Tony O
Active member
Does anybody have any experience with these downrigger releases? Do they work? Do you like them? Are they worth the money? Do they save time?
Shasta Tackle Shuttle Hawk Downrigger Release
- Thread starter Tony O
- Start date
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I use them. The release isn't the best but when adjusted correctly, they work OK.
They are very difficult to get set just right. By this is mean it will release on a bite but it stays locked in while you are lowering the line down.
Most people I know have changed theirs out to their favorite releases.
They are very difficult to get set just right. By this is mean it will release on a bite but it stays locked in while you are lowering the line down.
Most people I know have changed theirs out to their favorite releases.
SuperDaveMT
Well-known member
Shuttle Hawks
I agree with Grandpa D re the release - they work but not the best. Otherwise, they do work as advertised, sliding down to the stop on the downrigger cable when you load the rod a little and pop to the surfce after a release. I highly recommend using a rubber band length wise to cover the cable slot after it is attached to keep it from coming off the cable accidently.
I agree with Grandpa D re the release - they work but not the best. Otherwise, they do work as advertised, sliding down to the stop on the downrigger cable when you load the rod a little and pop to the surfce after a release. I highly recommend using a rubber band length wise to cover the cable slot after it is attached to keep it from coming off the cable accidently.
Ryno
Well-known member
They work great, depending on the downrigger. Like others said, the releases aren't the best, but I replaced mine with Offshore Planer Board releases (black) and the problem was solved. I never had a problem with them while running my old Cannons. I bought new Cannon Mag 5s last summer, and the stoppers wouldn't clear the spool on the end of the boom. One try was all it took and my cable spool looked like a bird's nest. Now, I'm back to stacking with clips. Good luck!
smokepoles
Well-known member
I'm also kind of in the middle on them. Best use for me was with a ball troll. You could get that down first and fast, and then follow with the SH until ready to pull up. Lost last one as per the previous posts, and haven't replaced.
Got Chamberlain releases this year and can't now see using anything else.
Got Chamberlain releases this year and can't now see using anything else.
Rafting4fun
Well-known member
S/H
They work great, however; unless they have fixed it there is an inherent design flaw. On my first two S/H's the O-ring that rides up and down the cable came undone and never to be seen again. I continued to use it but it was very slow and the cable actually starts to wear into the plastic. The FIX?? Just cut a Beefy O-ring in half and glue it in place. Works great. Conversely, the SEP'S Simply trollin, which is a pathetic excuse for a S/H did not work for me. I spoke with two other gents that hate them as well. It was the worst 13 bucks I have spent in Meridian and I would take them off the shelf if it were my store. The only good thing about the SEP's though is the release/lanyard. It works spot on as it incorporates the yellow "Off Shore" adjustable release. I put that release on my shuttle hawk and I am extremely happy with that. The shuttle hawk is quick, and by the time you re-rig or get a false take/down the shuttle hawk is already on top awaiting it's next deployment.
I can watch the shuttle hawk cruise down the D/R cable (green trail) with my Lowrance HD with insight so I'm always sure it's bottomed out. The other nice thing I do is clip it in, loosen the drag and go about my business until it reaches the stop. The other nice thing about the Shuttle Hawk is ... Many Many Many times on its' way down through suspended fish, it never makes the bottom, "FISH ON"... I love it... just my 2cents Jt Good luck.
They work great, however; unless they have fixed it there is an inherent design flaw. On my first two S/H's the O-ring that rides up and down the cable came undone and never to be seen again. I continued to use it but it was very slow and the cable actually starts to wear into the plastic. The FIX?? Just cut a Beefy O-ring in half and glue it in place. Works great. Conversely, the SEP'S Simply trollin, which is a pathetic excuse for a S/H did not work for me. I spoke with two other gents that hate them as well. It was the worst 13 bucks I have spent in Meridian and I would take them off the shelf if it were my store. The only good thing about the SEP's though is the release/lanyard. It works spot on as it incorporates the yellow "Off Shore" adjustable release. I put that release on my shuttle hawk and I am extremely happy with that. The shuttle hawk is quick, and by the time you re-rig or get a false take/down the shuttle hawk is already on top awaiting it's next deployment.
