Downriger releases?

[moreyes]

What is a good downriger type release? Using rubber binder works good but when you get a smaller fish it does not break so yo end up dragging it around.

thanks moreyes

[bobco]

Went through the same process 2 years ago and asked the question on this board, went to offshore walleye release and love them, threw away the rubber bands, the model is the ultra light/walleye model in Cabelas mag, they are the white ones, it is a pinch release, I use them with 6 lb line and they release and have not had a break off in 2 seasons.

[Coyote]

Roemer releases also work pretty good for walleyes, they are also adjustable so if you want to use them for salmon. you can't pop them without cranking them up like you can with pinch style releases but if you set them right they will release on even tiny fish.

[SUPERTROLLER]

The best releases are made by Walker. They are fully adjustable for whatever tension you desire to run. They are torpedo shaped with a plunger at the back end that you hook the line in. All you have to do is pull a loop onto the plunger and it's hooked. No pads to wear out or worries if you switch between mono and superlines. Just adjust the plunger tension and you're all set. Check these out before you buy something else.

[moreyes]

Where do yo find them?

Thanks, moreyes

[curt quesnell]

i get the walkers at any place that sells downrigger stuff.
cabelas will have them...

curt quesnell

[Dunn]

OffShore Release has a full line of Downrigger releases available through OffShore Tackle L.L.C.

You get can order them through www.offshoretackle.com, if your local store does not carry them.
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Marshall J. Dunn

[Larry]

It's real tough to beat the cost of a rubber band. The nice part of using the bands is the very fact that a small fish still shows up on your rod tip even if the band doesn't break. You might try using lighter bands or just break one side of the band connection between the D/R wire and your line.

[SUPERTROLLER]

While the initial cost of the Walker release is more than a bag of rubber bands, the longevity of them will more than make up for the cost differential. I've got 4 Walker releases and have NEVER had to replace one. They appear to last forever.

[FreeByrd]

ST,
I used the Walkers and liked them a lot back when I ran Mono line. I now run Spiderwire Braid 50/10 (overkill for eyes but use the same reels for Salmon fishing) Getting ready for the annual Lake Ontario Silver Fish trip - need to get those downriggers out of storage...

Have you run the Walker releases with a braided line?

I haven't tried it - assumed it would slip through the release or not come out if I looped it.

For the original poster - perhaps your solution is to just get different size bands. We use size 12,14, and sometimes size 16 for our planar board releases from Cumler pinch pad style releases - which I've also been using as my downrigger releases. Rubber bands are nice because they do help you detect small fish or weeds. We also use a dipsey snubber between the DR ball and the release which also helps detech small fish and debris. Any office supply store should have them. The 14 size should work most of the time.
Thanks,
Steve

[curt quesnell]

yes off shore anything is a very good product..i have
a couple off shore releases and, of course planer boards.

curt quesnell

[SUPERTROLLER]

I have used them with Fireline but not with an actual braided line. We run 10 lb. DR balls and haven't had a problem pulling shakers around the lake. They will bounce the rod tip when they're on there. I'm sure you are aware also, you don't have to pull a "whole" loop of line into the plunger. I have been running 20 and 30 lb. test Fireline on my SG 27 LC's and they will release as easy as 17 lb. Ande used to. Because I'm usually pulling cranks behind the ball and working for reaction strikes, I feel the heavier line is not a factor to the fish, but allows the line to work better in all types of releases. Hope I answered part of your questions. Not often I help you with anything.