Looking for advice on electric downrigger

[tubber]

The plastic at the bottom of the stainless tube has a reputation to break so if it does you can lose your rod.
If you are fishing for bait for your pots, you can run rods, but you could also clip on additional 5-7m leaders to the cable like a BC commercial troller. You bring these in by hand once the clip reaches the pulley.

 

[Mastiff]

@tubber Ah, thanks! I don't want to loose my Ugly Stiks with Shimano Tekota reels for sure! So it sounds like the 2106 wire version would probably be the best choice. Is the plastic on the plastic tube that the 2106 has more durable? Sorry, I see that it has a totally different type of rod holder. But can I put an extra holder on that one?

And that idea about leaders without a rod sounds cool, but how do you know if there is something on them? The mackerels in Norway aren't that big, so I can't imagine I can see movement in the downrigger. Or do you bring them up every now and then to check them?

 

[Rain City]

@Rain City Is there a particular reason I would want to switch holders? I think it could be nice with a dual holder so I could do stacking and fish as deep as I manage with my 15 lbs fish shaped weight and then maybe 15 meters above that.

The fixed tubes are way more durable. They're harder to adjust once you mount them though. The stainless ones have been known to snap off under heavy load but are more readily adjusted. The flush bases that mount to the dual roof holder base can also be used for cup holders and gear trays, so it leaves more options available. So it's up to you.

 

[Mastiff]

@Rain City Understood, thanks! I'd prefer durable to easy to adjust. You are talking about the 247, right? So with that bolted to the base and the 2106 I will actually have three holders?

 

[Rain City]

@Rain City Understood, thanks! I'd prefer durable to easy to adjust. You are talking about the 247, right? So with that bolted to the base and the 2106 I will actually have three holders?

Correct. But I personally don't like the durability or the positioning of the boom mounted holder, so I remove it.

 

[Mastiff]

@Rain City Thanks! Sounds like good advice. I have another Scotty Powerlock rod holder mounted close to where I will mount the downrigger, so that will give me three if I ever need it.

 

[tubber]

I can't imagine I can see movement in the downrigger. Or do you bring them up every now and then to check them?

If you have a rod attached above the other leaders, you can check when you bring the rod up. The rod tip might signal a hit on the other lines. Otherwise just check through the gear every 15-30 minutes.

 

[Mastiff]

@tubber Thanks, got it!

So what I have arrived at now, from the advice in this thread and reading around the forum, is a 2106 with the 247 rod holder, a 375 shure stop/snubber and a set of spare parts. And I want to buy a brand new downrigger in my own name, so the lifetime warranty is valid for me, as it is not (I was told in a mail from Scotty) if I buy anything used. So all I need now is a shop willing to ship it to me. I am going to mail Pacific net and twine. If I bought one from a web shop in the US I could use my Delaware shipping address, but these things are noticeably more expensive there, probably because of Mr. Tariff.

 

[chille51]

You can get Scotty stuff at any marine store, I like P n' T but no reason you have to wait for Pacific Net and Twine if they aren't getting back to you. Not sure who does international shipping, but here are some other ones you can try:

https://www.harbourchandler.ca/
https://trotac.ca/
https://www.pocomarine.com/
https://www.stevestonmarine.com/
https://defender.ca/en_ca/downriggers

 

[Rain City]

You can get Scotty stuff at any marine store, I like P n' T but no reason you have to wait for Pacific Net and Twine if they aren't getting back to you. Not sure who does international shipping, but here are some other ones you can try:

https://www.harbourchandler.ca/
https://trotac.ca/
https://www.pocomarine.com/
https://www.stevestonmarine.com/
https://defender.ca/en_ca/downriggers

Has anyone ordered from defender.ca? They always seem to have good prices but looked scammy.

 

[chille51]

Has anyone ordered from defender.ca? They always seem to have good prices but looked scammy.

Not personally, but doesn't take much to find people on the Hull Truth or wherever saying they have had no issues. Like any online business, I imagine its a mixed bag.

 

[Mastiff]

Thanks for the tips for shops! I'll mail around and see what they can offer.