The Outdoor Line Forum

I was just wondering about the guys on the board here and the question came to mind:

What is your downrigger release of choice?

Since I'm a monofilament main line type of guy, I like Offshore reds (double spring) and standard Offshore blacks for use with bait.

What releases do you guys use and why?

I only keep one style of release on the boat and here's why

Keep it simple... and effective...

Good topic Nelly. I use the standard Scotty releases on my boat, I have used them for years with many different presentations behind them and never had any issues. I only use Maxima line on all my Tecota and Islander MR3's and never really had a false release. I also fish with my kids and the Scotty releases are very simple to use, so they can operate their own downriggers. FISH ON

Never had a problem with the Offshore releases. Consistent and reliable. However, as a cancer patient I barely have the strength on a good day to squeeze them open. Now days it's the Scotty release for me. I can use my whole hand and the leverage lets me easily open and hold the release while attaching my line. I would think the Scotty might be better for older men and females also.

I have always used the black offshore releases and had no idea they made stronger red ones for trolling gear. Where do ya get those red ones Nelly?

Scotty. Never really had an issue with them. Nice and simple. Especially if you have inexperienced people on board. easy to tell them to just pin the line all the way to the back or only to the black line.

I use the Scotty's, have not had a problem with them,easy to set various tensions,and larger clip surface to work with,also holds strong on braid.

DuckDog wrote:I have always used the black offshore releases and had no idea they made stronger red ones for trolling gear. Where do ya get those red ones Nelly?

Hey DD,
The red Offshores are at Sportco. Outdoor Emporium, Harbor Marine in Everett and Holiday Sports in Burlington.
They flat rock! When a fish pulls out of the red...they're hooked!

I've always like the pro releases! But can't seem to find them anymore

I started with offshore and had problems with false releases. I couldn't get my gear down. I switched to scotty no problemo. I think I'll stick with em.

Eddy C wrote:I started with offshore and had problems with false releases. I couldn't get my gear down. I switched to scotty no problemo. I think I'll stick with em.

While at Neah Bay this past week I started having problems [false releases] with my scottys . Then as luck would have it a cable broke at 70' lost my second ball and the release and whole shebang. Now I'm down to one down rigger. Ran in bought a ball some hardware and a red offshore. The scotty continued to have false releases the red offshore held strong and caught two more Kings. Getting more red offshores!