Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: KP-Skagit on July 30, 2025, 04:09:04 PM

Title: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: KP-Skagit on July 30, 2025, 04:09:04 PM: In the last year I switched all my salmon reels over to use braided line. That may be a bit controversial to some, it has been with my fishing buddies. I went with 100# braid which has an equivalent diameter to a 20# mono specifically because I was concerned DR clips might have an issue holding anything less.

Nevertheless I did end up having some problems over the past king opener when I was dragging bottom in 100 to 120 FOW. Interestingly, its one rod in particular, I tried a brand new clip, same issues. I think that flasher had a little more action than the other.

These are full size Scotty clips, I bury the line to the bottom of the clip and put the max grip tab on.

Anyone have any insights to using braid in DR clips? A different kind of clip I can use? Some other trick?
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: CP on July 30, 2025, 04:13:28 PM: Add a mono leader.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: WSU on July 30, 2025, 04:25:58 PM: Wrap the line around a toothpick.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: metlhead on July 30, 2025, 04:29:20 PM: 25' of 60# mono topshot. It'll last for years
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Mfowl on July 30, 2025, 04:40:51 PM: You can try these clips. They do work for braid pretty well but I have mixed feelings on them as sometimes they are hard to pop out of if you are not hooked up on a fish. I actually broke a rod a few weeks back trying to pop out of one.
I went back to using mono in full on my DR rods the last couple years.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: carlyoungs on July 30, 2025, 05:06:21 PM: Just curious why did you switch over to braided? I can't recall seeing anyone fish downrigggers with braided line. I've never had an issue with mono.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Skillet on July 30, 2025, 05:21:47 PM: Quote from: WSU on July 30, 2025, 04:25:58 PM
Wrap the line around a toothpick.

This for the easy solution. I tried the bobbin clips for a while when I was running brain mainline, but had the same issue of difficult releases as Mfowl had.

I ended up going back to mono on my downrigger rods. Lots more stretch, helping to keep the fish pinned with barbless hooks, imo.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Stein on July 30, 2025, 05:30:06 PM: Like others, I use a 50' topshot of 50# mono to clip into the downrigger release as well as give a bit of stretch if needed. When fishing deeper, the braid has far less drag when trolling. The topshot is also nice to know that when it comes back to the reel it's time to get the net out.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: GWP on July 30, 2025, 06:04:50 PM: I switched out to braid (80#) with and without mono for downrigger's and generally use either a magnetic release or the rubber band method. No issues with either. I kind of prefer the rubber band method as it has some give and will sort of slow down and speed up on its own, but does require breaking the rubber band if I want to pop it loose with the pole. Usually it breaks if a fish is on unless it is a pretty small fish.
I have also used the rubber band method WITH the magnetic release if I am using straight braid to have the 'stretch effect'.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: ASHQUACK on July 30, 2025, 06:25:52 PM: I just twist a loop in my braid and pinch the loop in the clip.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Utzie on July 30, 2025, 07:31:46 PM: Chamberlain Downrigger Release

I really like these. I run braid also.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Happy Gilmore on July 30, 2025, 10:05:27 PM: I tried it on one rod. Nothing but problems and jellyfish goo sticks to braid especially bad adding to the issue. Have one with a topshot now and ill junk it after this season. Been fishing 250-300' consistently and have not lost or gained any fish with one or the other.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Happy Gilmore on July 30, 2025, 10:08:01 PM: I've rigged up some clips im buying from a east coast supplier with long tuna cord. They work with braid better than scotty but, still best with 20lb. Im also starting to run a couple on 30lb for extra deep and swift currents.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: WSU on July 30, 2025, 11:20:49 PM: Quote from: Skillet on July 30, 2025, 05:21:47 PM
Quote from: WSU on July 30, 2025, 04:25:58 PM
Wrap the line around a toothpick.

This for the easy solution. I tried the bobbin clips for a while when I was running brain mainline, but had the same issue of difficult releases as Mfowl had.

I ended up going back to mono on my downrigger rods. Lots more stretch, helping to keep the fish pinned with barbless hooks, imo.

I think the canucks have it figured out. Long limber rods and mono. Fish just stay pinned. even when your real is slow.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Happy Gilmore on July 30, 2025, 11:58:04 PM: Canadians? Dont give them credit for that
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: 30.06 on July 31, 2025, 02:43:06 AM: (https://johnssportinggoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Sams_Release2.jpg)
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I use 80# braid on all downrigger rods now. Occasionally need to replace the rubber grommet on the bobbin. You can tighten the screw to keep it set, and still pop off on a fish, dropping as deep you want, with as heavy drag gear and fast troll as you want. This is what they use to fish DR's 4-500 feet down way out in the Ocean.

I used 20# Mono for years with many, many different releases and like Scotty Power Grips best. But while I was slow to convert, these are far superior in every way!
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: KP-Skagit on July 31, 2025, 08:49:33 AM: Thanks for the advice all. Looks like a different release might be an answer.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: cavemann on July 31, 2025, 09:44:09 AM: I've also wrapped a small piece of paper towel around the braid and clip it and used some of mentioned tricks but there is fine line between keeping it clipped and as mentioned not being able to get it to release.. I went with mono leader as well reluctantly worried about knot failure.. no issues and won't go back.

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Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: metlhead on July 31, 2025, 02:46:10 PM: I found a very simple braid to mono knot and a dab of Gorilla glue to smooth it out. Mono breaks before the knot fails.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: Gentrys on July 31, 2025, 04:05:24 PM: 30# flouro or mono topshot with standard scotty release clips. Was fishing 100-150' of braid on the downriggger the past month with no problem.
Title: Re: DR Clips and Braided Mainline
Post by: EnglishSetter on July 31, 2025, 04:44:05 PM: I had pretty good luck with pro releases. I ran mono topshots, but some crew ran braid. Yeh, sometimes you couldn't pop them loose to bring them up and had to come up with the ball. I think that was due to the release twisting underway.

The pro releases were pretty good at avoiding false releases due to jelly as the fish has more leverage than the mainline to rod.

I can't recall ever having a legal fish not pop the release.

I ran 200# braid on the rigger with a mono topshots as well. That was my solution before they came up with different ways to keep the clip from riding up the downrigger line.