Downriggers revisited

[Mossy]

Last time I asked about manual downriggers for my old boat(never bought one) but as some know I just picked up a hewescraft 180 sportsman so.....I am trying to decide if I want to go electric now. There are a few places where I fish over here on the east side which would probably benefit from a downrigger.  That being said, I've been checking reviews for the past few days, on here it seems scotty is the preferred electric. 
I'm not sure how often they will be used so I'm thinking about picking up 1 electric and 1 manual for the boat.  I fish mostly alone so that's kind of how I'm justifying my decision....thoughts?

Buddy of mine has 2 walker elec. and likes them a lot.  Mixed reviews for cannon and scotty.  Seems people are bashing scotty for being belt driven and cables wearing out early.  Cannons for price and lack of close repair centers.

[FC]

I have a pair of Scotty electrics (with swivel bases) and like them a lot! They are compact, have good retrieval speed and seem to be pretty tough. They clean up easily, are easy to work on, have TONS of local support for parts or repair and they are the cheapest electric on the market. The swivel bases are extremely handy as you can just pivot the rigger out of the way whenever you need to with no screwing around with the pivot bolt and risking dropping it over the side or anything neat like that.

[fishinmike]

Mossy, If you ever get to this side and want to do some salmon fishing let me know. I can show you how easy and reliable my Scotty dr's have been. I have had them for 7 years and only had 2 belts break, 1 was my fault for sure. Like FC said easy to use, easy to clean, easy to fix, parts all over and inexpensive. No complaints here and I fish evryday I possibly can so they get used alot.

[Dhoey07]

Not sure about electrics because i have never owned one.  But for manual, i don't think you can beat Penn

[sirmissalot]

Scotty is the only way to go. I run 15lb balls and fish down to 400ft, they handle it no problem. I fished with cannons on a buddies boat once, I hung up on bottom and it busted the base and almost lost the whole downrigger. I've hung up on bottom or crab pots countless times with Scottys and have never had a single issue. I also like to run braided line instead of the cable, the cannon electrics can't run braided line.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[Mossy]

I have a pair of Scotty electrics (with swivel bases) and like them a lot! They are compact, have good retrieval speed and seem to be pretty tough. They clean up easily, are easy to work on, have TONS of local support for parts or repair and they are the cheapest electric on the market. The swivel bases are extremely handy as you can just pivot the rigger out of the way whenever you need to with no screwing around with the pivot bolt and risking dropping it over the side or anything neat like that.

Seems there are a few models to choose from....1099,1101,1106.  Which ones are you taking about?

Mossy, If you ever get to this side and want to do some salmon fishing let me know. I can show you how easy and reliable my Scotty dr's have been. I have had them for 7 years and only had 2 belts break, 1 was my fault for sure. Like FC said easy to use, easy to clean, easy to fix, parts all over and inexpensive. No complaints here and I fish evryday I possibly can so they get used alot.

Great offer but I think I might believe you

[jeepster]

scotty has awesome support/customer service, and you can find parts anywhere, i dont think ive ever seen cannon parts out in the boonies on the coast, neah bay/sekiu or up in canada, overall, i think scottys are better quality too

scotty is all i will ever fish with, ive been using the manual scottys for years now (might sell em soon pm if interested), and never had a problem, ive used tons of scotty electrics on charter boats and friends boats, the only other downrigger that id consider using is a penn manual. hopefully soon i will have a new pair of electrics...

i think that having electrics are not only a convenience, but in some ways a saftey feature, especially when fishing alone. ive been in a few situations where i was in heavy current, and had to reel up my rod, crank up the downrigger, steer the boat, and avoid hitting other boats or ending up on the rocks, and the boat usually ends up getting turned around, lines get tangled up, and it just makes a huge mess... its just one less thing to have to worry about.. just push a button, reel in the line, and thats it

[fishinmike]

Mine are the 1106's

[FC]

Seems there are a few models to choose from....1099,1101,1106.  Which ones are you taking about?

Mine are the 1101's.

[lokidog]

I've got electric Cannons, but mostly because 1. I got a great deal on my first manual ones and I didn't want to have to buy new bases and 2. my bottomline depthfinder that I had interfaces with the Cannon downriggers.

Humminbird depthfinders can interface with the Cannons as well so they can be controlled from the cockpit if desired.

There are Cannon service centers up and down the west side, in Wenatchee, Ellensberg, and Pasco, Colville, several in Spokane, Moscow, and Lewiston.  Not sure how that makes them scarce?

I like the way that the Scotty's automatic stop works.  I have never heard anyone with Scottys complain about them.

[WCTaxidermy]

Scotty is the only way to go. I run 15lb balls and fish down to 400ft, they handle it no problem. I fished with cannons on a buddies boat once, I hung up on bottom and it busted the base and almost lost the whole downrigger. I've hung up on bottom or crab pots countless times with Scottys and have never had a single issue. I also like to run braided line instead of the cable, the cannon electrics can't run braided line.

