Downrigger release Question

[Uintaman]

I have not found, or don't know how to use down rigger release that will release when it should, and not release when it shouldn't.

Someone suggested a Scotty?

Been using a Cannon Universal Line release, with an adjustment. Claims form 2 to 22 lbs. Either wouldn't release, or released on weight drop.

Or is this just part of the fun that goes with downrigging?
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[DKStroutfitter]

I like the Du Bro adjustable clips.
You will want to adjust the tension to where it is a little bit hard to snap the line into the release.
As use use the downrigger you will find out if the tension is good or needs to be adjusted. Turn the screw about 1/4 turn per adjustment until you get it just right.

When you change line diameter, you will have to readjust the tension again.
As you use the downriggers more you will get the feel for it.

I have tried Off Shore and Scotty and I still prefer the Du Bro over them.
I don't like pre set pressure clips. With them, I would have the same problems that you are experiencing.
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[Lundman]

There is a lot of varying opinions on the available options but this is what I use and it is consistent and works very well. My Scotty downriggers cam with the very large releases and I have tried quite a few. None are easy to adjust to every type of fishing but I now have the solution: http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies...rod5390872

Rigging Instructions from someone else post (hyjacked it) : First, get a big bag of rubberbands...put your line out to the desired distance you want behind the boat. Grab the fishing line and put the rubber band in place. This is real simple to do, but kinda tough to describe in words...here goes. Wrap the rubberband around the fishing line and bring one end of the rubber band through the open end of the rubber band on the other side of the line... like doing a loop to loop connection, only you dont need a loop in the fishing line. The rubber band will snug down on the fishing line, then hook the rubber band to the clip on the downrigger....viola.. troll away and when a fish bites, if it is big enough, it snaps the rubber band.
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[TheScout]

I'm not much of a fan of the cannon releases. Scotty has been my preference of clips, although I have not tried the above mentioned Du Bro clips (they sound like I need to get one). I also prefer the smaller semi-adjustable clips over the bigger scotty clips. Less drag (blowback) in my opinion.

You can definitely spend some time adjusting and getting the right amount of pressure to get the release to act just how you like it, but nothing is more frustrating than letting down 50' and putting a little bend in your rod just to have it pop out of the release. Especially frustrating if you have hand cranks. It's not too bad with electrics but still takes away from time spent fishing.

I tend to end up putting my line farther in the clip and having a little more tension on it as to avoid premature release. You still notice when you have a fish...that being said, it sure is fun to watch the rod pop out of the release with a fish on!!!
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[Theekillerbee]

I've used a bunch of different releases, and found that some are better than others, but none of them stack up to the [url "http://www.downriggerrelease.com/"]Northern Strike Chamberlain[/url] releases. You can adjust tension from the rod end, AND the lure end. So you can set the rod end really tight, but have a little fish be able to release the clip. There is a little fidgeting to do before you get the right action from it, but once you get it setup, it is golden! They are similar to the Black's (which are also pretty darn good), but have the second area of adjustability which makes them the proverbial bees knees!
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[submoa]

When you say releases on time, what do you mean? I don't want mine to release until I take it off of the down rigger myself with Kokanee. I lose way to many fish if the kokanee take it off themselves. If a big mac hits it, its coming off for sure.
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[submoa]

I use Shimano taloras and they are bent in half in the riggers. I was thinking the issue is more that I'm ripping lips. If I take the line out of the rigger after it's been hit my catch rate is very high. Those rods are so sensitive that if a nat touches the line it shows in the rod. If it's working amazingly well, I don't see why I would change a thing.
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[liketrolling]

I like scottys, I have the Chamberlains but don't use them.
I'm like submoa I like to take the line out of the release after ahit
My koke rods are very sensitive also. I can almost take the tipand touch the handle.
I had a bad day and a good day at Strawberry to day, we had about20 Koke hits that we lost but still got more than 20 in the boat.
I think any body would be happy with 20 Kokes at the berry.
I was thinking I should put #2 hooks on the Squids instead of #4that they come with.

