Electric Downriggers

[Boatnut]

I'm considering purchasing a pair of electric downriggers. I know this subject has been brought up in past , but searching the archives brought no results.
Any opinions on which are the best? what about the Scotty's?
I'd like a feature that allows you to preset a certain depth , hit a button and the cannonball stops at that depth. Any certain models have this feature???
thanks in advance!
Mike(boatnut)

[johnwaleye]

i recommend bigjohn;s i think they might be what you are looking for

[Den]

Mike, remember, the more goodies on them , the more problems that can be had. and see if they have had the same parts for a long time too, no frequent changes over the years. good luck and good fishin. and soon i hope.
Den

[Nofish]

Hey Mike,

I second the Big Jon. I have 2 of the Captains pack Electric models on my Ranger 620. I have used Big Jon for many years before being on their Pro Staff. My uncle used Big Jon on his 26 foot Cabin cruiser on Lake Michigan for many years with no trouble.

As for the Pre set depth, I am not sure if that is offered by anyone. Big Jon does, though, make an auto stop feature that will stop the cannonball at the boom, on the way up, automatically.

Good Luck.....R

[Boatnut]

Nofish,
thanks for the response. I know the cannon digi trolls have the preset depth feature but i haven't one the lotto yet so will have to pass on those!
Mike(boatnut)

[JustLookN]

Go with the Big Jons Mike or at least stay simple with what you get,had 2 of the Lake systems with the lots of extra features and they were always broken,finally they removed the extra electronics so I could sell them without feeling like i was selling junk.two of my big jons are very old and very reliable still,no problems with the ones that are 6 years old either. Good luck...Bob

[Big E.]

Boatnut,

I currently have 4 Big Jon electric downriggers w/capt.Pak and have had these units for 6 yrs. with no trouble other than loosing a few cannonballs due to bad cable crimps and general wear and tear. I previously owned four Big Jon manual downriggers before I had the electrics and both models are a good quality units. As for pre-set depth downriggers, I believe Cannon makes a model that has that option. I have never owned a Cannon downrigger and have not heard any negative feedback about them, but they are signifigently more $$$$$.Good luck with your decision.
Big E.

[Airwave(OH)]

Mike I have Big Jons but have used them all. They all have there advantages and faults. Cannons have a strong Boom Scotties are fast and low profile and strong. Big Jon weak boom but have never broke one. Easy to use. Good luck in your choice

[FreeByrd]

Mike,
Cannon is the only one I'm aware of that has the preset depth feature you're talking about but I see you haven't won the Lotto yet... They are nice WHEN they work but not too reliable based on my experience. I've used Cannons, Big Jons, Walkers, Proos, and Penn - both electric and manual in all makes. My preference is the Penn. Both the manual and electric are bulletproof in my experience. Easy to use. Penn's new swivel mount allows you to lock the position every 10 degrees. All other's I'm aware of lock every 45 degrees. Electric is nice but I went with manual this time. As little as I use the riggers, I couldn't justify the $$ for electric. My second choice behind Penn would be Big Jon. I do like their Tip Up Boom.
Good Luck,
Steve

[mnjimcarp]

BIG JON for sure!

like many of you, i am fishing alot. i cannot say enough nice things about BIG JON as a company or the excellent quality of the equipment they produce. i have had the BIG JON electric downriggers on my boat for five years. in five years, there have been many times when i have been on the great lakes in very rough conditions. having a small boat without any protection from the elements has put a tremendous amount of stress, wear and tear on the BIG JONS. they have never failed due to mechanical or electrical problems. i have had operator error a couple of times which required replacing a piece or two on the downriggers. when i needed replacement parts or spare parts, i simply called the Traverse City customer service and they immediately shipped out the items i needed.
BIG JON is an excellent choice.

[mnjimcarp]

BIG JON 1-800-637-7590 or bigjon.com

[yknot]

I have used the Lakes Systems and Walkers for years and have found something new. There is a new company called Vector that makes riggers and rodholders. These riggers are built like tanks. They are all machined aluminum with sturdy booms. The only plastic I can find on them is the rollers on the end of the boom. They are much smaller than the Scottys, faster than Walkers and Big Jons (200' per minute), and priced right ( same ballpark as the others). The boom tips up too. E-mail me for a phone #, as I don't have it at my fingertips. I am not connected with the company, just a charterboat captain that is always looking for something better.
Good Luck, Frank

[yknot]

Found some numbers for Vector
1-888-675-1570
www.vectorsport.com

[Boatnut]

Yknot,
intersesting downriggers! Look like a real work of art..a bit pricey though. thanks for the info!
Mike(boatnut)

[KevinA]

Run Cannon Digitrolls....love 'em. Never had a problem.

[Boatnut]

Kevin,
i'd LOVE a pair of digi trolls...but...haven't won the lotto yet!
thanks for info.
Mike(boatnut)

[steelie7]

Mike, I too agree with the majority of the replies. The Big Jons are high quaility & the company goes the extra mile to keep the customer happy. I have 2 Captains Pack Electrics. After a couple seasons, one of the motors got a little noisy (still worked).
I called them and asked about the warranty. I was told to return them & let them have a look at them. They were out of warranty, but Big Jon replaced the motor at no charge. Take a look at 'em.
Good Luck!

[Airwave(OH)]

Hi Frank ---Hey guys Frank showed me these riggers. they look great. I don't think you could hurt one throwing it off a building. Low profile, strong,fast motor,it has everything it needs to be the best on the market. Can't wait to see how they do...Spring Salmon ---not far away.... Call me Frank

[Gunga Din]

I've got a pair of Cannon Mag 20s. Never a problem. My buddy has the digitrolls and outfishes me when using downriggers to bottom track when Lake Trout fishing. Again, never a problem. Mine have a fast retrieve, auto-stop at the boom, extendable boom.

[Jack]

I've had Big Jon's and Walkers on my boat for 15 years.
These 2 companies have been around making riggers longer than any body and no problems with either.
I recently sent my walkers in to upgrade to their new motor.
They are now twice as fast as my big jons.Even brand new they cost less than big jon, and a lot less than vector.also they take up less space than either and weigh only about 1/4 of a vector.They don't have preset depth though. only cannon digi troll has it but it costs plenty.