Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm sure this gets to be an old question but I bought a boat last year.I had them install two downrigger mounting areas on it.I am not sure which kind of downriggers to get.I dont want electric cuz I'm never lucky with electronic stuff.I dont mind manual.I've used the Penn Fathom masters for years and liked them.Id like some ideas from real fishermen who use them not some salesman trying to make a sell.I had used electric some time ago and they seemed to always have issues.I mainly fish lakes and some saltwater in local areas.

Penn's are dependable as can be. Sure ain't pretty, but they always work. Scotty's are what I use. They seem to be the most popular nowadays, and because of that they have the most spare parts available in stores....I hear mixed reviews on the Cannons. From the ones I've played with, they seem/feel a little cheap....

I saw a Scotty 1050 for sale on some other board last week for $65. I forget which board. You might keep your eyes open for used ones.

I prefer Scotty as they have a lifetime warranty.

Electrics are better if you get into a lot of fish.

We run the Penn Fathom Masters on our boat. One of them was a hand-me-down from my Step Dad's boat that has to be over a decade old now. Works as good as new.

If I could afford it, I would definitely get electrics. It's not so bad hand cranking when you're fishing humpies and silvers in the 30-60 foot ranges, but kings/blackmouth are on the bottom and 100+ feet of cranking gets tiring.

For your use, if your mainly fishing lakes (trout, etc.) I think you'd be good with manuals...

If you are doing a lot of saltwater fishing, retrieving 10lb balls from 80 feet a bunch does get old. But then again, electrics do require a little more care and your getting an arm workout by cranking up the balls..

I like your theory.While at the boat show the guy from Smokercraft asked me if I needed crab pot pullers or shrimp pullers.I said no and pointed to my 23 yo fishing buddy saying hes my puller.I learned awhile ago always take someone younger fishing.It saves on the neck and back..I dont mind manuals I need the added exercise .I do know what you mean though about it gets old after awhile.I take a group of older guys I know out for sockeye.Im doing all the downrigger work.Its ok they are a great bunch of guys and 2 of them live on Lake Wa, and have private docks for me to tie up to.I also agree on the Cannons.Its hard to find Penn parts also.
Do any of you know if there is a combo DR.One that you can go electric or manual?

racfish wrote:I like your theory.While at the boat show the guy from Smokercraft asked me if I needed crab pot pullers or shrimp pullers.I said no and pointed to my 23 yo fishing buddy saying hes my puller.I learned awhile ago always take someone younger fishing.It saves on the neck and back..I dont mind manuals I need the added exercise .I do know what you mean though about it gets old after awhile.I take a group of older guys I know out for sockeye.Im doing all the downrigger work.Its ok they are a great bunch of guys and 2 of them live on Lake Wa, and have private docks for me to tie up to.I also agree on the Cannons.Its hard to find Penn parts also.
Do any of you know if there is a combo DR.One that you can go electric or manual?

Well.... you can always unplug an electric and use the manual crank to get it up. I don't recommend it.

I believe the manual cranks on the electrics are the last resort. As in they are tough to reel in. Don't have the same gears and technology that todays DR's have that make it less of a chore to reel up a DR ball...

Mag 20 DTs here..We fish down to 300 ft with 12lb balls so hand crankers are a bit tough..allthough i know folks that do

Depending on the size of your boat and how deep you like to fish should be determining factors in whether you go with electrics or hand crankers. I had hand crank Canon's on my 14' boat. When i bought a bigger boat I went with electrics. Both are fairly easy to install on your boat. I have Scotty 1099's.

Look up the Scotty 1060's. They are hella nice and have a high speed 2 foot per turn retrieve as opposed to the 1050's one foot per turn. Also have big disc brakes and it pays out if you happen to drag bottom so you don't lose your gear or those cannon balls which are gettin more spendy by the day due to lead price increases.