Downrigger Release

[Bluebill]

I am new to using downriggers, What are the best releases that dont need constant adjustment? Thank you in advance.

[Reelax]

Blacks are simple and easy to learn as well as small… been using em for 20 years.

https://a.co/d/8NveLXV



Chamberlains great for adjustability and down tension, but hey are like pulling a brick thru the water…

https://a.co/d/eaAS6Z4

[TUnamas]

Blacks or Chamberlains. I've become accustomed to both. Before I sold the boat I used Chamberlains. They are thick, but the fish don't care. The adjustability is consistent, and set right, they are more sensitive to lighter bites. I also fish with friends using Blacks. Easy! Set right, no issue! My saltwater experience with bigger fish is Blacks. You can't go wrong with either.

[Digitroll Fishing]

I have used both Black's (Ontario) and briefly Chamberlains 3-4 times over the years on Champlain. I like the Scotty releases as they are very simple with no need to twist the line and they seem to provide a good hook up with few lost fish. I use them on both lakes the last few years. With shakers due to the heavy mono connecting the the downriver weight 2 ft above with our release you can see the shakers bouncing. Being 2 feet above makes it easier to set them. If you don't have enough twists in the line with Blacks or Chamberlains the tension makes the lure slide all the way to the release thru the metal clip that holds the twisted loop. It really doesn't get any simpler than setting a Scotty! Especially having guests on the boat setting lines.

[finsntins]

We pretty much do the same as ron and for the same reasons.while I use blacks for pulling flasher flies,I always use a pinch pad on a tether for running spoons,either Scotty’s or offshore.you will almost always see a bite using a pinch pad on a tether,might not release but you will usually see the rod tip bouncing,so no dragging around dinks screwing up your rigger spread.another key to this is to have a nice long,light action rigger Rod.

[Jump]

I used to see Keith Chamberlain up at the Catfish Creek fishing camp at Lake Ontario. One evening I was down at the dock getting right and ready for the next days equipment carnage. Chamberlain happened by and the subject had turned to release and hook up percentage. I mentioned having noticed an improvement in my own performance since switching from Cannon offshore (pinch pad types) to Blacks type releases (with and without rubber bands). Then and there Keith presented me with two of his creations and went into great detail about vertical and horizontal adjustability. Then we parted company and I studied these gizmos that relied on magnetism for setting horizontal tension. I was doubtful that force could remain constant over time and although these were gifted others were to be far more expensive than the Blacks. Tossed them down in the cuddy and continued with the old tried and true.
Next year here comes Mr. Chamberlain to inquire how I liked his product and when I told him I had yet to use them all conversation with the man ceased and desisted.
So, properly chastised, I put one on the business end of my rigger cable, caught a fish and have used them religiously ever since.
Bear in mind the differences between rod tension and release tension, as I am sure most of you have experienced, are dramatic in that Great Lake fishery where rigger depth often exceeds 130 feet in August. That's a bunch of water drag and ya gotta crank the rod down hard to get the desired hookset for it's part in the process..."Tight lines as they say". And now whataya gonna do when the 7 pound Brown latches onto the lure instead a 30 pound Chinook?
By God Rick's "Dual Tension" releases take these sometimes highly separate factors into account, and for the sake of consistency, I have used them in all applications except flat lining ever since. Maybe 25 years now.
But alas I sing my praises to late and have never again received another single free one...Plus shipping from Barton Vermont I might add.
My two cents on releases
But still woe is me,
I remain
Piscatorialy Impoverished Parenteau

And to make matters worse Todd, over at Crazy Ivan, now separates me from any money I might have saved! C'mon man! I never said anything bad about your lures...Even if you are in cahoots with Jeff.

There is one more complaint for the deaf ear: That Chamberlain triangular connection to the rigger weight is a true test for this mere mortal. Anybody got a secret latching trick? My cold fingers hurt just thinking about it.

24 shopping days till Christmas and I anxiously await the gift a Yozurri Purple Brown Trout lure. Hurry Santa, Spring is not so far away.
Who remember that old Salem cigarette commercial?...Take a puff and it's Spring time.

Jump
Hey Superman, ya got a minute? Snap the thingy onto the weight please.

[Gecha (Gerry)]

I have been using Scotty's pinch pads for many years now, on Champlain, Ontario, East or West Coast. They are very easy to use and very noticeable rod tip bouncing if they don't release.

[Digitroll Fishing]

Scotty's very simple to use and it really reduced our lost fish with better hook sets pulling out of the pinch pads here in Champlain. Even with Flasher / Flies in Ontario they worked very well for us. 45 years of trying!

[Mistress]

Personally I have tried them all, I probably have $300 of different releases from Chamberlains to Blacks and more in my boat box and have found the Bimini releases are the best all around and are only $12/pair off Amazon! Easy to adjust and rugged and have stood up to at least 2 rigger hang ups, can't say enough about them!

Good news/bad news on the Purple Brown Trout Yo Zuri Pins Minnows Jump! I called the Yo Zuri distributor in Port St Luci FL to inquire if they had any old stock kicking around and they don't, BUT if we order 500 of them they would likely run a batch. Better get your letter out to Santa ASAP!

[Jump]

Bimini releases
Never heard of them but am always willing to try a better mouse trap
Good intel on the Purple Brown Trout, Pat
Seems to me Todd over at Crazy Ivan had made a bulk purchase pitch to Yozurri a while back. Maybe Santa lives in Salisbury?
For my part I would be willing to Spring for 10 or 20 ea. Spread these options out across the message board and the minimum quantity you mention would seem do-able

Tanks you monsieur
Jump

[traymond34]

I like the Scotty release also. Occasionally the blacks release can be a little difficult to dial in if you are using a dodger or cowbells