Downriggers revisited

[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