Downrigger Release Lengths

[Bullitt]

I run my booms out to 40”to 53” (max) and I have to swing the DR parallel to the boat so I can re-attach the line to the release for the next set. The Scotty releases I have are about 24” long. Is there anything I should know or any issues if I make them 48 to 60” long?

My thinking is that when I need to re-attach to the release, I won’t have to swing the DR around. I was thinking of taking a couple of dowels with a cup hook on the end so I can simply reach out, grab the release line, set the line in the release, and I’m ready to drop.

Seems simple enough on paper and in my pea sized brain. 101smily101

 

[dubob]

Weight Retriever

What you need is a downrigger weight retriever. Cabelas sells both the Cannon and Scotty models. I have the Scotty model and just love it. Bring the weight up to the surface or just below and give a tug on the retriever rope to bring the ball (weight) right over next to the boat. Clip the fishing line in the release and lower the ball back into the water. You will never need to swivel the downrigger around again. Here's a link to the Cannon and one to the Scotty.

 

[Kokonuts]

I made up a couple about 4' that work fine. Use the line from a hedge & lawm trimmer that you can get a the local Ace hardware store. They also have the alu. sleeves to make the connections. Simply make a loop & clamp it down in the vise or be like Primitve Pete & use a hammer! laugh hyst

Mine have lasted 3 years now, this type of line dosn't kink.

Kokonuts....

 

[Bullitt]

I'll have to take a look at my set up and see how I'd mount the jam cleat for the retriever. I'm not keen on more holes in my gunnel on a painted AL hull that sees salt water.

Looks like long release lines will work as well. I've got plenty of 100 - 250lb mono and cable leader laying around that I use for halibut and tuna to make them. Also have the crimps and crimpper tool for the sleeves. No Primitive Pete here.

Thanks for info!

 

[SuperD]

Retriever cleat is mounted on my downrigger housing. I'm concerned that long release lengths effects actual depth of the presentation.

 

[SilverBullets]

Retriever cleat is mounted on my downrigger housing. I'm concerned that long release lengths effects actual depth of the presentation.

That's what I was thinking...especially if you use a standard set of trolls off the ball. Clipping a 4' long release around 4 to 6' up the wire (to avoid tangles with the ball trolls) you'd have to either reset the counter on the downrigger or factor in around a 8 to 10' difference every time because of the release comeing up when you load the rod in the holder.

 

[eenakoK]

I would have to agree with the length of the releases affecting the depth. Saturday I was using my long releases about 4'. My son accidently let one go and it sunk. I had to use a shorter release, but that side of the boat was on the side that consistently had hits the rest of the day. Same gear on both sides. This is the first time I have had this happen, I am not sure if it is just a coincidence but it made sense to me. I am going to do some more testing just to see if it is true.

 

[Full_Monte]

I use 5 foot long release clip lines as well, made from weed-whacker line. I have two Scotty 1106 electric down riggers on my small boat, so I have to sit down most of the time. I use a telescoping boat pole to retrieve my release clip from the water. That way, I don't have to stand up, don't have to lift the 5 foot boom as often, and save the back muscles. While I use the line counters, I do verify the depth of the weight/lure with the Lowrance fish finder. It works out pretty well.

 

[Kokonuts]

The longer lines will rise up, just how much depends on the amount of tension you put on the pole, the speed , the weight of the flasher/dodger and lure, the amount of line between the release and lure and the list goes on. Early this year I was running the ball at 5ft with the release line cliped to it and the release was at 1ft. tooexcited

Now I am also using a VERTICAL set of FLASHERS 4 ft long with the ball attached to the bottom and the clip attached at the top. I set the counter at the water line to zero where the clip is attached. 101idea101 Does it help? Too soon to tell!!

KOKONUTS....laugh hyst....

 

[SuperD]

Having the release clip slightly over the ball is a good thing if the ball depth is equal to the fish depth you are marking since the fish tend to look up. However, some fish are more chasers than others so 4' or 5' might be beyond the point that triggers that fish to come after your lure.

 

[Kokonuts]

Thats always been the questions I dont have an answer for, How far will they see the lure & how far will they chase it.

I've seen the TV pictures were they just appear out of the gloom, come up to the lure & inspect it then either hit it or simply move away.

Does anyone really know ??

Kokonuts....101ok

 

[DLM]

I have always felt that my lure is visible from 5-10 feet above and 5-10 below. I base this on the many many fish I see moving 5-10 feet up the column to look at the ball. Also by passing over or under schools by 5 -10 feet or more and getting strikes.