DR gear for Trout and Kokes

[Idstud]

Anyone make there own releases?.... I order clips online and just make my own using 150 lb mono and clevises... For straight to ball I use a large duo snap and for stacking, small halibut clips with rubber tubing.... Cost me about 3.00 per release.

Yes, Also see Mikes post above he even makes his own clips.

[hewesfisher]

I don't see how it would be any different than any other release? Without a pull stick or the Scotty line retriever (what I use) I'd have lean out to reach my Scotty minis.

The Chamberlain releases connect directly inline between the downrigger and ball or the stacking on right on the line. Others have line that extends them away from the cable so you can use a retriever to pull them close to you how ever long your line is.

Have to admit, it's been a while since I checked them out. Even with the Scotty minis, I have to lean over the edge of the boat and my Scotty's only have 30" booms. Since I already have retrievers in-line, it wouldn't be a big deal for me and the adjustable tension feature would be a huge plus.

[G-Man]

I make my own releases using 100lb test line or greater and some crimps. I use 48" booms on my riggers so I have 5' of line between the clip and snap. I typically use the Scotty minis or regular sized clips depending on species and gear used. As has been mentioned many times, the long release line keeps one from needing to hang over the gunwale while putting the line into the clip and keeps the weight in the water so as not to bang the side of your boat.

For trout and kokanee most any light weight clothespin style release will get the job done and making your own release system is a snap. Berkley Big Game line in 100+ lb test is relatively inexpensive and works great. Crimps, you only need two for each rig, are cheap as well.

One last item. If you ever have trouble releasing your line from the clip, don't just reef on it repeatedly, bring up the weight and release the line by hand. No point in potentially snapping a rod or breaking your line out of frustration, remember, you need to bring up the weight to re-attach the line anyway.

[Bodofish]

I make my own releases using 100lb test line or greater and some crimps. I use 48" booms on my riggers so I have 5' of line between the clip and snap. I typically use the Scotty minis or regular sized clips depending on species and gear used. As has been mentioned many times, the long release line keeps one from needing to hang over the gunwale while putting the line into the clip and keeps the weight in the water so as not to bang the side of your boat.

For trout and kokanee most any light weight clothespin style release will get the job done and making your own release system is a snap. Berkley Big Game line in 100+ lb test is relatively inexpensive and works great. Crimps, you only need two for each rig, are cheap as well.

One last item. If you ever have trouble releasing your line from the clip, don't just reef on it repeatedly, bring up the weight and release the line by hand. No point in potentially snapping a rod or breaking your line out of frustration, remember, you need to bring up the weight to re-attach the line anyway.

+1.... Me too.

[Larry3215]

Yup, that can be a downside, but my Cannon downriggers pivot so its no big deal.

[Bodofish]

Yup, that can be a downside, but my Cannon downriggers pivot so its no big deal.

Meh, pivot, Scotty's pivot too as do Penn's, with a big ball on the end it's a lot easier to just grab the clip with a stick and hook than screw with pivoting and slamming the lead ball into the side of your boat. Not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

[hewesfisher]

One last item. If you ever have trouble releasing your line from the clip, don't just reef on it repeatedly, bring up the weight and release the line by hand. No point in potentially snapping a rod or breaking your line out of frustration, remember, you need to bring up the weight to re-attach the line anyway.

Very good point G-Man! I did this once and broke the line (12lb mono) off above the clip. Fortunately, my gear was still attached to the clip and I was able to save it. Once was all it took and ever since that one time, I bring the ball up and release the line from the clip.

Might have to think about making my own release lines, just use the 'as sold' stacker clip minis with 18" steel braid and a longer line would be nice. Thanks for the idea.

[Larry3215]

Yup, that can be a downside, but my Cannon downriggers pivot so its no big deal.

Meh, pivot, Scotty's pivot too as do Penn's, with a big ball on the end it's a lot easier to just grab the clip with a stick and hook than screw with pivoting and slamming the lead ball into the side of your boat. Not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

Weigh that against all the false releases and times it wont release at all and I think the Chamberlain wins. Ive mostly been using releases with really short lines, so I have to pivot the rigger in anyway - especially if the boom is extended.

Ive mounted the Chamberlain well above the ball - on top of two stacked clips, so its maybe 6" above the ball. My Cannon stops with the ball still in the water, so I have no issues hitting the side of the boat. Ive never used a Scotty so I dont know if they stop with the ball still in the water or not.

[Bodofish]

Yup, that can be a downside, but my Cannon downriggers pivot so its no big deal.

Meh, pivot, Scotty's pivot too as do Penn's, with a big ball on the end it's a lot easier to just grab the clip with a stick and hook than screw with pivoting and slamming the lead ball into the side of your boat. Not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

Weigh that against all the false releases and times it wont release at all and I think the Chamberlain wins. Ive mostly been using releases with really short lines, so I have to pivot the rigger in anyway - especially if the boom is extended.

