Hi everyone, I have been using twin manual Scotty Downriggers for the last 10 years and finally ordered my first Scotty Electric (1100) from an outfit out of Canada. Strangely, I have never fished using an electric before. I know life is going to get much easier especially since I go out alone allot. The thought of just pushing a button to hoist up that lead ball instead of trying to play a fish while winding up that manual Downrigger is just too much to bear. I feel very confident that it won't take much to learn how to use it but are there any subtle hints that I should know about basic electric downrigger use?

You will love the electric and it will take you about 2 minutes to get used to it. You will never be able to go back to manual. My only advice; Read your instruction manual. Select a convenient, out-of-the way spot for the plug-in connector. My friend placed his in the open and we always seem to inadvertantly disconnect it while we are fishing. Also, you will want to keep it disconnected when not in use to reduce the chance of corrosion in the connector. Enjoy.

The only thing helpfull i can think of is to make sure you put a stopper above any stacker clips you put on. Sometimes you forget to stop the DR before it comes up while in the heat of the moment. This can damage the stacker, cable and motor. And don't forget the inline fuse. And bring a cresent wrench with you.

Put the female plug somewhere hidden to reduce the amount of saltwater that gets to it. I would also fill both connections with 5200 or some other marine sealant ( at least vaseline). I have done that with mine and the plugs last a lot longer without corrosion.

I had a problem with the plastic dealy that triggers the stop switch sliding down the cable. This makes the ball ram into the pulley and blows the fuse. So I have crimped a sleeve onto the cable above the dealy to keep it from sliding down. Works good.

But you will find that the owner's manual wont do you much good. It is written entirely in CANADIAN!

Thanks alot guys. Good information that I will certainly employ. I can see that the plug location is important to keep it out of the way and to hide it from the salt water. I also had been given advise to buy and install multiple stops in case one falls off to prevent the ball from ramming up into the arm pulley. So, thanks again

Run the stops back to back. I run 4 stops on my ball. I have two of them set together so the ball stops while still in the water so it is not swinging around when in rough water and another set of stops so the ball stops about 2 inches below the pulley. These are also used as backup stops. I have noticed that if the is a lot of garbage in the water the stops will sometimes slide through undetected, (I have lost balls this way). You can also by a pulley from Scotty that will not allow the cable to jump off track. The stock pulley on the end of the boom is next to worthless. Any slack given to the cable and it is instantly wedges itself between the bolt and the pulley.

The multiple stacked stoppers is the advice I hear the most from friends and this board. Next is keeping the female plug out of the way of water and impact. Also to fill it with a protective lube.
I was amazed at how easy it was to install the Electric onto my existing Scotty swivel base. I just removed the Manual Downrigger at the fixed mount by removing the pivet axil and installed the new DR on top of it. Good to have common parts between all the Scotty models!
Next is to get some wire, a fuse and install the plug onto the boat.
I live up in Bellingham and can't wait for the Blackmouth season to start. Anybody out there that lives up in the Bellingham area with or without a boat get in touch with me about fishing updates and trading fish stories.

Good information here..Couple things to add.
1. Carry extra fuses, because your shut-off stoppers will eventually slide down and the rubber stopper and ball will come up to the pulley and you'll end up blowing a fuse.
2. Carry a pack of extra plastic shut-off stops..They sometimes fall off or break.
3. I always carry a Scotty downrigger Terminal Kit. It has a coastlock snap, 3 brass connector sleeves, 1 soft stop bumper and a stainless steel thimble. This is used to repair the end of the cable that connects to the lead ball.
4. The last thing to consider is how you clean the downrigger when finished fishing. I've noticed if I spray them down with water, then the next time I go fishing, the brakes don't seem to work like they should. After 3-4 hours of fishing and they dry out, they work just fine.
I think the manual says to rinse lightly with water....maybe I'm using too much.
I just lightly rinse and dry with a towel now.
good luck.

Great advice from all! I guess the word is that I will love it but be prepared to have a ball banging up into the pulley if I haven't taken extra precautions to prevent. Keep extra parts around such as fuses, stops, crimps, balls and snaps that go to the ball. Blackmouth up in the San Juans will be fun come Feb 1st!