Headed to the dark side - electric down riggers

[cohoho]

I, personally, do not like that lever clutch thingy on the Scottys, I like to be able to turn the knob to drop the ball as it seems much smoother to me.  The Cannon plugs are also nicer, though by no means perfectly sealed from corrosion.   

Exactly where my thoughts are at, that lever clutch doesn't seem well thought out during design.  The plugs are thin small and seen more than one get broken pretty quickly.  Cannon does have beefier plugs?   I thought I was swaying towards Scotty, then you showed up and reminded me of the things I do not like about them..  Hmmmmmm

[wildmanoutdoors]

The clutch is awesome. You adjust it with the nut on top of the spool. Its effortless and sweet if its set correctly. And is easy to do. Set it for the heaviest balls you will use. It should slip if hung up.

I always thought the Penn knobs were wierd. But thats after owning at least 8 Scotties. And they have never been in the shop...biggest issue's, keep the counters lubed. They freeze up and are near 30 bucks. Sometimes, very rarely, they slip a belt. And very rarely the belt will snap. I carry an extra.

Back when Narrows marine was in biz they repaired Scotty, Cannon and Penn. Stacks of Penns and Cannon electrics waiting for parts. If a Scotty came in, it was out the door in a jiffy.

As for the plug. Its ok for awhile. I converted all our boats to Deutch connectors. Water tight and stainless terminals.

Cannon and Penn need biz too. Keeps the market fair!

[sirmissalot]

Are you talking about the old Scotty plugs or the new style ones? The new style isn't that new so that's why I'm asking. I haven't seen a plug better than the new Scotty design plug and the cannon plugs are definitely no better, I've helped more than one friend put the Scotty plugs on their cannons.

As far as Scotty vs cannon there is no comparison in my opinion. The lever clutch is simple for me but its all I've really ever used. I only got talked into running cannons for one season and they were very hard to get used to. Ended up losing one when I got hung up, busted the base right off. Never seen that happen on a Scotty and I've hung up on stuff countless times. After I lost the one rigger and cannon wouldn't comment on the busted off base I switched back to Scotty... Easy decision.

I run the new high performance 2116's on my boat now and they are absolutely phenomenal. I just had an issue on a worn out gear that connects the motor to the belt and they sent me the upgraded replacements free, no questions asked. Always been that way with Scotty.

If you'd like to try some out my boat will be in Westport all summer, this weekend will probably be a tuna run but if not you're welcome to go out for some salmon.

[robodad]

Are you talking about the old Scotty plugs or the new style ones? The new style isn't that new so that's why I'm asking. I haven't seen a plug better than the new Scotty design plug and the cannon plugs are definitely no better, I've helped more than one friend put the Scotty plugs on their cannons.

Exactly, the new plugs are much better then the old push in socket ones. I just mounted mine under the rail high enough where they don't get bumped or wet and all is well, just plug in and twist and your set !!

[huntnphool]

I, personally, do not like that lever clutch thingy on the Scottys, I like to be able to turn the knob to drop the ball as it seems much smoother to me.  The Cannon plugs are also nicer, though by no means perfectly sealed from corrosion.   

Exactly where my thoughts are at, that lever clutch doesn't seem well thought out during design.  The plugs are thin small and seen more than one get broken pretty quickly.  Cannon does have beefier plugs?   I thought I was swaying towards Scotty, then you showed up and reminded me of the things I do not like about them..  Hmmmmmm

Scotty has a couple different styles of plugs, and for those that choose one down rigger over another based on that well..........you just are not thinking out of the box. It's a 12volt/two wire system, cut it off and put on whatever super duper, water resistant, unobtainium plug you want, problem solved!

As far as the lever, it actually works very well once you try it. Like I said, I've owned both, unlike most on here I would imagine, and way prefer the Scotty over the Cannon.

Good luck.

[Kc_Kracker]

i have had cannons, penns, and scottys, and even a few other brands, scottys are by far the best and toughest, and also the only ones rates for 15-18  lb balls, no other brand can handle them, we run 15 and its nice when your forced to buck tide and not have them 10's or 12's water skiing behind you 

[NRA4LIFE]

I took the plunge this year also.  Was fishing a bit deeper last year for silvers and the cranking got old.   I like those Penns but I've been informed I am now officially an old dude so no more cranking for me.  I bought 2 of the 2106's because my new boat was set up for Scotty's.  I also bought the new electric pot puller they just came out with and so far that is the bomb (could use a slightly longer boom though, I can fix that). 

[Kc_Kracker]

oooh 2106 can handle and 18 lb ball with a fast retrieve,  very nice!

[baldopepper]

check with Gary Krein at A-1 charters in Everett, think he's been using electric downriggers daily (extremely hard use) for at least 25 years.  Last I checked (may have changed) he wouldn't have a scotty on the boat. I ran a boat out of Edmonds for about 10 years (quit about 10 years ago) and at that time the Scotty's just wouldn't hold up to the daily abuse we put them thru.  Honestly can't say they haven't improved since then, so I won't personally give an opinion.

[Antlershed]

We have the Scotty 1106. Only electric I have used, but they haven't given me a reason to try anything else 

[sirmissalot]

check with Gary Krein at A-1 charters in Everett, think he's been using electric downriggers daily (extremely hard use) for at least 25 years.  Last I checked (may have changed) he wouldn't have a scotty on the boat. I ran a boat out of Edmonds for about 10 years (quit about 10 years ago) and at that time the Scotty's just wouldn't hold up to the daily abuse we put them thru.  Honestly can't say they haven't improved since then, so I won't personally give an opinion.

Mike Jamboretz of Jambo's Sportfishing, in my opinion one if the best charter captains in the northwest, strictly fishes Scotty's. If we want to start comparing that way. 

Also scottys are actually rated for up to a 20lb ball although the 20's don't get used often, just because I feel they aren't needed, but when fishing those big blue dot or compass rose kings down on the bottom they sure some in handy.

The retrieval speed on my 2116's is crazy fast as well, and very quiet now without those old annoying counters.

[MtnMuley]

I would recommend the Canon Digitrolls if you feel the need to bottom track.  Where I fish, I feel they're the best out there.  If you don't plan on tracking, I would recommend the Scotty's.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I would recommend the Canon Digitrolls if you feel the need to bottom track.  Where I fish, I feel they're the best out there.  If you don't plan on tracking, I would recommend the Scotty's.

What happens when your digi troll drops 10 feet because of bottom structure and your rods already cranked down for the debth before the 10 foot drop? Always wondered about this.

Do you have to leave your rod with slack in it so it dosent pop the clip?

[MtnMuley]

Yep.  Loosen the drags.  Gotta thumb it when you set the hook, then adjust the drag.  No 10 foot shelfs where I fish, just gradual changes, so it's not as difficult as it seems.

[Kc_Kracker]

like Chad said, and 99% of us said, Scotty, period.  I wouldn't piss on cannons if they were on fire, and Ive owned a FEW