I can watch the shuttle hawk cruise down the D/R cable (green trail) with my Lowrance HD with insight so I'm always sure it's bottomed out. The other nice thing I do is clip it in, loosen the drag and go about my business until it reaches the stop. The other nice thing about the Shuttle Hawk is ... Many Many Many times on its' way down through suspended fish, it never makes the bottom, "FISH ON"... I love it... just my 2cents Jt Good luck.
dragonfly
Well-known member
I have to say they are great with manual downriggers and single pole and not as valuable with the newer electric downriggers or for stacking.anyway when the fish takes the bottom line you still have to reel up any way, and the electrics are faster to retrive and reset anyhow when stacking. allthou I did switch to the chamberlin releases and have never looked back. just my 2cents
Tony O
Active member
Great information. How do you attach the Chamberlin release to the shuttle hawk?
I'm thinking this is the way to go for now since I only have manual d/r.
I'm thinking this is the way to go for now since I only have manual d/r.
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dragonfly
Well-known member
there original release goes at the end of your downrigger cable and clips to your ball the 101 is your stacker and snaps any where on the cable this setup works very well, once dialed in you will not be draging fish around the the lake or false releases from turns or wakes. and when retreaving during stacking the 101 hits the mast and just drops down to the weight just hook up your bottom line grab your 101 let down 10' of cable push in the lock hook up rod 2 and drop it down to depth and your fishing. oh you can load your rod as heavy as you like it is a seperate adjustment
Rafting4fun
Well-known member
S/H
The Chamberlin is not designed to work with the shuttle hawk or attach to it. If you are stacking, you would put the chamberlin below the S/H. As mentioned before though, if the Chamberlin releases first then you have to bring up your gear and start over defeating the real reason for the S/H. Personally, even though I like the Chamberlin/concept, rarely have to load my rod that heavy nor do I have that many false releases. The "Offshore" has a spring in it that can be adjusted for heavier tension. I do not expect a "Take Down" every time I catch a kokanee meaning on a light bite, I yank the line from the S/H release. To be very honest, and in my opinion, I lock my tension setting pretty tight, Why??? because 9 X out of 10 with a good " lock in" the Kokanee are all ready hooked prior to my even touching the rod. When the bite is on, I don't really want to be putting twists in my line prior to locking in my line. With the offshore its a quick pinch and voila, your on your way back down the cable. You have manual d/r's . I think you would enjoy the S/H especially when you are at 60'. Once you get into electric d/r your needs may change. I have to admit though, I do like seeing my line bust out of the "offshore" and Kokanee dancing behind the boat. Man, i love that... !!!
The Chamberlin is not designed to work with the shuttle hawk or attach to it. If you are stacking, you would put the chamberlin below the S/H. As mentioned before though, if the Chamberlin releases first then you have to bring up your gear and start over defeating the real reason for the S/H. Personally, even though I like the Chamberlin/concept, rarely have to load my rod that heavy nor do I have that many false releases. The "Offshore" has a spring in it that can be adjusted for heavier tension. I do not expect a "Take Down" every time I catch a kokanee meaning on a light bite, I yank the line from the S/H release. To be very honest, and in my opinion, I lock my tension setting pretty tight, Why??? because 9 X out of 10 with a good " lock in" the Kokanee are all ready hooked prior to my even touching the rod. When the bite is on, I don't really want to be putting twists in my line prior to locking in my line. With the offshore its a quick pinch and voila, your on your way back down the cable. You have manual d/r's . I think you would enjoy the S/H especially when you are at 60'. Once you get into electric d/r your needs may change. I have to admit though, I do like seeing my line bust out of the "offshore" and Kokanee dancing behind the boat. Man, i love that... !!!
dragonfly
Well-known member
sorry tony about my last post, I was talking to someone about the differance between the orignal chamberlin and the 101 and posted in the wrong place anyhow rafting is right they will not work with the s/h
Tony O
Active member
Thank you all for the input. What a great place to talk Kokanee.
Full_Monte
Well-known member
I use them exclusively on my boat. I keep a small screwdriver to make adjustments on the releases. I gave up on the yellow Offshore releases because of false releases. With the Shastas, I get NO false releases.
Tony O
Active member
Finally got a chance to use the shuttle hawks and was completly satisfied. Didn't use their clips, but they worked out perfect. Thanks for the tip on using a rubber band.
