Downrigger Question

[Rafting4fun]

Wow, what an interesting setup for sure. I will go check it out. I think I'm just a little frustrated with me D/R right now and have lost some confidence. Last night at lucky peak-not one release on the D/R. All my action was on leaded line again. I just need to settle down, raise my positive thinking a bit and keep experimenting. I love to fish so it's always a pleasure trying new things... thanks Mike, John

 

[Rafting4fun]

Shuttle Hawk

Here is a bit on what I found, thanks again Mike!

The Shuttle Hawk is a downrigger release carrier. Attached to your downrigger cable the diver will take your release, line and lure to a desired depth until released. Then returns to the surface to be sent dwon again. Making it uneccessary to raise or lower your downrigger weight.

Has anyone tried this?

http://www.kokaneetackle.com/p-263-shasta-tackle-company-shuttle-hawk-downrigger-release.aspx

 

[kodiak1]

shuttle hawk

Did you notice that the internet site is the new place in Meridian? Had to double check the address. Think I will head over there today and pick one up to try. We are going to Anderson Wednesday, and will try it out. Mike

 

[Rafting4fun]

slipping

Mike, no I did not.. Sheesh I guess I'm just getting old... Thanks for pointing that out. Actually, I have never heard of that place. But what a plus... I think I recall reading a diff thread and whoever it was mentioned that he had found a store in Meridian that you directed him too. I thought you were kidding for a sec until I started browsing around. I have never been there and I'm assuming you have? Is it kind of like a Howards in Nampa? When you directed me to the site I went through Google and not the home page so I think that's perhaps why I missed it. That's my story and i'm sticking to it. http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

BTW, I fished Anderson for the first time in years. My father-in-law and I boated 26. I think I can out do that but my D/R was hot that day, unlike LP which I have yet to have a release. I'm thinking of going in the AM. Do you prefer Anderson because of the limits? Thanks again for the heads up, John

 

[kodiak1]

The fishing is def. faster this year, and the kokes are a nice size. I guess I just like the scenery better!! And, more elbow room, even the weekends are manageable. I bought the Shuttle Hawk over there today--they have one more, and more are coming. Great guys, and now we can talk about them openly as they are official advertisers on this site. Wed. will be an interesting test. They gave me a few suggestions on how to use them. I will report my findings. Mike

 

[Rafting4fun]

AR

Hmmm, I think I need to read more of the forum rules as that question did not enter my mind. I don't want to breach any rules.. One left...hmmm I hope it has my name on it... I'm interested to see how fast they come back up.
I'm with you on the scenery of Anderson. Once I got away from the Dam and not really sure where I was exactly, (maybe 3mi E) ( should know exactly as I'm running a Lowrance HD8 w/insight). The beauty of the Lake was very peaceful... The treat for us that day is I found a Bald Eagles nest. Both the Male and Female were present. I don't think I'll ever get used to that and consider it a gift to observe them in their natural habitat. I have hunted unit 43 for the last 23 yrs but seldom actually get to that body of water. Maybe it's time for a change.
Good luck to you on Wed if you go. Even when the boaters were out, around 11am I had lots of options and never crowded compared to LP.... Life is good, take care and thanks for the info... John

 

[Rafting4fun]

Shuttle

I

1. How do you run two lines from one downrigger? How do you do it? I use Shasta Shuttle Hawks and love them. The shuttle holds the top line and slides (planes) down the cable to a pre-set stopper (usually 5-10 ft above the cannonball). When the fish hits, you pop the release, and the shuttle rides back to the surface on the cable. The only thing I didn't like about them, is the releases, which I replaced with Off Shores.

I'm not quite sure how to quote and paste from a diff thread. I copied and pasted this from another thread. Thought you might be interested on his take with the releases that come with the , "shuttle Hawk"....