Why can't the Canon electrics run braided line?

[Mossy]

I don't want to over/under do it.  It's not a big boat so I'm having a hard time figuring out which of the scotty models will best suit me.  1099 is compact but I assume doesn't have a swivel base.  1011 is bigger with a 30" boom and I think does have a swivel base.  1016's boom is probably pretty over kill for any type of fishing for me

[Mossy]

Scotty is the only way to go. I run 15lb balls and fish down to 400ft, they handle it no problem. I fished with cannons on a buddies boat once, I hung up on bottom and it busted the base and almost lost the whole downrigger. I've hung up on bottom or crab pots countless times with Scottys and have never had a single issue. I also like to run braided line instead of the cable, the cannon electrics can't run braided line.

Why can't the Canon electrics run braided line?

Could be wrong but doesn't it have something to do with the auto stop feature?  Needs the SS line to work correctly?

[Cap.Silver]

Have 2 Cannons and 1 Scotty 1101 I love my Scotty ,haven't had any problems either.Enough parts,accessories and most stores have parts  too if you're away from your home turf .... I would do Scotty DR IMHO .
Depending on your boat setup I would at least go 1101 - one reason - you can easily switch the arm to 1106 telescopic arm -the mount is same on both .I have bought one arm at outdoor emporium for $80 - because I was losing balls by kicker propeler cutting  off my cable  in heavy current . 

[lokidog]

Scotty is the only way to go. I run 15lb balls and fish down to 400ft, they handle it no problem. I fished with cannons on a buddies boat once, I hung up on bottom and it busted the base and almost lost the whole downrigger. I've hung up on bottom or crab pots countless times with Scottys and have never had a single issue. I also like to run braided line instead of the cable, the cannon electrics can't run braided line.

Why can't the Canon electrics run braided line?

Could be wrong but doesn't it have something to do with the auto stop feature?  Needs the SS line to work correctly?

There is a concurrent thread on braid vs cable for downriggers.  Yes, the short stop function of the Cannons will not work with braid as they stop when the current through the cable, water, and boat grounding is interupted by the cable leaving the water.

[BigD]

I have a pair of electric Scottys, had them for about 6 years. Can't complain, I have had no problems with them and have done very little maintenance. Still have the origional belts.

I used (I think) cannons on a friends boat a couple times, seemed to work good but the only thing I didn't like was they were power down, so they used power in either direction. This generally is not a problem, I just like to conserve my power.

If you can afford them go with electric, there are alot of times when the bottom changes frequently and you are on the downrigger alot. With the manuals people tend to get lazy and not stay in the strike zone.

[lokidog]

I've got electric Cannons, but mostly because 1. I got a great deal on my first manual ones and I didn't want to have to buy new bases and 2. my bottomline depthfinder that I had interfaces with the Cannon downriggers.

Humminbird depthfinders can interface with the Cannons as well so they can be controlled from the cockpit if desired.

There are Cannon service centers up and down the west side, in Wenatchee, Ellensberg, and Pasco, Colville, several in Spokane, Moscow, and Lewiston.  Not sure how that makes them scarce?

I like the way that the Scotty's automatic stop works.  I have never heard anyone with Scottys complain about them.

Oops, the list is for dealers not service centers..... 

[Mossy]

 I think the 1101 will fit the bill, give it a try and decide later on if I want to run a 2nd electric or not. 

[FC]

I think the 1101 will fit the bill, give it a try and decide later on if I want to run a 2nd electric or not.

When it comes to releases for your new 'rigger, don't hesitate to buy the cheap (shortest) ones, some wire leader sleeves and a few yards of 200lb test mono. I make mine 6' long so I can snag them with the boat hook without getting up from my seat

[lokidog]

Do NOT use the Scotty plastic downrigger ball clip, the flat spring piece likes to slide sideways and drop balls.

[Mossy]

Isn't funny how you get sold on something then do a 180?  I gotta say, I could be one of the worst at spending many hours on researching a purchase.  I'm leaning more towards some Walker Kokanee units for a few reasons
1.  Smaller,compact design
2.  Comes with swivel base
3.  Auto up and down
4.  More positive reviews on the big box store websites
5.  Ease of use
 

I understand this isn't a huge purchase but I hate taking/sending things back.  My buddy swears by them and he's pretty hard to impress.  They don't seem to be very well known on this side of the country but they are very popular in the great lakes area.

This decision could be worse than buying the boat

[Mossy]

Does anyone have opinions/experience on these units?

[FC]

I have zero experience with those and my opinion would be based on local support. Can you get normal wear and tear/breakage type parts locally or would you have to order them? I know with Scotty, Canon or Penn you can get all that stuff locally at any fishing store and nearly any sporting goods store. 

