Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    Do you mean that you would actually let the line go? I mean, release it
    so it falls into the water?

    re last
    
    A release is usually connected near the canon ball to the cable itself.
    The release holds the line coming from your fishing pole. When you
    lower the weight(canon ball) the release holds on to your line and
    brings it to the desired depth. Now when Mr Fishy takes your lure/bait
    he will pull the line out of the release and the fight is on, while the
    canon ball, downrigger cable and release stay straight down in the
    water.
    
    "BLACKS" releases are good and simple to operate
    
    Cannon makes a Pinch Pad setup, works ok
    
    A rubber band release is good if you use the right sized band.
    
    You can see all these types of releases in you favorite tackle store.
    
                           Jeff (Captain)
                           Team Starcraft

    
    
        With the smaller vaiation of fish you speak of I would recomend
    either the blacks release or the offshore release with the WHITE clamps
    since the white clamps are made for light release's.
    
        the nice thing about these 2 release's is you can adjust the
    tension held on the fishing line, and if you are useing light line I
    would caution setting the release too tight because the line can break.
    
    
                                             Lee
    

    I really like the Roemer (sp?) release.  When I bought my Walker
    downrigger from a Walker rep at a show, I asked him what was the best
    release.  He told me NOT to get the Walker release (although one came
    with the kit I bought). Instead he threw in a Roemer.  Very easily
    adjustable, can put anywhere on the cable, stackable.  I really like
    the Roemers.

    I second Pete's option of the Roemer.  It has a little adjustment screw
    for release tension and it also slides up or down on the cable so, as
    Pete mentioned it is stackable plus it can be set at vairious heights
    above the ball, so when you hit bottom, you don't lost your fly, lure
    or whatever you are dragg'n.  On the negative side, it is NOT the
    simpliest to attach a line to.  The directions are in both English and
    French leave a lot to be desired.
    
    john

I've had problems with the Roemer.  Despite backing off on the set screw, it 
still will not trip with a smaller fish.  I've had 12" rainbows on that 
never triped it.  By the time I brought the line up to check the lure, the 
damn fish had drowned.  By the same token, I'll frequently get small yellow 
perch on that don't trip it.  That's a pain.

Any suggestions?

-HSJ-

    I've had the same difficulty with the Roemer, that is, no release with
    small fish.  Here's how I cured it.  First, you can back off the
    adjustment screw far enough so even a freshwater smelt would trip it.
    The problem is that you are then afraid that the screw will just
    unscrew the rest of the way and then you're entire release is useless. 
    The fix is to use a bit of lock-tite on the screw.  This way you can
    set it at any tension and still have some friction on the screw.  NOTE
    OF CAUTION:  Be sure to use the right type of lock-tite.  I bought mine
    in a NAPA shop and just asked for lock-tite thinking there was only one
    type.  Not so.  You want to get the type that's semi pliable (I don't
    know what the right name is).  The "regular stuff will really harden up
    and make the screw adjustment useless.  The milder stuff still leaves
    you the ability to make adjustments
    

    I also prefer the Roemers (to Cannons) but I have had the same problem for 
    light fish. Its a constant struggle to match: line size; lure
    weight/action; rod action; and fish sizes - Geeze no wonder it so hard!
    
    I will try the lock-tite trick. Even it doesn't help I still think
    Roemers are better than Cannons. I like the fact that I can decide
    where I want it positioned (relative to the ball). I also find it doesn't
    get set off as easily by rod tension as you drop the ball into the
    depths and they don't seem as sensitive to line diameter as the
    Cannons. If the lock tite fixes the fish tension part of this equation
    I'll just need to find another set of excuses - no problem.
    
    Don  

    
    
    		The cannon line release is adjustable to almost falling
    	out due to forward motion.  I'm planning to use em in freshwater
    	this year. I let you know then
    

    I have used the cannon release for the last 3 years. The quick stacker
    release is what I used the most, and works very well when running 2 
    poles off the same downrigger. 
    
    The adjustment covers an infinitely variable range. I have run my
    ultra light w/2lb test on my downrigger and never had a problem
    with the release. "Most" small fish can pop the release. When I say 
    small I mean in the 6 inch range. 
    
                                        Jeff (Captain)
                                        Team Starcraft

re: Roemer

I've tried backing off on the adjustment screw, just to the point where it 
would fall out.  Still no luck in getting it trigger with a small fish.  
This year I'll give the little Cannnon releases a try.  They're much simpler 
in design, but at least it can be set to be triggered by a small fish.

