Simple tip - stop losing Scotty releases

Da Nag

Da Nag

Administrator
Staff member
I'm sure this isn't an original idea, but for those who haven't thought of something similar already...

Much as I like them, the clip-on Scotty downrigger releases go on/off the downrigger line a little too easily - I've lost several. Today, the downrigger stopper slipped up the line - causing the release to hit the pulley at the end of the boom during a retrieve. It popped off...into the drink. Buh-bye $10.

The fix: A simple safety clip. Just tie a short piece of line to the swivel on the release clip, and attach a snap swivel to the other end. Snap the snap swivel over the downrigger line. Kinda hard to see, but you get the idea...

IMG_20120903_195614.jpg
 
That's definitely a good idea and it's what Scotty already does on their stacker clips (which have two of the release clips connected). Another thing that helps a lot is to clip the release low on the cable (near the ball) and set the stops so the rigger stops with the ball still in the water (a few inches below the surface). This serves two purposes - 1) The ball doesn't swing around and hit the boat when you're rocking side to side and 2) the release doesn't come close to the pulley where it can get knocked off. With long lines between the release and cable clip, you can reach out with a boat hook or similar device and pull the tag end of the Scotty release back into the boat. For anything but the biggest fish, you generally don't even need to get the ball out of the water to land the fish. With the ball near the surface, you can keep the line under the ball without much issue. This allows you to reset faster when the bite is hot.
 
Dude, you're quite the idea man. 8)

Roger, we did have things set up as you suggest, but with braid on the rigger vice cable the stopper beads were slipping. Maybe a drop of super glue at the ends would help?

Rick
 
416rigby":1pkcc7xq said:
Dude, you're quite the idea man. 8)

Roger, we did have things set up as you suggest, but with braid on the rigger vice cable the stopper beads were slipping. Maybe a drop of super glue at the ends would help?

Rick
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Rick, what color were the stopper beads? Yellow or black ones are designed for cable, the orange ones are designed for braid and they stay put better. An alternate approach is to use 150-200 mono for the last 4-6' of the cable. Take a heavy swivel and tie it onto the braid with a palomar knot. Loop the mono through the swivel and connect it by crimping. The swivel will serve as the stopper bead and it isn't going anywhere. The mono will also hold the Scotty release better.
 
rogerbum":w53m3760 said:
An alternate approach is to use 150-200 mono for the last 4-6' of the cable. Take a heavy swivel and tie it onto the braid with a palomar knot. Loop the mono through the swivel and connect it by crimping. The swivel will serve as the stopper bead and it isn't going anywhere. The mono will also hold the Scotty release better.
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Other than better hold of the Scotty release, why use mono? Sounds like we could also just cut the braid and insert a heavy swivel where needed.

Not doubting it can happen, but I've not seen any significant movement of the Scotty release on the braided line.
 
Da Nag":4okqrdcc said:
rogerbum":4okqrdcc said:
An alternate approach is to use 150-200 mono for the last 4-6' of the cable. Take a heavy swivel and tie it onto the braid with a palomar knot. Loop the mono through the swivel and connect it by crimping. The swivel will serve as the stopper bead and it isn't going anywhere. The mono will also hold the Scotty release better.
Click to expand...

Other than better hold of the Scotty release, why use mono? Sounds like we could also just cut the braid and insert a heavy swivel where needed.
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Heavy mono or tuna cord (some use that instead) holds the release clip in place better AND it's a little easier on the hands if you ever lift the ball by it (I usually am grabbing the snubber which is easy on the hands). Mono is also a bit of a shock absorber if you're not using a rubber snubber already for that.

Da Nag":4okqrdcc said:
Not doubting it can happen, but I've not seen any significant movement of the Scotty release on the braided line.
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It's a bigger issue if you are running the down rigger deep and/or are significantly loading up the rod. For kings out at Swiftsure Bank or up in Tofino, it's not unusual to run 200-300' deep on the down rigger. I've had the Scotty releases slide up the braided cable several feet in that situation. I added an additional stopper bead just above the release but the release tends to put enough tension on that, that it comes loose also. I don't have those problems when I'm running 25-70' down for coho.
 
I always use a Scotty bungie between my braid and the DR ball. The bungie has large snap swivels on each end, and I connect my Scotty release to the large snap swivel on the bottom of the bungie.

I also do as Roger, stopping the ball a foot below the surface using red colored stops on the braid.
 
C-Dawg":1n39xz32 said:
I always use a Scotty bungie between my braid and the DR ball. The bungie has large snap swivels on each end, and I connect my Scotty release to the large snap swivel on the bottom of the bungie.

I also do as Roger, stopping the ball a foot below the surface using red colored stops on the braid.
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Rick,

I've tried connecting the Scotty release to the large snap swivel at the end of the snubber (bungie). Since I run 6-7' 130lb mono between the release and the clip on the line, I have problems with the release wanting to wind itself up around the snap swivel. Do you have this trouble? If not, what are we doing differently?
 
Yeah, I've had that problem, too, at times. It seems to only happen on one side, though; the other side has two swivels where the braid connects to the bungie, and I clip to the snap above the bottom swivel. That leaves the ball and bungie to spin without winding up the release line.

This is kind of inclusive right now, but I've been trying to pay attention to how often it happens to see if that really is the solution.
 
first problem is that you are using scotty releases. try theses.
http://www.salmonuniversity.com/pr_product_reviews_pro_release.html

second is the sliding problems. I have used a rubber surgical tubing over the end of the clip and that will work better then nothing on wire and braid. The tips on beads are the right way to go. Use super glue to hold them in place.

I use snubber and hook my clips right at the top swivel. No way for the clip to slide.

Another trick for cable is to crimp a cable sleeve on the cable. One about a foot above the ball and the second one 4 inches above that. this will do the same as the beads but will not slide at all.
 
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