Luhr Jensen "King" Manual Downrigger

[Pat Anderson]

OK, Crabby Lou came with a Luhr Jensen "King" manual downrigger, I am guessing vintage 1990 or so. I understand the reel and counter I think. But there is no connector on the end of the cable, and it comes with another piece that is just mystifying to me - it does not look like it would go underwater, but for the life of me I cannot see anywhere it would go, and obviously I need something on the end of the cable to hook the ball to. Anybody familiar with this downrigger? I am all psyched up to go fishing at Birch Bay, would sure like to use the downrigger...Here is a pic of the part.

[416rigby]

Pat,

Looks like some sort of release to me. Your cable should have a big herky swivel on the end and a snap to hook your weight into. You can get these items at WM if you have one close by, or at any good tackle shop.

As for releases, the Scotty Power Grip is the easiest, most reliable one I have ever used. There isn't even a close second, IMHO.

I snapped this pic for you. I like the additional black plastic snap because it will fail and break if you hang up on the bottom...rather than lose a bunch of cable by a strong metal snap holding firmly to the weight. I'd rather replace a weight than a bunch of cable!

Good luck...
Rick

[Spike]

Pat
The picture you posted is a release. As for terminal gear, What you hook the lead ball to I really like Cannon terminals. You can buy them in plastic box of 5 and you can replace them while standing on a rolling deck, without the use of any tools. I have used them for over 10 years on my Scotties without a failure.

Chuck
Bootleg Hooch

[Jazzmanic]

Pat,

That's a Pro-Release downrigger clip. You need to hang on to that because I just found out the company is no longer producing those. They are the best downrigger clips out there for no false releases. If you do it right, the clip won't release due to smelly jelly on the line, etc. It will only release if you have a fish on the line.

If you don't have a need for it, you can always sell it (them) to me

Peter
C-Dancer

[oldgrowth]

Rick - I wonder how many people saw the crab?
________
Dave

[rogerbum]

Yes Pat -as Peter indicated that is a "Pro-Release down rigger clip". It's purpose is the same as the Scotty release clips I showed you on my boat - e.g. you attach your fishing line to the clip and send it down.

The clip you have appears to be set up to be attached directly to the down rigger ball as opposed to clipped onto the cable like I do. I prefer to clip them onto the cable a little above the down rigger ball as then you can bring the ball up to just below the surface and get at the clip. Doing this will keep the ball from swinging all over and hitting the boat if you're in any waves.

This link at Salmon University shows you how to use the clip. I have a few of these but have quit using them and reverted back to the Scotty clips. There are two reasons for this.

First, the pro-release clips don't release by pulling on the line at the rod end. That is, you can't pop the line out of the release just by lifting up hard on the rod. Hence, if you want to check for weeds etc. you have to bring the down rigger up and reel in at the same time, unclip the line by hand etc. This is difficult to do with a manual downrigger and even with an electric down rigger adds another step (e.g. you have to touch the clip twice - once to get the line out and once to put it back in). With the Scotty clips, you simply give a good tug on the line to pop it out of the clip, reel in, check for bait or weeds and then bring up the down rigger ball.

Second, the Pro-Release clips are difficult for newbies to use and if you wrap the line around the post in the wrong direction they won't release. That is the line has to be wrapped such that the end toward the fish comes off the end of the post first. If the line is wrapped in the opposite direction or if the line crosses over the top of another wrap, it can bind up when you get a big fish on and break right off. I lost a couple of nice fish the first few times I used that type of clip due to this problem. I can make the clips work reliably now, but there is a skill to it and the Scotty clips are easier and more reliable in this regard. The nice thing about the Pro-Release clips is that it is easy to adjust the tension on them. That is you can adjust them to release for even very small fish, However, that the only thing they have going for them.

I'd also recommed that you buy a rubber snubber to put between the end of the cable and the downrigger ball. This will reduce the wear on the cable but more importantly, it gives you a nice thing to grab to lift the down rigger ball out of the water (it doesn't cut through your hand like the cable does when you grab it).

For connecting the ball to the cable, you will need a terminal clip of the type others have shown you. They're easy to attach and if you buy the Scotty ones, they come with all the hardware necessary to connect them. Buy two or three and buy 2-3 down rigger balls. In the winter, when we fish for local "black mouth" (resident or winter chinook salmon), you fish very near the bottom and occasionally you will lose a down rigger ball. The only thing more frustrating than getting out for a day of fishing and losing the downrigger ball in the the first 10 mins of the day is doing the same with no replacement parts on board.

I would also recommend that you buy or set up down rigger release clips with about 6' of 130# mono filament line on them so that you can reach out with a dehooker or boat hook to pull the clip aboard without having to lean out to grab it. Gary Johnson taught me that trick and it makes things a lot safer - especially if fishing alone. Finally, I'd be happy to go with you to Outdoor Emporium or some other fishing gear shop and help you find what you need (read "spend your money"). I had a friend do this with me about 5 years ago and it was very helpful as he showed me most of the gear I use today in one 30-45 min session at the store.