I made my Koke rods
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[MisterCompletely]

I've been using Black's and like them fine, but I've ordered one of the Chamberlains to see how I like them. I definitely don't like the clothes pin type, and I've never tried rubber bands. I've been eying the Chamberlain release for some time now, it just looks like it should work well.
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[mtncat1]

I like the off shore brand releases in orange, they are sold with the seps name on them at sportsmans and cost about 10 bucks. I like to take the rod out of the release myself also. but the stronger fish will pull them off . you can usually just run the line in the middle of the release to start, then if the release is to tight or loose adjust the depth that you put the line into the clip hope this helps.
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[jacksonlaker]

I agree with you on this. I use the offshore OR-4 light clip releases. I like to watch the rod bounce, then grab it . I feel the fish are hooked better, and I can get the slack out of the line faster if I have the rod in my hand. I use the black off shore releases for macs. If you know your rods and lines you use , you can judge how much bend to put in the rod with out it releasing. It also depends on what lures you are running, and speed. Popgear will put a lot of tension on the release, I rarely use it, but a big dodger / squid combo can do the same. It really comes down to knowing your gear.
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[DKStroutfitter]

We never really hit on the rods that we use. If the rods are of a stiffer action, it will make using a release more difficult in my opinion.
7' or longer rods in light action would be my recommendation.
I use Lamiglass Kokanee rods and I am very happy with them. I have also used Ugly Stick 7' light action rods with good success.
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[gripy111]

Here's cheap and easy and it works.

you've been told to try rubber bands, here's how they work for me.

Be sure the rubber band is tight on the line or it can slip when putting the bend in your rod.

For small trout and kokks use thin bands, with pop gear use two.

Be sure your ball is all the way up and the bail is open, lower the ball slowly.

I don't know if you are aware not to tighten the handle on your rigger, it can rip a good size hole in your boat if it hangs up on bottom.
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[submoa]

I thought I'd follow up with an opinion of why I run my riggers like I do. I have only fished the gorge for six years, but in those six years I've fished it a lot. I started out as a total newb in the rigger world and it took me a while to fish with them like I do now. I used to play around with the clips, I think I've used about every color made, I thought they should pop off there like I saw on YouTube. My goal now is to use clips I can simply push with one hand all day long (easily and quickly, when you get in a school, every second with a line out of the water will cost you) and will hold the line at any depth or speed with the tackle I use (universal) and will easily come off the ball when I or whoever on the boat wants to remove it. There is a couple benefits I've found.

One is, I have found that the hook is pretty much set when I get the line off the ball and there is minimal slack in the line (I don't use snubbers, I do use monofilament).

Another benefit is, In conjunction with Shimano Talora rods, (I know they are expensive, but my family fishes a lot, they have increased my success astronomically, more than doubled), because I know if a Kokanee has hit my line, I know immediately, even when they pick it up and swim with it, I can get it off of the rigger and fish on. Without the sensitive rods and clips holding them with the tension they are set at, I would not know this fish was ever on there, if you are using ugly sticks or like rods, in my opinion, you are missing half or more of the strikes, Kokanee don't nail it every time (if they do, it may come off of the clip, but not my preference), many times they barely hit it, if you have your riggers set to come off at the light strikes I catch Kokes on, you'll be doing a lot of reeling up a ball to drop your line back down.

Another benefit, I find schools of Kokanee from 25 ft to 45 ft (depths varied the other day from 10 ft - 35 ft, caught Kokes at both depths, even dropped down to 115 ft for a little Mac last Friday) often within a couple of hours, there is an adjustment your going to need to make to have your clips set up perfectly so they come off when a fish hits it, you will likely spend valuable fishing time screwing around with clip tensions and resetting lines when I troll past with lines in the water. I fish like I do as I've caught significantly more fish now then I did six years ago. With that being said, I've got a lot to learn still, and am thankful for the thread to read others experiences.
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[submoa]

I can attest to not tightening the handle too much on the rigger, I fought the lake with one of mine over by pipeline. I held onto the boom until it finally broke the cable. I was glad when it snapped. I've heard of people using rubber bands. I've never tried it, looks like it would really work well on my outrigger mast. I'll have to try that the next time I'm out using it.
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[JLW]

+1 on the rubber bands. They break consistant and can pull anything from big flashers to a spinner. I use smaller ones. maybe 3/4 inches accross. Get the pure rubber ones. Also, if you want your stock pile to last a long time, keep them in a ziplock in the glove box or tackle bag. You put them on the dash or in direct sun, they start breaking down quick and will not perform like you need them too. Good luck.... Fishon
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[PACKFAN]

Now that's what I need, a set up that can distinguish between kokanee hits and trout[crazy]
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[PACKFAN]

I like the Cabelas Depth Master rods in 8 1/2 ft. medium action. I put a good bend in the rod and fasten the line 3/4 of the way in my cannon release. I prefer to pop the line out of the release vs the fish popping it out. Unless the water is rough I can tell if a fish is hitting by watching the rod tip bounce ever so slightly, it also works great on my worm harness rig when I troll Willard for the walleye. I usually troll Willard from 2 to 3 MPH. Wipers will usually rip the line out of the release, walleyes not so much. I haven't missed many fish with this set up wether I'm fishing kokes at the gorge or walleye and wiper at Willard.
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[zman2]

not gona hijack ya that's what I do I also use bread ties to do the samrthing good on ya!
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