Used Big John Down Riggers

Post Reply
User avatar
AmFishFil Thinking
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2020 10:07 am
Species: Trout, Salmon, Bass, Pike, Per

Used Big John Down Riggers

Post by AmFishFil Thinking »

I bought a couple of used Big John manual crank down riggers in a yard sale this summer to get into lake trout and salmon fishing. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to release the clutch to let it unwind or go down. It will only real up. I looked at the Big John Manual and it said to turn the knob on the left to the left. I cannot seem to get it to turn at all. Anyone else use these or know what I am missing? Thanks.
Big John.jpg
Big John.jpg (82.04 KiB) Viewed 2297 times
FishPole Thinking
User avatar
popster
Posts: 758
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:00 pm
Species: Salmo Salar Sebago
Location: Burlington

Re: Used Big John Down Riggers

Post by popster »

PM Sent
Bill
"POINTER"
User avatar
finsntins
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2015 4:58 pm
Species: salmon
Location: old forge,ny/little salmon river,mexico,ny

Re: Used Big John Down Riggers

Post by finsntins »

i know with cannons you just turn the handle backwards which backs the clutch off and allows it to go down.then just turn the handle forwards to engage the clutch to stop it from going down.
Miss B.Haven' sportfishing
dry net
Posts: 328
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2016 5:34 pm
Species: cold water

Re: Used Big John Down Riggers

Post by dry net »

Turn the handle toward you sharply. It releases the friction clutch. Good luck, Matt
User avatar
AmFishFil Thinking
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2020 10:07 am
Species: Trout, Salmon, Bass, Pike, Per

Re: Used Big John Down Riggers

Post by AmFishFil Thinking »

Thanks all. That was it turning the handle backward.
FishPole Thinking
Post Reply