Manual Downriggers

[Mossy]

Looking for opinions on short arm manual downriggers.  Going to start off with 1 for now to give it a try.  Cannon, scotty, others?  I'd like to stay away from anything clamp on.  Thanks

[JackOfAllTrades]

Hell, I used to fish regularly with a Meat Line.. LONG before down riggers were popular.  Nothing wrong with manual crankin.

-Steve

[Fish4Fun]

Before I stepped up to electric riggers I had manuals for years. Go with the Scotty manuals, with the crank handle on the top it doesn't matter if you are right or left handed. Makes a big difference, if someone else fishes with you.

[CP]

Penn hand cranks, there’s nothing better.  I have Scotty electrics but I make sure that I always have a least one Penn hand crank on broad just in case a Scotty gets finicky.

[rasbo]

woodman has manual auto powered by rasbo they are cannons and work great,I have the short ones on my boat now,would like the longer arms and a swivel base but I will settle with what I have

[Rick]

Before I stepped up to electric riggers I had manuals for years. Go with the Scotty manuals, with the crank handle on the top it doesn't matter if you are right or left handed. Makes a big difference, if someone else fishes with you.

I like Scotty electrics,but IMO their manuals suck. The way the handle is oriented on top,it just doesn't feel natural when you're retrieving your gear.

I much prefer the side crank like Cannon or Penn.

[Rick]

  Nothing wrong with manual crankin.

-Steve

Until you get into a hot bite and you're cranking up a 15lb ball every 5 minutes. I ran manuals one summer. One trip to Sekiu for Cohos and I sold them when I got home.

[MADMAX]

Just the opposite
Had 2 long boom scotty electrics, they were ok but when I sold my big boat they went with it.
 I went back to Penn hand cranks on my Duckworth.

[bowtech721]

penn hand cranks are where its at for manuals. I had scotty manuals for like two trips and went back to the penns.

[MIKEXRAY]

I had this same dilemma 5 years ago, I ended up getting a couple of Cannon manuals with the telescoping arms ( from a friend ) . I added the swivel base & they work great. I am glad I got the longer arm. The cranking for me is not that big of a deal, I am just a part time salmon fisher though. Mike

[Mossy]

I should say that I'm adding one of these to a 15ft gregor.  I wanted to stay in the $150-$200 range.  Was looking at one of these

http://store.cannondownriggers.com/category/325068/Easi-Troll%26%238482%3B_HS

[Rick]

I should say that I'm adding one of these to a 15ft gregor.  I wanted to stay in the $150-$200 range.  Was looking at one of these

http://store.cannondownriggers.com/category/325068/Easi-Troll%26%238482%3B_HS

If you plan on salmon fishing with it,get a bigger model. That model only has an 8lb weight capacity. By the time you factor in the drag from the flasher and weight,you'll have a ton of blowback (line angle) and will have to run a lot of cable to get your gear to the proper depth.

I'd find something that can run a 10lb ball minimum.

[Mossy]

Just going to be used for eastside lakes

[rasbo]

Just going to be used for eastside lakes

you will have plenty for lakes