[sirmissalot]

My brother inlaw had the walkers on his boat. They seemed to work. My scotty's put a big ol grin on his face when he used them though ( I run the 2116's)

[Mossy]

Went to Cabelas to have a look at the 3 major brands and here's my observations.
  The walker IS smaller, maybe too small....looks like a pretty simple to use design.  What I didn't like is the boom and the front roller, not to say they are cheaply made but they kind of look cheap.
 My buddy said the Scotty looks like you got a microwave laying on top of your pole when you are trolling   But I disagree, compared to the Walker...sure,  but they aren't big.  They look like a solid stout unit with a "makes more sense" type of front roller
 The Cannon they had was the new Mag 5 st.  Haven't seen any reviews for it yet, the service rep said they just got them in so he doesn't know anything about them.  First impressions was how big it was...it's a bigger unit than the Scotty for sure, plastic base but they are probably the best looking of the bunch.

So I'm gonna drink the Scotty koolaid....Kind of sealed the deal when I stopped by wholesale sports which carried cannons and Scottys.  They had a whole shelf of parts and accessories for the Scottys and half a shelf for the cannons.  My boat wasn't prewired for electric downriggers so I'm going to need install a female plug mount and guess what?, they had those too.
They had the 1099's and 1106's but no 1101's so I just have to hit the submit order button and I should be on my way....

[fishinmike]

I think you made a good choice, congrats. Make sure you always keep a few extra parts in case something goes wrong. Most Scotty parts are fairly inexpensive. I always have at least 1 extra belt, extra terminal gear, extra fuses, wire crimps, stoppers, different electrical connectors, wire cutters, and a crimper. It all fits in a small box out of the way, but there if I need it.

[Mossy]

I have a pair of electric Scottys, had them for about 6 years. Can't complain, I have had no problems with them and have done very little maintenance. Still have the origional belts.

I used (I think) cannons on a friends boat a couple times, seemed to work good but the only thing I didn't like was they were power down, so they used power in either direction. This generally is not a problem, I just like to conserve my power.

If you can afford them go with electric, there are alot of times when the bottom changes frequently and you are on the downrigger alot. With the manuals people tend to get lazy and not stay in the strike zone.

And that's a valid point with the batteries.  I wasn't really thinking about conservation just convenience. 

[lokidog]

Not really an issue with the batteries and the Cannons as you will be recharging more than you will use, that is, if your engine is running while you are using them.  I do like the controlled decent of the electric feed on the Cannons.  You can also release the clutch on the Cannons anbd let the ball fall unassisted if you prefer that. 

I think they are both good downriggers and i would go more on price than brand.  The one thing I don't like about the Scottys is the mounting system with that one holed plate, but maybe the downriggers mount to it more solidly than my shrimp pot puller does.  It waggles back and forth as the boat rocks since there is only one point of lockdown to the plate.

[Hunting7mm]

scotty 1106's   

[jeepster]

id say the scotty koolaide tastes pretty good 

you made the right choice

[DeerHarvester]

Not really an issue with the batteries and the Cannons as you will be recharging more than you will use, that is, if your engine is running while you are using them.  I do like the controlled decent of the electric feed on the Cannons.  You can also release the clutch on the Cannons anbd let the ball fall unassisted if you prefer that. 

I think they are both good downriggers and i would go more on price than brand.  The one thing I don't like about the Scottys is the mounting system with that one holed plate, but maybe the downriggers mount to it more solidly than my shrimp pot puller does.  It waggles back and forth as the boat rocks since there is only one point of lockdown to the plate.

The downrigger mount has a four bolt design.  Very solid. 

[lokidog]

Not really an issue with the batteries and the Cannons as you will be recharging more than you will use, that is, if your engine is running while you are using them.  I do like the controlled decent of the electric feed on the Cannons.  You can also release the clutch on the Cannons anbd let the ball fall unassisted if you prefer that. 

I think they are both good downriggers and i would go more on price than brand.  The one thing I don't like about the Scottys is the mounting system with that one holed plate, but maybe the downriggers mount to it more solidly than my shrimp pot puller does.  It waggles back and forth as the boat rocks since there is only one point of lockdown to the plate.

I know the plate with the horizontal hole in it has four mounting bolts...  it is how the downrigger mounts to that plate that bothers me.  My pot puller attaches with one cross bolt and rocks back and forth on that pivot point.  I have never fished with Scottys so I don't know for sure if it is an issue with the downrigger mounting.

On a side note, I recently discovered that Cannon's lifetime warrantee only applies to the boom, spool, and frame, not the motor or power cords or switch covers that "lifetime warrantee" would implie.   
The downrigger mount has a four bolt design.  Very solid.

Her's the mount I'm talking about.