03-11-2020, 08:30 PM
(03-11-2020, 06:55 PM)dubob Wrote: A2F, manual DRs are okay and do the job. But I would HIGHLY recommend that you investigate using a device called a Shuttle Hawk (Mack's Lures). Here is a link to a youtube video that shows you what it is and how to use it.
The video shows using it for a stacked line above your DR weight line. What I am suggesting is that you use it without stacking - let it go all the way down to the DR weight depth. When you get a strike, the fishing line releases from the Shuttle Hawk and the Shuttle Hawk returns to the surface while you catch the fish. After the fish is caught, just reattach the line to the Shuttle Hawk and send it back down. You will completly eliminate the need to hand crank your DR weight all the way up and all the way back down with each fish caught. Send it down once when you start and bring it back up when you're done for the day. Also, I use Off Shore releases (White) for all my DR fishing. And you can adjust the DR weight depth up or down with little effort and no line releases while doing so.
Well those Shuttle Hawks just look like a game-changer for manual downrigging! It looks like they will avoid the juggling act of dropping the downrigger weight at the same time you are trying to control the line going off your reel. Drop the downrigger first, get that set up, then let out the line on the shuttle hawk. I like it! Now I just need to go find a couple of them and learn how to use them as the releases on that video look a little tricky. You mentioned you use offshore releases. Any specific brand? Any reason why?
I do have one question on these. With the regular downrigger setup you usually tighten up the line pretty good, with a heavy bend in your rod, so you get the snap when it releases. How does that work with the Shuttle Hawk as I would think reeling it in tighter would just start bringing the shuttle back up your downrigger line. Thoughts?
Also, theoretically it sounds like you could drop the downrigger down to a deep depth for macs, but have the stopper and shuttle hawk up shallower for kokes. Any problems with this other than the stopper on the rigger line that would prevent you from bringing the ball all the way up until the stopper is removed?
Thanks again for the tip!