Walker Downriggers

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Ryno

Ryno

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2008
Messages
184
Location
Dutch John, Utah
I've read through some old posts and it sounds like most people using Walkers are pretty happy with them. I'm considering purchasing the Walker Kokanee models to replace my current Cannon Mag5s. A couple of questions I was hoping to get some input on:

1) Those of you still running them, are you happy with them? It looks like the reviews online support them as a good rigger, but I had hoped to get some "realtime" feedback.

2) I've read some stuff about a soft start/retrieve, which my Cannons definitely don't have. If true, does that perform well and reduce the banging/jarring when the ball surfaces as it should?

Thanks for any help or input ahead of time! Ryno
 
My experience with them has been while fishing on Bduck's boat. They are like any downrigger in that they have things to like and things not to like. On the "like" side, I like the fact that the retrieve system brings the weight back to the gunnel without having to use a pull cord. I don't care much for the way the weight goes in the water in almost a free fall fashion nor how the switch has a noticeable lag time. It seems to travel a good 2 or 3 feet after one releases the switch. I've learned to let go a couple feet before I get to the depth I really want.
 
One of the Cannon features that I really depend on is the clutch knob so I can release or retrieve a couple feet of wire by hand if I want to. I haven't seen that feature or ability in other brands. If that is available on Walkers, I'd like Roger to show me how to do it.
 
Thanks for your input!

Yeah, I like the clutch knob too but I'm reluctant to let other people that fish with me use it much if they are inexperienced. I've had the ball go flying to the bottom, lines release, etc.

I have two issues with these new Mag 5s though (well they are 3-seasons old). One is when the cable gets any slack, it can easily pop off the end-roller. If it does, it requires me to take it partially apart (7-screws) and put it back on the roller. I hate doing that on the water especially if the conditions are bad and/or the fishing is good. It also tends to kink my cable. Once again, that's usually an inexperienced mistake with operating the rigger when there is slack in the cable. The other thing I don't like is the speed of the retrieve and stop and how it jars the rigger. I think a soft start/retrieve would be better on the rigger, boat gunnel, etc.

Thanks, Ryno
 
I presume you're talking about the ones from Scotty? I don't. I've looked into them but never met anyone that uses them. Do you run 'em?
 
Ryno I have scottys 2106s and cannons digi troll 10s (which I know doesn't help you) but I know about the bounce and went with snubbers and took care of the mast jarring. the mast on my cannons, because I hated the cheesy build and a pulley with only 1 axis, I replaced with scotty 2106 masts there is no slop in them, so the mast doesn't wobble up and down which added to the bounce. the one thing that would make them better would be having a soft start which sounds like walker has. they all bring your weight up and down and I run both because they are tools that do different jobs. dfly
 
The soft start must be something new. Ryno, on the Cannons, if you add the Scotty snubber, the line current breaks with when the snubber breaks the water surface. This leaves the weight and a few inches of the snubber in the water. Try them on your Cannons and see what you think.
 
Ryno I use them on all 4, the scottys have beads but the digi trolls have a stop setting so you don't have to rely on the water breaking electric auto stop feather but like Dave said your ball might still be in the water. with mine I have the masts extended and pull every thing over with the ball retriever and that's about where I want mine any way. dfly
 
Oh, I definitely mentioned that because I see that as an advantage and part of the solution to solving the boom shock. The weight being in the water dampens that shock along with the snubber.
 
Thanks guys. I think I might try the snubber (because it's cheaper!) but I'm still unsure of the cable coming off the spool. Like I said, I don't have a problem with it because I work around it, but visitors seem too! I wish I could just go to the old spool, being I didn't have a problem with that style, and I should look into that. Maybe a different mast would work too. Thanks again for throwing out some other options!
 
Ryno, is your Mag 5 an HS or an ST? Maybe we can work up a fix to the cable being able to hop the spool. I've heard that the new ST boom ends are supposed to be a better design. On the older HS model, I'm thinking that we could put a couple thin layers above or on both side of the spool to make it harder for the cable to find its way over the side of the spool.
 
Ryno I have 2 brand new complete mast assemblies with ball hanger and pulleys still in the box that came with my digi 10s I never used. I would be willing to sell (remember I switched to scotty masts) but they are the black 3 part masts, if that might help pm me. dfly
 
ryno you can buy the new style roller from fish307 they were about 15 bucks apiece and are a direct replacement for the old ones.i just put them on my mag 10s and they are designed so that the wire can't bounce off.
 
ryno I put them on and loved then best 30 bucks I've spent in a while,my friend did the same to his also the new rollers are also better quality and roller much smoother.
 
I don't see how you cable could slip off the roller if you have the new style down riggers. I must be confused but that's not abnormal for me.
 

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