Down rigger question?

tracer16 · 02-03-2009, 07:41 PM

I am looking at getting 2 down riggers for my boat to do a little kokanee fishin and had a few questions. #1 what to get cannon or scotty (what models), #2 how much cable should i have on the spool, and #3how big of weight should i get? Any help on this would be appreciated. Thank you

fish-on-bend · 02-04-2009, 04:45 AM

Do you want electrics or manuals? The old rule of thumb was Cannon manuals are better and Scotty electrics are better. The new Cannon electrics are now faster than the Scotty's and have an auto-stop feature when raising them. No little stoppers in the cable like the Scotty's require. Both are fine products, I've owned Cannons for years and prefer them. I have 2 electrics, a newer mag5hs and an older mini-mag. Basically this question is like arguing Ford vs Chevy, I'm sure others will chime in here for Scottys.
When it comes to cable lengths, most come pre-spooled with anywhere from 150-250 feet. That should be plenty. As for weights, a 6 or 8 is fine for most kokanee depths.

Two Fister · 02-04-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracer16

I am looking at getting 2 down riggers for my boat to do a little kokanee fishin and had a few questions. #1 what to get cannon or scotty (what models), #2 how much cable should i have on the spool, and #3how big of weight should i get? Any help on this would be appreciated. Thank you

tracer16,
The search feature is your friend here. There have been lots and lots of discussions on the topic. I've always had Scottys and loved them. No matter which way you go, give the electrics a long hard look. It sure is nice to push a button to clear the cables when you have a fish on instead of having to reel up a cannonball from 100 feet with one hand while fighting your fish with the other and running the kicker with your knee or butt.
TF

dirty bird · 02-04-2009, 08:10 AM

You can't go wrong with Scotty or Cannon. Electrics are nice but the manuals will work fine.

joemomma · 02-04-2009, 08:58 AM

I had a 73 kokanee day on odell in about 4hrs with 3 pole's about 8 yrs ago with manuals, my arms still hurt! Now I know this is a freak thing, especially for me

But I own scotty electric's and would never ever go back

honker1 · 02-04-2009, 09:22 AM

I have a Scotty electric and am very glad I got the electric model. If I had the manuel model I wouldn't be checking my rig as often and line trips without a hookup would really tick me off. Also it's really great to just push a button to get the downrigger up, and you can pay attention to playing the fish. One less thing to worry about in the firedrill.
I am using a 10 lb weight because it pulls the line down faster, straighter, and the retrieve isn't any differant then a 6 lb weight. I have 250' of downrigger line and never have used more then 200' in the 3 years of use.
The whole thing is connected to my RV battery and have fished for 5 days and didn't have to charge the battery. Have to agree with Two Fister, do a seach and you will be ready to make a decision based on your application.

dirty bird · 02-04-2009, 12:02 PM

In reference to manual downriggers. Shasta Tackle makes a Shuttle Hawk that slides down your downrigger cable so you only have to set the ball once. I have caught a ton of fish on the way down. I do own an electric Scotty and would never go back but this is another option. It depends on how much you want to invest.

FallRiverGuy · 02-04-2009, 12:17 PM

I think it depends on how much you will use the downrigger, where you fish and who you fish with. With kids and a place like Wickiup where the bottom changes often and fast, electrics are a must IMHO. Crescent or Paulina where it stays deep and there is time to raise the cable manuals work fine. The shuttle hawk, if you like them, saves you from rasing and lowering the manual downrigger. It also depends on your budget, but once you go electric you'll never go back to manual.

8 lbs is a good weight for Kokanee.

fish-on-bend · 02-04-2009, 12:22 PM

.........as for the Shuttle Hawk. I can never really be sure that it goes all the way down to the bead. Also, if you leave that cable down every time you get a fish on you will eventually wrap your line on it and break the fish off. And I guarentee it will be on the largest fish of your life.

dirty bird · 02-04-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish-on-bend

.........as for the Shuttle Hawk. I can never really be sure that it goes all the way down to the bead. Also, if you leave that cable down every time you get a fish on you will eventually wrap your line on it and break the fish off. And I guarentee it will be on the largest fish of your life.

We are talking kokanee, right? You must catch alot bigger ones than me. You are right about not knowing if it's all the way down. It's a little fickle.

Klamanite · 02-04-2009, 12:53 PM

I can track them on my finder, but not all models will do that. I have had the same experience/doubt with them. It takes a lot of pressure to make them go dowm past about 30-35 feet. I will only use them on smaller fish kokes/stockers etc.

tracer16 · 02-04-2009, 04:30 PM

Thank you all for the input, I think I'm gunna go with the electric. Hope to see you all out there some time.

high desert · 02-04-2009, 04:34 PM

I had this same question about 2 years ago and I ended up buying 2 Cannon Unitroll's that are manual. I really regret buying manual downriggers. I wish I would have spent the extra money and got electric. When fishing deep for Kokanee, or anything else for that matter, they are a huge pain. When you use weights that are heavier than about 6 lbs it is very difficult to control the descent. I think you lose a lot of fishing time messing around with the manuals.

The only reason that I didn't go electric at the time was because the salesman told me you could buy electric upgrades to add on at a later time. I found out after the fact when I wanted to upgrade that they were no longer available.

I have also tried the shuttle hawk and I was not impressed. I would not recommend it.

adobe wall · 02-05-2009, 09:36 PM

Walker Strike Cam. Electric downrigger convenience and the fun of watching the fish ignore your gear!

The vids really are a hoot....I hope to have a walker sometime but until then I'll still fish with plastic downriggers and a cobbled together aqua-vu camera!

regards, aw

joemomma · 02-09-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adobe wall

Walker Strike Cam. Electric downrigger convenience and the fun of watching the fish ignore your gear!

The vids really are a hoot....I hope to have a walker sometime but until then I'll still fish with plastic downriggers and a cobbled together aqua-vu camera!

regards, aw

AW, we live for your kokanee movies!

jzell · 02-09-2009, 11:06 AM

Dual Scotty electrics in the Zell's boat. 8 lb weight.

Going to pancake weights this year.

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't Cannons have one speed down?
Unlike Scotty's, which you can control the speed of decent.

jz

ps.....If anybody wants my current 8 lb DR weights (round ones) they are FREE to a good home. You just gotta pick them up from me....east side PDX.

Kokonuts · 02-09-2009, 12:58 PM

Round, Pancake, & the fish shape. I see that Cabelas has a fish for $30. Has anyone tried them?

Waterfish · 02-09-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzell

Dual Scotty electrics in the Zell's boat. 8 lb weight.

Going to pancake weights this year.

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't Cannons have one speed down?
Unlike Scotty's, which you can control the speed of decent.

jz

ps.....If anybody wants my current 8 lb DR weights (round ones) they are FREE to a good home. You just gotta pick them up from me....east side PDX.

I switched to 15 lb pancakes for my Scotty electrics, and I like them. When trolling for macs at 3.0 mph at depths of 100 feet or deeper, there is less blowback with the pancakes. England Marine sells them for $33.00. One disadvantage to pancakes is that if the fins aren't set just right, they won't track straight, which could lead to getting tangled up with the other downrigger cable during turns. I put a slight bend on the fins so that they track towards the outside. So far, never have tangled them!