 

[Full_Monte]

I know I'm in the minority, but I really like the Shasta Tackle release. Since I started using them, I've pretty much eliminated premature releases, and my catch rate has gone up above 85%. I can load my pole with a nice curve so that it almost touches the water. It's all about adjusting the release to the line you are using. Once you've done that correctly, it's a cake walk. The offshore releases gave me a lot of false releases and the pads always wear out.

 

[Rafting4fun]

Full Monte

Thanks for the advice. I am going to buy one this week and hope to start using it this week also. I guess seeing it in person will answer a lot of questions.
So if i'm getting this right, you prefer the Shuttle Hawk release the way it comes from the factory? How long do they last before replacing? I have only heard a few comments so far and the one I heard said he replaced his with the Off Shores.
How does the release work in relation to smaller fish? Unfortunately, I have drug a few of the buggers not realizing I had a fish on. (off shores) ... so I'm curious to see if the Hawk handles that problem.... thanks again, John

 

[Full_Monte]

You have probably hit on one of the most controversial subjects on the forum here. Some guys are fanatical about their Offshore releases and will think I'm nuts. I find that the offshore type will release prematurely more often than I would like. That being said, there are a couple things you need to know:
first, the Shuttle Hawk is a mechanism to take your fishing line connection to the rigger line down to the depth you want without moving the weight up and down...a great advantage with a manual downrigger. How you get the line down is independent of the type of release you use. Second, the Shasta release requires a one-time adjustment with a small screw driver, which can be done at home or on the boat. Once set, the adjustment lasts for many trips. Unlike the offshore pads, the Shasta release does not wear (that I can tell). I think there is a video on the Shasta Tackle website that shows you how to attach the line to the release. It's easy, but you need to know how to do it.

As far a smaller fish go, I find that because I can spring-load my rod down more than with the offshore releases, I can more easily see any movement of my rod tip. This is because there is not as much balooning of the line due to boat-speed drag. There are also a number of other downrigger releases on the market, some of which claim to allow you to have one tension for spring-loading the rod and another for releasing the fish. That would be an advantage, but I haven't tried any of these yet.

 

[SuperD]

The shuttlehawk releases out of the package are a pain in the ass! The tension is set with a screwdriver! That's exactly what I want to be doing leaning out over the boat, NOT. If one is fishing multiple rods with different line, rods aren't interchangeable around the boat. The clip has to be specifically set for each rod and line diameter. I'll take an occassional release over those headaches.

 

[SilverBullets]

The yellow Offshore release might pre-release while loading up the rod but as long as you know just how far to go you won't have a problem. Most koke rods are pretty limber to get a good arch without a release while getting it set-up in the rod holder. If your dragging around fish and never seeing the rod bounce try extending the release clip wire to around 18-24".

 

[Rafting4fun]

Thanks again guys.. you make some good points. When I first started fishing with a down rigger it was mostly on the straits, "Juan De Fuca" either at Neah Bay or Seiku. There was never a question about the way my release worked. I just locked it in tight, and always released with a fish on. (well most of the time)

SilverBullets: you made an excellent observation for me. I think I was relying on my release too much. I need to watch my pole closer. I'm also going to extend the release a bit in hopes of seeing more action. I guess i was being a little lazy to boot. I'm always driving my boat "the comphy chair" and tell my fishing buddies to let me know if I get a release. It's time for a fishing tune-up and an a better observation point. I also think I need to move my Leaded Line rod holder to the rear of the boat. Currently, it's mid-boat which divides my attention and also gives me a headache rubber necking back and forth. I have broken my neck twice now which does not help... but hey, I'm fishing and love it... thanks again, John

Post Script: Fishing out of low-line Basstracker is not optimal but dooable..my downrigger handle clears the boat floor about 2 inches. I'm always crouched down back there or on my knees (ouch) cranking up the D/R ball. I'm hoping the Shuttle Hawk will enhance my experience. Maybe it's time to raise the D/R some how. (or go electric)

 

[Full_Monte]

Here's a "how to" on using the Shasta Release:

http://www.fishsniffer.com/t58561/