which electric downriggers to buy.

greenbuttskunk · 03-09-2004, 10:38 AM

I've been saving all my coins to buy electric riggers. I've used them all in the past, most recently scotty's. I like that the scotty has an adjustable boom, anyone have pros and cons of the differnt brands they can share with me.
Thanks,
GBS

Killertraylor · 03-09-2004, 10:48 AM

I've got 2 Scotty electrics, one with the adjustable boom and one fixed. They both work great, easy to install too. I haven't used the cannon electrics, but when I asked this same question a few years ago, everyone recommended the Scotty's. I think they have a lifetime warranty too.

FallRiverGuy · 03-09-2004, 12:02 PM

Just make sure you spring for the swivel base when you get the Scotty's.

[ 03-09-2004, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: FallRiverGuy ]

ET · 03-09-2004, 12:08 PM

I just sold my Cannon Mag10s to buy Scotty 1101s. IMO for the money, Scotty's are the only way to go. If money was no object though, I would buy Cannon Mag20s or better.

Abalone · 03-09-2004, 01:20 PM

The thread leads me to ask this question ?

Where do fish that you need an Electric Downrigger ?

We used them up in Canada and they were a prerequesit to fishing in the Fishing lanes for Salmon.
The Tyee were anywhere from 150 to 250 ft. Down. I was so nice just to hit the switch.

I have often wondered if fishing is the same off of the Oregon coast.

Well of course it is but everybody seems Zipperlipped about it.
I would like to know how to fish the deep for Chinooks. Anyone got any suggestions ?

Maybe I 'll buy me a Scotty ?

crabbait · 03-09-2004, 01:26 PM

People are zipperlipped about Oregon ocean salmon fishing? :shocked:

Wander over to the Salty Dogs forum and see if you don't get answers to nicely asked ocean fishing questions. Betcha do.

By the way, Scotty's and the swivel bases are sweeeeet!

Rusty · 03-09-2004, 02:34 PM

What part of SCOTTY don't you understand? There is no choice when it comes to price, reliability, and service.

SCOTTY X 10

Rusty

rockn'reel · 03-09-2004, 03:15 PM

Scotty d.r. are the best in my opinion. I have installed many different brands and they are excellent. All are basically lifetime warranties. They are all sturdy, scotty's can tilt up when not in use (without buying the base), and scotty's also use less draw on the batteries with any different weight you use. I also like the ele connectors they use over the other types. Also, IF they stop working you can pull them up manually with the crank that is located inside the housing. the cam brake is also excellent--if you lose control it turns itself on and stops the weight from dropping too far--other brands you have to turn off or they just keep dropping. The cam can also be set to release after a certain amount of pressure is excerted on the line. In case you get hooked on the bottom they will let the wire release instead of ripping the D.R. off the side of your boat. Any way you go you should be very happy with them. Just make sure you get the right one to set on your boat no matter what the brand. Good luck!

snit · 03-09-2004, 03:17 PM

Yep...Scotty's with the swivels are awesome. Mine get used ALOT in the Columbia, and they've been bullet proof!

cabo · 03-09-2004, 03:26 PM

Hey Greenbuttskunk,

Just curious why electric and not hand crank. I am looking to buy my first DR's also and some have suggested that hand for Columbia is faster and easier to use----personally I do not know. Have you used them both?

metalhead madness · 03-09-2004, 04:10 PM

Nothin easier than flippin a switch and the weight is automatically retrieved :grin: . My money went to Scotty's pro pack with swivel bases. Don't leave home without em. Heres mine locked and loaded @ Crescent Lake last July.

Pirate · 03-09-2004, 04:58 PM

I have manual Scotty's, but if I were looking at electric, I would look closely at Penn. Only because they have power decend. Even a Scotty has to be manually sent down. My $.02

greenbuttskunk · 03-09-2004, 05:12 PM

why electrics you say? When I get into kokanee thick, it's nuts to try and fight fish, land fish, steer, and crank up a rigger. Plus ocean fishing deep for nooks, just fight, flip a switch and they are cleared and out of the way.
Scotty is will be be. Found them cheap searching the net. Gotta love it!
Thanks guys for all the import.
GBS

ET · 03-09-2004, 05:17 PM

Why use electricity to drop a 12lb ball? I used the electric down on my Cannons but, I think Scotty got the design right with their easy to use clutch system.

[ 03-09-2004, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: ET ]

wootersen · 03-09-2004, 05:21 PM

Brad,
Make sure and check fishermans before you buy on the net. I think they were on sale when I was there earlier today. Not sure though, but worth a phone call.

greenbuttskunk · 03-09-2004, 11:02 PM

thanks Killer,
I do like the lifetime warranty.

03-09-2004, 11:24 PM

With electric I would only use Scotties.
Cannon makes a good hand powered downriggers that I like as well or a bit better than my Scottie hand ones.

K sled · 03-09-2004, 11:28 PM

I have a pair Cannon's ele. downriggers with telescopic booms.One has digi-troll on it which makes it nice when your fishing alone.They have lifetime warranty.I have had mine since 86 no problems.

hookumhi · 03-09-2004, 11:33 PM

I have the scotty pro pak and I am very happy with them.

greenbuttskunk · 03-09-2004, 11:35 PM

I'm leaning towards scotty. Cannons just seem more sturdy, at least in the housings.

