mrpike Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) HELLO!! I am in the market for a new down rigger . What do you think is the best one on the market at this time . I have a walker on the boat now. What are your thoughts on the best one out there at this time. WHAT would you guys buy for salmon fishing LAKE ONTARIO. THANKS . ELECTRIC ONLY. Edited May 9, 2012 by mrpike
myot Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 Top of the line downriggers are probably the new traxtech but they run about $1800 Canadaian each I have run downriggers from all the major manufactures and they all work well and all have thier glitches Big Jon best pullies on the market Brute ES are fantastic specialy when you put on the variable speed Crap counters and week booms Scotty Best customer sevice around great motors and design New 2116 are awsome Look like Brigs and Srtaton lawn mowers Cannon Best auto stop on the market buy far the best fit and finish jumpy take some time to get used to making small depth adjustments Walkers JUNK these are just my opinions I curently run Scotty's and love them Dan
John Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 I am biased as Cannon, Humminbird, Minnkota companies are clients of mine. My choice based on service, price and overall usability would be Scotty though.......don't tell anyone.
tonyb Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 I have a pair of older Cannon Mag 15's and I love the auto-stop which works on conductivity, thus stopping the weight at the waterline. I have a pair of brand new walker tournament electrics sitting on a shelf, I haven't tried them yet as I don't think they are capable of lifting a 15lb weight? anyone know for sure? Also, not sure about the auto-stop, if any, on the Walkers...? Best parts availability goes to Walker or Scotty I'd say, have heard some stories of difficult parts replacement for Cannon or Big Jon. At the end of the day, they will all do the job, find a pair that fits your budget, nothing wrong with used either Tony
alexmedic Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 I learned to down rig on Scotty's. A few years later I bought a used set of Big Jons for a great price. 2 years later, I sold the Big Jons. I wished I just waited and bought Scottys.
dave524 Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 I've got a pair of Big Jon electrics that date back to 82, they have the old solid, 1 piece, stainless , tip up booms. I really like the tip up for getting a hold of the ball and release. Not so crazy about the new multi sectional booms. With a punch for removing roll pins, allen wrench and a screw driver you can replace any part on them. Maybe I like that they look like a machinist made them rather than a plastic mould machine.
Steve Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 Dave, yours sound like mine, except mine (big jon as well) date back to 1976. the original motors failed this year. 36 years of use!
Fisherman Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 Scotty, made here, serviced here, and you're supporting Canadian.
fishindevil Posted May 9, 2012 Report Posted May 9, 2012 i have a pair of big jon tip up elctric riggers from the early 90's and they are awesome ye4s had to replace the counters and a spring once but other than that they will never rust,and they have about a million hrs on them and work flawless,they all will work size and space in your boat might be an issuse as some brands of riggers are alot bigger and if you need space to mount them that could be a something to think about !!!
fishdawg Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 everyone likes different riggers for different reasons some suit a certain boat's layout or an anglers fishing style (ie. some guys fish very deep with heavier balls, like 15lbs or more..) ive used them all, and my boat has Scotty Pro Packs 116's, a little bulky yes, but very fast durable and fucntional mind you though, if you know that you never plan to fish deeper then 50 feet down, then go manuals all the way! (walker or cannon make the best manuals) Much less to worry about with manuals.
Randy Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 Scottys, been running them for over 10 years. The only problem I had was that the knob used to lock the boom extension in-place broke off. Called Scotty and they sent me a free replacement part. They also walked me through the steps on how to install the replacement part.
BITEME Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 Scotty why bother with anything else!!!!! Biteme
Fish Farmer Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 Metal or plastic, that's why I have Big Jon's
Steve Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 Big Jons are as much art as they are machinery. Even 35 years later .... No plastic or composite components found on these babies!!!
DRIFTER_016 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 I used Walkers, Canons and Big Jons when I was chartering on Lake Ontario and all are capable but my favorites for ease of use and simplicity were the Big Jon Captains Pak riggers on my buddies boat.
NANUK Posted May 10, 2012 Report Posted May 10, 2012 I have used Scotty, Canon and Big Jon, I like the built quality of Big Jon and functionality of Canons Currently running Canons and very happy with them.
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