Ive mounted the Chamberlain well above the ball - on top of two stacked clips, so its maybe 6" above the ball. My Cannon stops with the ball still in the water, so I have no issues hitting the side of the boat. Ive never used a Scotty so I dont know if they stop with the ball still in the water or not.

They stop wherever you set them to. Mine always stop in the water. If I choose I can pull the weight in closer with a line or just pickup the release line with my stick with a little hook on the end, don't even bend over.

[G-Man]

One other thing a long release will do for you is provide a better indication of a small fish or shaker on your line. When you load up the rod properly, a fish will pull the tip down until the release clip line is close to horizontal and taught to the downrigger line/weight. A fish that is not big enough to release the line usually will create some action on the rod. If you have ever pulled up a small, half-dead fish after deciding to check your gear, chances are you were using a short release.

[Mike Carey]

Here's a video JoAnn and I just did on Merwin lake, showing the "Shower Curtain Clip Stacking Technique" or whatever you want to call it.

I forgot to mention in the video, another neat benefit of the stacker system we're showing is that you can also use it to make adjustments to your shallow line without moving your deep line. So let's say you see a fresh group of fish ten feet up from your stacked line, but you don't want to move your deep line. With this stacking system you can reel up and down along the cable without disturbing the deeper line. Often you'll see your stacked line on the depthfinder so you'll know exactly where it is.

[Skaha]

--is there an actual pull stick for downrigger or are you just using a dock hook?

[Toni]

Thanks Mike, great how to video. I like the short intro, too.

[Mike Carey]

--is there an actual pull stick for downrigger or are you just using a dock hook?

I'm not sure I understand your question. If you mean to pull the cable toward the boat, I just lean over and can reach the cable. I always ask JoAnn what she would do if I fell in, LOL. Most of the time she gives the right answer.

[Idstud]

Here's a video JoAnn and I just did on Merwin lake, showing the "Shower Curtain Clip Stacking Technique" or whatever you want to call it.

I forgot to mention in the video, another neat benefit of the stacker system we're showing is that you can also use it to make adjustments to your shallow line without moving your deep line. So let's say you see a fresh group of fish ten feet up from your stacked line, but you don't want to move your deep line. With this stacking system you can reel up and down along the cable without disturbing the deeper line. Often you'll see your stacked line on the depthfinder so you'll know exactly where it is.

Mike, do you every have any problem with the stacker clip line tangling with your rod line when you use this method?

[Mike Carey]

Never, and as mentioned, I've stacked up to four times on top of the original stacking clip. It is important to make sure when you clip in the shower curtain clip that your main line is properly oriented on the stacking clip release, i.e. main line comes in from the top and out 90 degrees to the back, and everything is "traveling" to the stern of the cable if you catch my meaning.
And, when your stack weight hits the other ones you can bring it up a tad to avoid that issue. Since this is s sliding system you have total freedom to run the clip up the cable. You don't have to have it sitting on top of those other releases.

And I'll be the first to admit, it does requiring leaning over the boat to get to the DR cable so if you have a big boat or a long boom this may not be the safest method. But for little/medium boats it works great.

[Idstud]

Nice Thanks Mike. How have your home made clips been working out?

[Mike Carey]

Nice Thanks Mike. How have your home made clips been working out?

Good. They do the job well. Not as nice looking as made by a manufacturer but they get work just fine. Future video on how to make them. :-)

[Idstud]

Good to hear. I do like watching fishing videos.

[Skaha]

--is there an actual pull stick for downrigger or are you just using a dock hook?

I'm not sure I understand your question. If you mean to pull the cable toward the boat, I just lean over and can reach the cable. I always ask JoAnn what she would do if I fell in, LOL. Most of the time she gives the right answer.

--On my boat I have the scotty downriggers close to the transome...when fully extended I have to swivel or tilt to get near the cable. I've seen the scotty pull cord but have note tried one.
--I was thinking of making my clip connection longer so that I could just pull in the clip with a gaff to attach the line... as my downriggers are close to the motor would have to ensure the clip is not long enough to get into the motor... you know when you make expected/unexpected sharp turn in the wind when hooking up by yourself without an auto pilot.

--I expect to be sockeye fishing in Osoyoos lk on Canadian side proposed August 1st opening. We only fish a few hrs in the morning so expect some fast turn around with fish landed and line back in fishing zone. Also expect a few rookies to be joining me so want to keep it as fool proof as possible. Only reason I wouldn't use something like your stacker on Osoyoos is that there are a lot of weeds in the lake so I usually bring the rigger up to klean off the weeds. The downrigger helps to keep the weeds from building on the flasher.