Downrigging for Dummies, Chapter 2, Line releases

[ScottL]

Thank you to everyone that posted replies to my last Downriggers for Dummies post. It is going to be a big help. So on with the next part.

1) What line release do you prefer. (e.g. Church Tackle Super downrigger clips)?

2) How much release tension do you put on a release clip( amount of pull to release line from clip)?

3) How heavy do you set the drag on your reel, and do you use the line click alarm?

4) What the heck is the "rubber band" method for attaching to the release clip?(If you could explain that in detail and slowly, or with pictures it would help, cause remember I'm a dummy at this.

Thanks Again,

Scott Lee

[bluelund]

Scott,

I use Cannon Off-Shore releases on my down riggers, I set them on the first notch with the line set in the release about halfway. I set the drag fairly light on my reels because alot of my fishing partners are not highly experienced and this helps to not loose as many fish. I do not use the clickers on my reels. The rubber band method I use with my releases involves looping the rubber band over the mono with a half hitch, I usually place the band two rod lengths back which gives me a setback of about 16 feet. I stretch the rubber band before I clip it in the release and place it about halfway in the clip on the first notch. The rubber band will stretch when a small fish is hooked and doesn't have enough strength to pull it out of the release. If this is confusing, send me an email at RRobertJMartin@cs.com and I will try to take some digital pictures for you.

Take care and good fishing,

Bob M

[Starfish]

I prefer the Off-Shore tackle medium tension release for most of my downrigger fishing. I also use the Off-shore stacker release clips for stacking multiple lines. When fishing for chinook I'll sometimes use the heavy instead of medium tension.

If you like an adjustable tension release, Scotty makes a really nice one too.

I place the line about 2/3 of the way into the release clip. I use clickers on the reels while lowering the rigs, to prevent backlashes. I generally set the drag moderately tight, but just loose enough that I can crank some bend into the rod without popping the release free before the drag slips.

[SUPERTROLLER]

1)Walker release, infinitely adjustable by tightening cap on front of round plunger release

2)Tighten drag only tighten enough to hold tension down to release

3)Yes, clicker is on to hold tension

4)There is NO need for rubber bands. The line is let out to what ever lead length you deisre and then clipped into the release by pulling about 3/4 of a loop into the plunger and "snugging" it in. These releases are by far the easiest to use. They are fully adjustable for all species of fish or style of lure to be pulled behind them. Rubber bands are just one more thing to get old and dried out and then they fail prematurely. If you get ambious and want to run Stackers or Sliders you can do this very easily with OffShore releases. There are numerous ways to rig them. Maybe that's a good topic in their own right. We'll wait for that post later.

[Grey Ghost]

I've tried all different types of styles over the last 20 years, off-shore, Roemers, Walkers, and others. They all work as line release and they all have limitations for ease of use. The Off-shore and similar types are more difficult to set up than the Walker, tension varies with where the line lies in the gap of the two rubber pads, difficult when your in a good chop and things are moving around. The Roemers have a durability issue because of the plastic that they are made of. At times I like to fish with light lines, 6 and 8 test. These lines will at times cut into the plastic and from that time on your line will not release, another dead Roemer. Although, Roemers have an excellent stacking mechanism which I make use of with the Walker release. The Walker releases are shaped like a bullet with opposing cones with the center cone spring-loaded plunger where the tension is settable, the cones capture the line with a half turn of the line around the cone. They come in aluminum or Chrome-plated brass for salt water. Once adjusted, you just wrap the line around the release and pull taunt. Piece of cake. I use the inline release with the ball and use the universal release attached to a defunct Roemer releases for stacking. For the stackable releases, Roemer's release has an outstanding stacking mechanism, a cam that puts pressure on the wire to hold it in place and when the ball is raised the cam is released when it reaches the boom. JMHO. BTW, I fish for fresh and saltwater fish with downriggers.

Walker's web site, http://www.walkerdownriggers.com, Roemer's web site, http://www.roemerrelease.com/. Off Shore's web site, http://www.offshoretackle.com/index.html

[mnjimcarp]

www.bigjon.com used to use a rubber band release on one of their products. i am not sure if they still do. check out their site of give them a call. good luck. i have not used the rubber band release for 10 years. we used to use them on lake superior many years ago.

[Capt. Paul]

The offshore releases work well, use them for everything from walleye to salmon and muskies. Set the drags a little on the light side, enough to get a good hookset

[Phil T.]

I've always used rubber bands for salmon. Walleye seldom hit/fight hard enough to break a decent rubber band.
You need a leader-snap attached to the downrigger ball. Loop the fishing line where you want the attachment 9we commonly use a 6' dropback). Stuff one "end" of the rubber band through the line loop, then back through itself. The part of the rubber band on the line should looklike a double half hitch knot. Snug up the line loop aroung the band. The free "end" of the rubber band is hooked through that snap trailing the cannon ball.
You don't use a very heavy rubber band, the kind wrapped around your daily newspaper is strong enough. A band that size will drive a sharp hook through the hard upper jaw of a chinook salmon.
Super braids work very wellfor downrigging. Less line belly between the ball and rod tip, and they cut the rubber band easier.

[jerry]

I had this tip emailed to me by Cb for this winter. I believe it just may be one of the best for the off season. This setup will detect slight, soft hits and possibly illiminate the rubber bands.

Jerry,
If you look at your setups for releases on your riggers now you will see that
it has a snap release and then has the wire clipping up to your rigger ball.

Insead of having the wire i changed it to a 6" snubber with a snip release.
Just buy a large snap so you can get the snap release to clip to the snubber.
If you get a slight hit the tip will bounce like a strick and u can pop the
rigger off the release.