[Pat Anderson]

Super, thanks guys! I was doubting it was a release only because with the metal knob and other parts, it did not look like it would fare well in salt water. The link on rigging it is great, I think I could use this, but I am going to get some Scotty releases like Roger uses on SeaDNA and Chris uses on Mz Kaye and no doubt most of the rest of you use too. I am going to try to get into GI Joe's in Issaquah today, and get a couple of weights, a snubber, a terminal clip kit and several releases. I think I will stick with Scotty, that seems to be so widely available. I will make up a little dowel with a cup hook at the end like Roger's, and I should be ready to fish! Oh yeah, I will pick up some flashers and spoons following Roger's advice "any color is OK as long as it is green"! Another kind of goofy thing about this downrigger is that the counter is out at the far end of the rod - making it kind of hard to see I would think. This is a pretty basic piece of equipment, and I pretty well can see it getting replaced in fairly short order if I really get into this fishing thing...Two silvers with Roger and two Mackinaw with Chris in the month of August - that is more fish than I caught in my prior lifetime, which I know must seem strange but my Dad did not fish. Thanks to both Roger and Chris for showing me the ropes! Now look out for David! He let us know today on our ham net that HE has added a salt water license to his shellfish license, and sounds like he is hot to trot too!

[rogerbum]

Pat - I forget to mention - buy 12lb down rigger balls. That's a good all around weight.

[gljjr]

I agree with Roger, Get the 12 pounders! I hate those Pro-Releases. I lost a couple fish to them and will never use them again. I use the Scotty Releases as stated above. They work just fine so long as you are careful not to get Smelly Jelly on them or your line. Sure you will have some problems with Pre-Releases but often they result in hookups anyway as the fish will hit on the rise

Well back to buying motor parts. Hopefully I can drop it back in the boat tomorrow!

[starcrafttom]

pat can I have your pro-release. I have ban all scotty releases from my boat last year and will never go back. if used right , which is really easy, a pro -release will never release early and you can tighen the slack right out of the line. if you use braided , which I do on all rods, then the scotty's are just awful. always popping out early. the good thing about the pro-release is that weeds and little fish will not pop it out. I can just hit the up button on the downrigger and bring everything to the top, clear it and send it back down with out having to hook everything back up. I just bought four more today just in case they do stop making them.

I will post a "how to use a good release right" tomorrow

[rogerbum]

Tom,

I use braided line and I use Scotty releases - you just have to buy the "power grip plus releases" AND set the release to the tighter setting with the clip on the back side of the release. I don't get early releases - even with 11" flashers. I have had a problem with the Scotty releases, braided line and large flashers when I used Scotty's normal releases but not with their heavy duty ones.

The link I posted above from Salmon university does show how to properly use the Pro-Release clips. Both Gary and I are fairly experienced salmon fishermen and both have lost a couple of fish to Pro-releases that didn't release at all on large fish (presumably due to the line getting crossed on one of the wraps on the Pro-Release posts). Those releases certainly are not as easy (or fast) as the Scottys.

[gljjr]

Tom,

I use 50lb Power Pro for my main line. After I started using it I tried the Pro-Releases. Carefully winding the line onto the pin in rough water is a pain! After losing a Tulalip Bubble fish large enough to break my 40lb leader half way between the hootchie and the flasher I vowed to never use one of those releases again. When I got the ball up to the boat the line was so fouled on the pin I actually had trouble getting it off even after removing the release from the downrigger cable.

We see so few fish in the Sound that the last thing I want is to lose a fish because I can't get the line off the downrigger. The Scotty releases work just fine for me. Granted you get a few pre-releases, but I can live with that over having just 1 fish lost due to a broken leader from not having the release do its job. And yes, this fish was on for a good minute before it broke off.

I know a lot of people swear BY the Pro-Release. I just swear AT the Pro-Release!

[Pat Anderson]

Well, just returned from Outdoor Emporium (Joe's downrigger section was completely cleaned out - probably won't go back there again) with a 12 lb ball, a Scotty cable terminal kit, a Scotty snubber and a couple of Scotty releases. I now need a net and a cup hook on the end of a dowel, and I figure I will be good to go! The nets at Outdoor Emporium looked way too big - only one looked about the right size but it had a short handle. I frankly don't remember how long the handle was on Roger's net but I can imagine a short handle being a problem. Advice on the net would be appreciated!

[starcrafttom]

sorry guys I am not questioning your fishing abilities, just your choose poor fishing gear. I hate scottys they release early all the time. I tighten my lines down very very tight and scottys , all models, are not up to the task. I hate them and have thrown several set as far in the ocean as I can. but ask me how I really feel, friends don't let friends fish with scotty release!!!!! they are not allowed on my boat.

As for the pro-release. yes the above link is great. I did not see it before and took a few pics to show off a good release. They take training to use right and most people try to use them like a scotty or forget they are not using a scotty and grab the rod and to check their lines and yank on it to release and end up breaking their rods. " stop yanking or you'll hurt your rod" if used right and set right the pro release is the best release out there, why? because I said so thats why!!! If a pro release did not release because it was wrapped wrong blame the wrapper not the release. I did last time in my boat and he is still recovering mentally If I show him a pro-release he shakes. I have had trouble with the pro release on very small fish but I like them for the shakers. If it does not release and is just shaking the rod I just hit the up button and let the downrigger do the work. Why would you want to reel in a shaker, too much work. same for weeds, I don't want it to release for weeds. just hit the up button and clear off the weeds when they get to the top. I leave the line in the clip. No rerigging that way. Did I mention that I hate scottys??

So If I am the only pro release lover here, besides Peter, then can I have Pats????

[gljjr]

Pat,

I have one you can borrow for a while. I won a nice Frabil at one of the GameFishin derbies a while back so I haven't used this one for a while. It works great for Silvers and Pinks but is a little small for Kings.