Another downrigger question!

[boating bobber]

I'm looking to add downriggers since taking the kokanee class and I'm wondering if you need to have swivel bases on the downriggers? I'm curious to see peoples answers. I don't believe this question has been answered on the previous posts.
Thanks,
Bob

[Keta]

I've had them for years but they are not needed.

[grumman16]

I have them and like them, but Ithink its more important to have them placed in an accessible spot. You might also look into getting the weight retrievers that scotty makes.

[Keta]

Originally Posted by grumman16

I. You might also look into getting the weight retrievers that scotty makes.

I have those too and think they are needed.

[crawdad]

You don't have to have them, but they are pretty darn nice to have. If $ is the issue you can always add them later. They are a bit spendy, but they come in handy.

Plenty of fish re caught each year without them though.

[SilverBullets]

The swivel bases are a great feature for getting the downrigger out of the way if you want to switch to jigging.

[moknots]

Not neccessary, totally wonderful.

[twisted lines]

I am curious how one pulls up to the dock without them take the rigger off? Almost as necessary as the plug in the back of the boat.

[Jedcraft]

Scottys will tilt up with a locking lever. The swivels are nice but not required for kokanee. But for salmon almost necessary to swing out of the way to net/play fish.

[skeetshtr]

My Scotty 1060s came with a square slide in mount. I just turn the downrigger around when not in use or docking or trailering. Swivel bases would be sweet but theres not enough room in my small boat.

[Cannon]

Swivel bases are nice. But in saying that, they are not absolutely necessary. If you don't have swivel bases you will either have to mount the rigger over the stern or have them be removable otherwise they will be sticking out from the side of your boat.

[Hookachinook]

I have both fixed bases and swivel bases. The swivel bases allow for more flexibility in use as discussed on this forum. I run a fixed base off the side railing that runs straight out; I have a swivel base on the transom and I can change the angle of the rigger boom to avoid tangling the two riggers, ie. an example of flexibility. I'd say if $ is not a major issue, I'd pop for the swivel base.

[Hookachinook]

Originally Posted by boating bobber

I'm looking to add downriggers since taking the kokanee class and I'm wondering if you need to have swivel bases on the downriggers? I'm curious to see peoples answers. I don't believe this question has been answered on the previous posts.
Thanks,
Bob

Hey Boat bobber, where did you take a kokanee class?

[Doc_Rhen]

Had fixed base on my manuals and it was easy enough to pull them off when I needed them out of the way, my new Cannon electrics came with a swivel base and it is a very nice feature but like anything else if it wasn't there I would learn to adapt.

[boating bobber]

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas guys. It is all appreciated. I think I'll go for the swivel bases. You've confirmed my ideas. It's only money! That was an expensive class, a new fishfinder and downriggers and we haven't even counted tackle yet.
Thanks again,
Bob

[eric71m]

I have some really old Manuel Luhr Jensen down riggers... swivels are not needed, they have a square base, i just slide them out, rotate, and slide back in when docking or trailering. Mine are in pretty sad shape, so if any of you old timers are willing to give and old one up for parts, man, that sure would be aprreciated.

[twisted lines]

Originally Posted by boating bobber

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas guys. It is all appreciated. I think I'll go for the swivel bases. You've confirmed my ideas. It's only money! That was an expensive class, a new fishfinder and downriggers and we haven't even counted tackle yet.
Thanks again,
Bob

Don't count the tackle only the boxes

[eric71m]

Originally Posted by twisted lines

Don't count the tackle only the boxes