What is the best manual downrigger, will be using it only during the summer in saltwater.

Thanks,
BEn

My vote goes for Scotty's. I have two of the Longarm's. Never a problem and they have a lifetime warrenty. I took them over to Auburn Sports and just had the brakes checked, adjusted and just a general cleaning they did all for no charge. This will be the 5th season for them.
Tight lines, Jeff
PS, If ya get the rigger's buy a black box to. It's worth the money.

Salmonhead, what is the black box for? I also am looking at buying a couple of downriggers this summer, I have looked at Scotty's and was told Cannon or Penn was the best. Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks

Doubletake

Fellows,
I guess it depends on what ya like in a rigger. From what I saw when I bought them the Cannon manuals (and they may have changed by now) only retrieved 1 ft per crank as to the 2 ft per crank of the Scotty's. Big difference over a day's worth of fishing. That was just one reason. The guys I fish with all own Scotty's. Like I said they have never given me a problem. I guess go and check them all out and see which one you perfer. As for the black box, it is what is called ion control. Salmon are sensitive to electrical current, this happens naturaly when you run the downrigger as the difference in the nobility between the rigger stainless steel wire and the zinc's on your boat causes a weak battery action. Control it and you will catch more fish. Go to www.scotty.com/scotty_blackbox.htm, they have a whole tech section on how it works. It would take a three page post to try to describe it. Hope this helps out.
Tight lines, Jeff
PS,
Doubletake, How do you like your new boat. A Thunderjet wasn't it???

[This message has been edited by salmonhead (edited 06-24-2000).]

[This message has been edited by salmonhead (edited 06-24-2000).]

Salmonhead, Thanks for the information. I have not used downriggers or owned them before, I appreciate your help.

It is a Thunderjet (19') and I love it. It is a lot different from the 16' Alaskan that I owned. A lot more room, handles almost as well as my Alaskan did, and rides great. My wife feels a lot safer with the higher sides and the extra room. It runs the river great. If I have one complaint it would be when the boat is at an idle that the 175 Sportjet smokes a little more than I expected. Maybe it needs a little more time to get broke in? Don't get me wrong though, that motor so far has good power and is relatively quiet, (especially compared to my outboard on my old boat) of course that could have to do with the age: new vs. old.

Again, thanks for your help. Take care.

Sincerely, Doubletake

You guys should really consider getting electric downriggers. When a fish hits you have your hands full clearing gear and watching boat traffic. Who needs to crank a 'rigger on top of all that? Scotty electrics are the top rig no question. I own Penn electrics (no longer available) Scottys and a Cannon (on different boats) and the Scottys are my favorite. Black Box YES ! Good Luck.

[This message has been edited by TJN (edited 06-25-2000).]

If I was to do it again and could afford the electric's I would go that way. Yes it can be quite the circus in the boat when you get a nice fish on and are trying to get all of the gear out of the way.
Tight lines, Jeff

The comment came up (while I have been trying to decide on downriggers) that if I got electric downriggers and they quit working there wouldn't be any way to retrieve my gear. If the electric part quits working is there a manual backup to retrieve your cable and ball? Thanks for all the input!

Doubletake

I hate to sound like an old fart (I'm not 40 yet...) but I've been using downriggers on at least fifty trips a year for the past 17 seasons. In all that time I have never (knock on wood) had an electric fail. I'm sure someone out there has but I have done my maintenance homework and have been fortunate. Scotty electrics have a manual crank handle for use in emergencys and are the best electric available as well as the least expensive! Good Luck!

I have a Scotty manual downrigger that I have successfully used for trout in numerous lakes over the past years. There I have had good success on Kokes and Trout, but when trying for Salmon(Buoy 10) it is another story. My luck (and confidence) is zero and when we see others all around hooking up, it isn't long before the lead goes back on the line.
Any suggestions as to how far behind the ball to run the bait or lure, with or without a flasher? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or help.

------------------
B

If you have the black box keep the gear within 10 ft of the ball. Without it run it at least 25 ft back. One thing you might do is to check your grounding system, battery switch (if you have two batteries) etc. Follow the link I posted above to scotty, the tech section will explain how to do the checks. You might be blowing off the fish.
Tight lines, Jeff

I've got an article coming out in the next STS that details many 'rigger fishing tips. Suffice it to say if you are not using flashers with your downrigger you're missing the boat... Good Luck!

Thanks for all the help gentlemen! Take care and God bless you.

Sincerely,

Doubletake

Many Thanks also

------------------
B