Big Jon downriggers

[tank]

What do you think of the line counters on the big jon downriggers? Are they accurate, durable?

[Nofish]

Hey Tank,

I have only had my Captains Pack Electric's for a few months but so far so good. They are well built and simple in design.

My uncle had Big Jon's on his boat for seven seasons and we NEVER had a problem with any of them, other than changing the cable and ball connections and the like as we wore them out.

He sold the boat when he got sick and the riggers went with it.

I like how easy it is to set the line counter and replace cable ends with the clip Big Jon uses. Painfully simple to do.

Good luck......R

[Airwave(OH)]

Been using Big Jon for several years now and mine are right on the money with what my 350a says they are, no problems.

[Kurt_wi]

tank,

I just installed a set of Captain's Paks manuals this year. So far they work great. My sonar shows the lead weights at the depth that the counters show.

My fishing buddy has had the same on his boat for six years and they are going strong.

Bottom line, I'd put them on again.

Good luck,
Kurt

[tank]

Do any of you use the "Free'N Easy Realease" for your string realease? And do you know how many positions the swivel base has?

[Larry]

I think my bases have stops about every 45 degrees.

[FreeByrd]

Tank,
I've used Big Jon's, Proos, Penn, and Cannon downriggers. My personal favorite is the PENN. Both the electric and manual seem to be bulletproof and simple to operate. My dad has a set of manuals over 15 years old - zero problems. A friend has 15 year old electrics - zero problems. One thing that is very nice about the Penn's is their "new" (I think it has been out for a couple years) swivel mount locks every 10 degrees, where most of the other manufacturers that I am aware of lock every 45 degrees. I've found the Penns depth couter to be accurate. Whatever downrigger you go with, I'd recommend getting at least 12 pound weights so they will be straight down. Very frustrating when 8 or 10 pound weights are drug back at an angle and you don't know where they are. My second choice would be the Big Jon's - although I do know of some guys that have snapped the aluminum arms on the Big Jons.
Steve

[How?]

Pulling skiers?

[Kurt_wi]

The bases swivel and lock every 45 degrees. They were worth the extra money to me.

Kurt