spool, causing a jam.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Stainless Steel Cable	Braided Line	The Verdict
Blowback	High	Very Low	Braid is the clear winner for depth accuracy.
Stealth	Noisy (hums), creates electrical field	Silent, no electrolysis	Braid offers a much stealthier presentation.
Durability	High abrasion resistance, but kinks and rusts	Excellent longevity, no kinks or rust, but susceptible to sharp cuts	Tie. Depends on the primary hazard: abrasion or long-term wear.
Maintenance	Requires regular rinsing, inspection for “meathooks” and rust	Requires rinsing, occasional re-tying of terminal knot	Braid is generally lower maintenance.
Rigging	Simple crimps and swivels	Requires specific knots and terminal tackle	Cable is slightly more straightforward for beginners.
Safety	“Meathooks” pose a significant cutting hazard	Low risk of cuts, but friction burns are possible	Braid is significantly safer for day-to-day handling.

Practical Rigging and Final Considerations

Rigging Stainless Steel Cable: This typically involves creating a loop at the terminal end using a crimping sleeve. A thimble is often placed inside the loop to prevent chafing. This loop is then attached to a heavy-duty coastlock swivel, which in turn clips to the downrigger ball. A rubber snubber is highly recommended between the swivel and the ball to absorb shock.

Rigging Braided Line: The most common method is to use a large, high-quality coastlock swivel and attach the braid using a strong, reliable knot like a 10-20 turn Uni Knot or a Palomar Knot. It is crucial to test your knots thoroughly. Some manufacturers, like Scotty, also provide terminal fastening kits specifically designed for their braided line. Adding a 5-10 foot section of heavier monofilament or tuna cord at the end can provide extra abrasion resistance and a thicker section for release clips to grab onto.

Making Your Choice

For the Casual Angler: If you fish shallower waters (<100 feet) and are on a tighter budget, traditional stainless steel cable is a perfectly adequate and reliable choice. Its durability provides peace of mind.
For the Serious Troller: If you demand precision, fish in deep water, target line-shy species, or simply want the latest in performance, the switch to high-quality downrigger braid is one of the best upgrades you can make. The reduction in blowback and the increase in stealth can make a significant difference in your catch rate.

Ultimately, the line on your downrigger is a vital link in your trolling system. By understanding the distinct characteristics of both stainless steel cable and modern braided line, you can make an informed decision that enhances your efficiency, confidence, and success on the water.