What's the best downrigger stacker release?

[Gumbo]

I've got two styles:

1. The Cannon release with the three fingers that wrap around the cable and with a release adjustable by a thumb wheel.

2. The two-clip release with the snap-lock that attaches to the downrigger cable, the release that clips onto the cable, and the second release that goes to the line. These are the click-type releases.

I'm not satisfied with either one. If anyone has a better solution, I'd like to hear it.

Thanks.

[Fin Addict]

I prefer the #2 option from Offshore. If they are run properly I find them nearly flawless. The Roemer release is also popular for stacking. I have used them. Nice but I still prefer the Offshores w/ the dual pinch pads and clips that you said you do not like. If you were using these in the Cannon brand w/ the variable tension (these suck!!), try the Offshores, you will be pleasantly suprised.

[hammertime]

>I prefer the #2 option from
>Offshore. If they are run
>properly I find them nearly
>flawless. The Roemer release is
>also popular for stacking. I
>have used them. Nice but
>I still prefer the Offshores
>w/ the dual pinch pads
>and clips that you said
>you do not like. If
>you were using these in
>the Cannon brand w/ the
>variable tension (these suck!!), try
>the Offshores, you will be
>pleasantly suprised.
i also like the offshore clips but beware of the crimps on the cable, they come apart somtimes, i run a lot of hrs per week with downriggers and thats the only thing i dont like with them, i just redo the crimp on them and ya got the best stacker ya could get, also, if ya are looking for a cheaper way to make singles, buy a stacker and cut and redo and ya got 2 singles for a couple of bucks more than a reg single. tight lines ( hammertime )

[Coondog]

Cabelas sells alligator chip realeaes for planner boards, slip the line in, give it 6 twists and clip it on the wire, never never fails. I think they come six to a pack for about seven bucks, beats the cannons as there about 12 dollars each. LOL COONDOG

[Ridge Runner]

I like to use a combination of a Roemer and a single off-shore. To me you get the best of both worlds with this combo. Any questions just e-mail me and I can give you the details. richnkay@btigate.com Rich

[Bob G2]

Gunga, is that you???? Anyhoots, the stacker that I keep going back to is half hitching a #12 or #16 rubber band to the d-rigger cable, make a loop in your line with 4-5 twists, then connecting the line and the 'band with a paper clip. Simple, effective, and
easier to retrieve when you bring up the ball. I've tried the Offshore, Cannon and Walker stackers, and still like the rooober band method the best. Buenos Noches, Amigo.

[Gumbo]

Yea, it's me. I figured I'd better conform to the WC defacto standard naming schema and declare my western origin rather than use the lowly water boy's namesake of Kipling's poem.

I appreciate all the suggestions. I'm not sure what the Roemer is, but I'll try the Off-Shore's. I'll have to try the rubber band idea too. I tried rubber bands once and had a less than positive experience. I may have to revisit that, however.

Thanks.

[Fin Addict]

See the Roemers @ http://www.roemerrelease.com/

[cisco]

If you haven't tried them, use a slider instead of a stacker. The major advantage is getting rid of extra equipment. With a slider you simply use the second lure on one line. Sliders can be left free on the downrigger rod line (to seek its own depth) or can be "set" above the bottom lure by using small rubber bands.

With sliders you can retrieve the downrigger weight all the way up without having to adapt to a stacker release on the cable.

I realize the question did not ask about sliders, but they are an excellent alternative to stackers.

[hammertime]

i also use sliders most of the time, you only have one rod on each downrigget to mess with and still two lures, the slider can be fixed just above the main line or free sliding, the slider just slides down the line with fish on and makes the fish very easy to net without any hassels. length of line may vary but i use 6 ft as a rule. only way to really go any more with rod limits on lines, 4 downriggers, 8 lures running. leaves rods to run boards or dipsy,s or both !there are sliders you can buy or just take a piece of surgical tubing, about a inch long, cut a notch in it and run your fishing line through the tubing to the notch,then stick a barrel in the notch and run line through it and out the other end of the tubbing. let out your main line on your downrigger the length ya want to let out, drop the downrigger down a few feet and pull the line on your slider and let it down to the depth ya want to fish. if ive got ya confused on this, just e-mail and ill try to be better at explaining to ya on this.

[Chairman]

If you place the short clip above the snap that goes on the cable you will almost totally eliminate the cable breaking at the crimp sleeve. I have salmon fished a whole season without breaking a stacker.
There is a diagram on the package that shows the proper placement of the clip on the cable.