Seeing SWR in numerous great lakes fishing threads, I was wondering what does SWR mean and more importantly, is this something I should be doing or trying.
In the context of great lakes fishing, SWR stands for Secret Weapon Rig and refers to using lead core line with a downrigger. You let out the bait followed by the lead core line and then attach the downrigger release to the backing line behind the lead core. While any amount of lead core can be used, most people seem to use two colors of lead core with their downrigger setup. Being this seems to be a stealthy and productive rig, let’s look into how and we can set up a pole to run and SWR rig.
Why SWR Rigs work
Simply put, SWR rigs work because they add a bit of stealth to your presentation delivered by the tantalizing flow of lead core deep into the water column. Getting your baits down to where the fish are, requires a bunch of ‘stuff’ in the water. Downrigger weights, dipsy divers, along with any flasher fly combinations going through the water all cause disruptions.
No doubt this stuff will attract fish, especially aggressive salmon, however fish are not always aggressively feeding. The stealthy presentation of an SWR below all that action can entice those fish that may be curious by not ‘on’.
In my rookie season, we put our first ever king in the boat on an SWR rig. This style of presentation has the ability to put smiles on faces!
How to set up an SWR rig
There really isn’t any special setup required, beyond setting up a reel with lead core line on it.
For me, in true weekend warrior fashion, trying to use what I have and keep things versatile (only beginning my collection of equipment), I have an Abu Garcia 6500 that I keep two colors of lead core on. Behind the lead core I have 50lb power pro backer. If my math is correct, this gives me just short of 1000 feet of line.
I can then use this reel in the spring for trolling coho rigs behind boards, and in the summer I can again use that reel on the down rigger as an SWR rig.
When to use an SWR rig
The best time to use an SWR rig is when you need some stealth deep in the water – generally daylight hours. King salmon will generally be more aggressive or ‘on’ in low light conditions which means they are less likely to shy away from all the stuff. During daylight though when the sun is high in the sky (roughly 8AM – 5PM), when they may be curious but not as aggressive, seeing an easy meal behind all the action in the water can trigger bites.
Because I can rarely get my first mates up in time to make it to the lake before sun up, I generally start with one SWR rig. This will put my spoon back further and about 10 feet down below all the other stuff in the water.
What lures to use
Really any lure that you would normally fish with lead core line can be used with an SWR – though something to keep in mind, is that this is more of a stealth presentation. In my own experience, trying different baits, I like either a spoon or a Brad’s cut plug without a flasher. Based on all the reports and reading around the internet, this seems to fall pretty much in line with other boats.
Alternative setups for SWR
Some alternatives to a traditional SWR rig may include using copper line instead of lead core. Copper line, being a heavier line, will again cause the lure to sink down below the downrigger weight. Some reports have claimed to have success with this tactic.
You could also try snap weights on a longer leader from the downrigger weight. This will also cause the lure to drop below the downrigger weight. I use a similar tactic with some of my boards that are running lead core to get the line deeper in the summer months.
The down side to this is that you have the extra weight on the line and will have to take it off before getting the fish to the boat. But if you’re hooking up on fish, it might be worth it!
Once, for fun, I did try deploying an SWR rig behind a dipsy diver – it wasn’t fun though and something I wouldn’t recommend. Thinking about this in the spread that I was trolling, it would be more prone to tangles if or when you turn your boat. The dipsy is taking the line to the side, but the lead core line is going to drop straight down and would have a higher likelihood of ‘catching’ a downrigger line that is below the dipsy. Maybe, if you didn’t have downriggers, and the dipsy was on 0 or 1 setting as the lowest line.