Lake Champlain United - Forums

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.

PM Sent

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.

Turn the handle toward you sharply. It releases the friction clutch. Good luck, Matt

Thanks all. That was it turning the handle backward.