ET · 03-11-2004, 12:58 PM

SteelieDog, Why do you think the Penns are best? I know Cannons and Scottys but I've never used Penns. What makes them better?

Fish4Fun · 03-11-2004, 02:00 PM

The best downriggers by far are the Scotty electrics. Faster retrieve speed with less amp draw. Check the Penn and Cannon for the amount of power they use and the retrieve speed. Then you will see why Scottys are favored.

Abalone · 03-11-2004, 11:02 PM

Well of course it is but everybody seems Zipperlipped about it.
I would like to know how to fish the deep for Chinooks. Anyone got any suggestions ?

"everybody seems Zipperlipped"

What I meant by this statement Is: I have had conversations in the past, Verbaly not on Ifish,
With folks that are either Commercials or local fisherman that I know fish for Feeders and they all seemed reluctant to reveal their Secrets. This was especially true in Canada. The last time I was
at Winter Harbour I got a local to explain to me what was meant by the fishing lanes.

I told him, " You Canadians do all you can to lure us up here and spend our money on Tackle but when it comes to where to fish no one knows anything "

And to this he replied " Sonny, if you want to catch the big ones you have to go out Six miles and fish the Fishing lanes" To which I replied " How Deep" The man said " I told you all you need to know"

I learned later that the commercial fleets fish Six miles off coast and 250 feet down.

I have had similar conversations locally and no one seems to want to give out info.

I have received several nice replies from people on another post I made on the Salty Dogs and I am very greatful. Now I 'll have to same up for a Downrigger.

SteelieDog · 03-11-2004, 11:16 PM

I think the PENN electrics are by far the best out there. A little more $$ but worth it!

polywave · 04-10-2008, 04:10 AM

I called Penn to discuss the un-availability of their new 835 downriggers. Their response was "Penn has been purchased and the new owners are not interested in the electric downrigger market".

I was transfered to their repair department where I was informed "the new circuit boards are a crap shoot. If one works, it works very well. If not, it won't work at all" I was also informed that although the 825 circuit boards can be repaired if they fail, the 835 circuit boards are coated differently and cannot be repaired. A new board is $200 USD. Of course, the new board would be a crap shoot too.

I was advised by the service department to "....look at another downrigger manufacturer".

weekender · 04-10-2008, 06:19 AM

I'm highly confident that at least 50% if not 75% of the "scotty lovers" haven't fished with the Cannon 15's or 20's...

ScottyG · 04-10-2008, 11:19 AM

Scotty's kick butt. They are also the best out there for running multiple lines on one downrigger.

KillerBeee · 04-10-2008, 11:49 AM

I and all my friends have been very happy with the Scottys!

fish-on-bend · 04-10-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weekender

I'm highly confident that at least 50% if not 75% of the "scotty lovers" haven't fished with the Cannon 15's or 20's...

Even the Cannon Mag 5 HS is a better bet. The new Cannons (starting in 2007) are now faster than the Scotty's, have built in positive ion control (no need for black box) auto ball stop at the water surface, and beefier booms to handle 20 lb balls. Scotty used to be THE name in electrics but Cannon has passed them. I have an old Cannon and a new one. Day and night difference. This one is like arguing Ford and Chevy, but don't buy 1 without checking out the other.

FINZ · 04-10-2008, 12:00 PM

I bought a pair of Scotty 1106 last year. I have yet to try them thanks to a torn up knee last fall. Was hoping to try them out for Early nooks in the ocean this year but that's not happening either. I'll use them eventually.

finz

FINZ · 04-10-2008, 02:25 PM

Here is a pair of cannon's for sale in the I-FISH boat Classifieds

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=192696

Poindexter · 04-10-2008, 07:25 PM

I've got Cannon Mag 20's and LOVE 'em. I've fished with Scotty's, and they're nice too, just liked the Cannons better, personal preference.

pastorfish · 04-10-2008, 07:53 PM

Use Scotty's. They have good network of service distributors should somehting go wrong. HQ in Victoria so there's a northwest connection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by polywave

I called Penn to discuss the un-availability of their new 835 downriggers. Their response was "Penn has been purchased and the new owners are not interested in the electric downrigger market".

I was transfered to their repair department where I was informed "the new circuit boards are a crap shoot. If one works, it works very well. If not, it won't work at all" I was also informed that although the 825 circuit boards can be repaired if they fail, the 835 circuit boards are coated differently and cannot be repaired. A new board is $200 USD. Of course, the new board would be a crap shoot too.

I was advised by the service department to "....look at another downrigger manufacturer".

BARCHASER · 04-11-2008, 07:27 PM

I've used Penn manuals since I moved to Seattle in 1980. No problem with the Penns but I finally decided to go electric and got a new Scotty 1106 for Christmas. Worked well so far, I've used it 8-9 times for Blackmouth.

A local sporting goods store I use often does mail order and has an on going sale on Scottys, 1106/$429, 1101/$395 and 1099/$299. His prices were cheaper a few months ago but price went up due, probably, to the falling US buck.

If you want the link send me a PM.