-HSJ-

    
    I want to thank eveyone for their replies. The decision of what kind to
    get will be real easy now!!????? 8^)  Actually I have had a chance to
    see the roemers up close and personal. They do seem to have a better
    design but the low setting still does seem to be snug for a light fish
    release. Has anyone ever taken the little adjustment screw out
    completely when fishing for the smaller fish. This would effectively
    give you the lightest setting possible and yet eliminate the
    possibility of it falling out.(just remember to put it back in when
    you're finished for the day!) In regards to the cannons, what keeps the
    release from being triggered by the rod bend when setting up for light
    fish or do you just not set any rod tension when rigging for lighter
    fish?

    I just received my Cabela's order yesterday. I have to give thumbs up
    on the Black releases. The adjusting screw maintains a consistent
    firmness weather the release is set heavy or loose. Unlike the Cannon
    pinch pad (which greatly depends on how far in you position the line
    between the pinch pads) the Blacks will always keep the exact setting.
    
    As far as using them for light/small fish, they can be adjusted to the
    point that *any* fish could pop the release.
    
                                              Jeff (Captain)
                                              Team Starcraft

    I too use Black's for the bottom of the cable and Roemers for stacking
    --- it's the only way to go.
    How to fix the low tension release problem on Roemers ---- ONLY FISH
    WHERE YOU GET BIG FISH !!! Sounds easy to me!
    
    Have fun

Having bought a used down rigger that came with two Roemer line releases.  I
have used the down rigger a few times and now have a few questions.

1) Since I bought the outfit used and have no instructions for the Roemer
   line releases, I'm not sure I am fastening the fishing line correctly.
   Does anyone have a simple explanation of how they do it?

   The few times I have used the outfit I have used only one Roemer release/
   line setup.  I know the Roemer releases can be positioned any where on
   the downrigger cable, so the next time I thought I'd try stacking two
   releases/rod/line setups. 
2) How close can the the releases be positioned  on the cable and not cause 
   line tangle?

3) Should the line/lure on the top release be set closer to the cable?
   ie.  if the bottom lure is running 50 FT back from the cable should the 
   top be set 40 FT back?  Someone mentioned to me doing it this way will
    lessen the chance of a fish on the bottom line tangling the top line.
    
4) When using leadcore line I attach a rubber snubber a few feet in front
   the lure, should I do the same with a downrigger line or will the use
   of a rubber snubber lessen the chance of the release tripping?

5) Any other recommendation on using a downrigger setup, such as ratio of
   trolling depth compared to distance of lures behind cable,  rod positions
   in the boat that minimize tangling the two line stacked on the same cable.
   

   Thanks 
   Dan 

         Last night I found the deal of the century on a Walker Downrigger.
    This is the portable one called the Mini Laker. I got it for $28.00
    new for use on the local ponds in Worcester County. The problem is
    I have never used one myself or paid attention on other boats while
    using them. My familiarity is around lead core and planer boards and it
    is time to expand the horizons once again.
    
         Where my confusion lies is around the line. Is there a general
    rule of thumb for how much line you run from the release back to the
    lure? Is it better to run a stacker release above the ball or just go
    with the original setup with the release attached to the ball as Walker
    has it set up? What do you think of those Walker releases? I'm not
    familiar with those either. While running Planer Boards we use the Off
    Shore pinch type releases with great success but this thing looked
    quite strange at first. After some playing around I realised that the
    plastic knob on the back controlled the tension on the plunger which
    I assumed was the release where you wrap your line around.
    
    Sorry for so many questions at once but this new toy is for experi-
    menting until I get the big ones next year to go along with the new
    boat coming.
    
    Thanks,
    Bob M�
                

I like the stacked release clips.  We use one release clip above the ball when
trolling deep for blues (which is not often).  Less hassles, especially line
twist & tangles.

For 5 kts trolling speed, the ball is at about 60% of the depth indicated on the
downrigger.  This is a point of experimentation as every boat trolls differently
and every downrigger likewise.  Find a sandy area where you aren't likely to
hang up the ball and try it out.  The diameter of the downrigger line also makes
a difference.  Lighter cable means less drag and hence better depth.  I've read
good things about Z-wings but have not tried them myself.

Tim