Downriggers

[Machias]

If you only troll a few times a year is it worth getting the electric downriggers or is the manual ones fine?  I could see me trolling a few times a year for Lake Trout, Kokanee and possibly Salmon.  But most of the time, I'll be bass, pike, walleye and crappie fishing.  As well as catfish and sturgeon a few times a year.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

[CP]

I run both at times.  Nothing wrong with a manual unless you are running deep, then they can be a pain.

[cavemann]

I ran manual for years..  in lakes they were fine, you are not dealing with tide, seaweed, jelly fish and bait checks so can set them and leave them.  No doubt electric are nice!!  But for what you are doing, much more practical to take on and off your boat and easier mount options with the manuals.  And they are bullet proof.  I bought a pair of cannons 15 years ago and never had an issue

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[pickardjw]

I have manual Penn's and have used electric on other people's boats. If the bite is hot, the electrics are definitely nice to have. But I've never had much trouble with them for the species you're mentioning. Down to 100' or so it's not bad to crank up. Running them at 180' for lakers was pretty rough though.

[Machias]

Awesome, thanks guys!!!!!!

[snit]

When fishing your gear deeper than 40', you will check your gear consistently more often when fishing with electrics, vs manuals IMO. The first larger sled I bought in 1997 had manuals. Used them 1 year and sold them. I'm now on boat #5, and each one has had Scotty electrics. The last current and prior boat have/had (4) ea. I know since The Flu they've really increased in price, but shopping used, you can still find them in the $300 range.

[Blacklab]

I prefer electric, but the most important this is braid for your cable, metal hums

[GWP]

For sure 'it depends'.
I ran one manual Scotty for some time, then picked up a Big Jon electric that needed repairs for cheap. Once I got it going and used electric I would not go back.
I have electronics that I can watch my presentation and can very the depth up or down real time to fairly closely match where I can see the fish all while watching the screen. Very easily to do with the electric downrigger. The manual downrigger was a little more involved to do that and I tended to just leave it at the depth it was.
Also, bringing up the downrigger to get it out of the way while controlling or watching the pole was simply hitting a switch.
My electric downriggers do not have an automatic cut off switch so I need to set the clutch so it does not strain the motor if the ball comes up and hits the arm.
I used to fish mostly lakes, and when it got warmer I would use a depth release set up on a quick clip on the downrigger cable to get unwanted fish (salmon) down to a cooler depth.
I guess I would say it just makes it easier all the way around. I have bad shoulders and if there is much going I would get pretty sore using the manual.
If you keep an eye out you can find them pretty cheap. Particularly if you are handy with tools and you get an 'off brand' with a simple up and down switch.

[metlhead]

If you go with used, be sure that all the connection components come with it. A low price rigger gets spendy if you need to buy cables and mounts.

[fishngamereaper]

It's only a couple hundred extra for electric
I used manuals for years but electric is money well spent.
Work smarter not harder...

[GWP]

If you go with used, be sure that all the connection components come with it. A low price rigger gets spendy if you need to buy cables and mounts.

Good advice. If you have the ability to make your own it becomes less of a problem, but it takes time and materials.

[Machias]

Awesome, thanks everyone for your thoughts!!

[Wingin it]

I’ve run both. I had Cannon manuals and Scotty electrics. The electrics are nice, but the manuals are plenty adequate. If you aren’t using them much and it’s sounds like you won’t then you can’t go wrong either way.

[Machias]

 

[Blacklab]

So how’s the outfitting of your new boat coming along.