Downriggers.. What do you reccomend?

[Koke Hunter]

I am looking at Scotty downriggers and there are too many choices. I need the least expensive one that will do the job at Yale and Merwin. I will buy used if I find a deal on an electric but may have to buy a manual one if I buy new. What do you guys use? If you can suggest model numbers it would help.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[Rafting4fun]

http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/images/smilies/welcome1.gif
Hi, Koke Hunter, and welcome to the forums. If you're on a budget for the time being, and need to get down, then buy what you can for now... There is always an argument towards not throwing money away.. IE: wait until you can buy the D/R of your choice. Short of that... N E thing goes... Years ago, I wanted to catch Kamloops on Pend Oreille..and fabricated a D/R out of Sand weights and knotting a rope(1/4") 1 knot per foot... sounds kind of funny but it produced. I could not afford a quality D/R at that time. I had to allow for a lot more D/R drift between the hull and my lure (w/o a fish finder)... I'm just saying where there is a will there is a way!!!
There is also something else to consider. If it's your first D/R. you might want to consider the cable you use. Dacron-vs-cable...The Dacron or other available synthetic line can void the electrostatic hum of steel cable. Most of the Cable D/R lines "HUM" at certain speeds, wind, etc!
Right now, I am using a Canon (manual) D/R . With that said, I am also using a "Shuttle Hawk" so I'm not manually bringing up my D/R ball after each release. Lastly, to make sure your d/r is at the right depth a good fish-finder is invaluable. Good luck to you and again, WELCOME to the forums and please share your success as you achieve it. John

 

[Koke Hunter]

I have a decent fish finder so I am covered there. I will look into the shuttle hawk, that sounds interesting and woudl make a manual downrigger more livable. I know a marine dealer who can get me a discount on Scotty so I was leaning that way. How much cable do I need when the kokes are all the way down close to 200' in Yale? Do most guys only have 150' or more?

 

[Rafting4fun]

Wow, that's deep.. good luck locating/buying one. I ck'd craigslist (Boise)and for example found this one... I'm not sure how much cable comes with it. I have never fished that deep for kokes... so hopefully someone will give you the 411 on what you need. Good fishing, John

http://boise.craigslist.org/spo/1847981679.html

 

[sawtooth]

I've got two Cannons on my boat. One manual and one electric. I am in the process of saving up for another electric. There is nothing wrong with the manual and is much better than going without, but if you can find the cash for an electric it is well worth it, especially if you are trolling deeper than 100 ft. down. 200 ft is a lot of cranking, especially if the fishing is fast and furious. At two hundred feet I would be tempted to spend my money on one electric downrigger and run a stacker for a second line. Also, the shuttle hawks are great for fishing down to about 70 ft., but I don't know if they will take your gear past 150 ft. My experience with them is limited to about 50 ft. and at that depth they work great on the manual. Scotty makes a great product. If you can get a deal from you friend on one of their electrics, I would start saving my money over the winter and buy one from him come next spring.

 

[BonkinKokes]

Last year I bought an Attwood manual DR. Paid about $70 and it came with a 4.5lb weight and mounting bracket. I caught fish on it but it is a pain in the *** to operate. I guess I got what I paid for. I've read on the forums of guys breaking these entry level units. Next I bought a manual Cannon Uni-troll 5. It has an extendable boom and I can fish it over the side or swivel and fish it over the transom. Love it. The other day I retired el cheapo and bought a Cannon Easi-troll hs. My buddy is building me a mounting plate today so next time out no more fighting with el cheapo. I can see in the future a new boat and most likely then will make the jump to electrics. I've never fished my DR beyond 55' in Merwin or Yale. Knowing there are still trees down there I wouldn't venture way down. I see those fish down there on the screen but can't tell what they are. Another brand I've read good things about is Walker's DR. Fisherman's marine, Wholesale outdoors have a bunch to look at. I bet Bob's in Longview has a good selection as well. 2cents

 

[Mark McWillis]

I have 4 Scotty 1106 electrics and love them. FWIW the best price on Scotty, by FAR is: http://www.johnssportinggoods.com

 

[Bluknight]

I'm a cannon guy just because that is what I grew up with. I have two Mag5HS on my rig and like them. Did some research and as always there is no "perfect" downrigger. There are some features I like about the Scotty's and some I like about the Cannons.

I will say if you have the chance go with electrics though!

As far as amount of capacity needed - I've never been deeper than 80' at either lake trolling for fishies. I don't even remember how much capacity mine has.
I hope that helps

 

[Koke Hunter]

Looks like the Scotty electric will be on the x-mas wish list. Thanks for the replies and the info on the depth you guys are fishing. I thought I had to get just above the fish to get good bites so I was figuring at least 100' this time of year.

 

[Full_Monte]

Most downrigger line is sold with 150 ft of line, though there are longer lengths available.

 

[Koke Hunter]

Thanks for the heads up on the used ones but they were gone before I saw it. I was on Merwin from 6:30am to 11:00 today and only caught 2 fish so I jumped over to Yale and fished until 4pm but only caught some tiny kokes and a squaw. I really need the downrigger to guage my depth properly. There were tons of fish on the finder on yale but I struck out. I will try Merwin again on the second weekend of September.

 

[sawdustsavage]

I picked up 2 walker electrics on Ebay used for less than 300$. Worth a quick look or two.
Good Luck John