Downrigger Braided line v Stainless steel cable???

[Big D]

Hi All,
I've got a new set of Scotty 1106's and I'm thinking about switching out the Stainless cables and replacing them with braided line. I've just started researching the advantages and disadvantages and I'm wondering how you all feel about the use of braided line in this situation. I welcome any comments or recommendations in regards to this switch. Also what do I need to purchase for connection parts and buttons to insure that everything works and that the auto-stop feature on my Scotties will continue to function? Thanks in advance.

[Bodofish]

Don't look back! We've been running 200# tufline (it's stronger than the stainless)on my brothers for years, we got tired of fixing SS and getting poked with the strands. Best feature is if you've been dragging it over the rocks you can cut the bottom 3 feet off and re tie it in just a few minutes and no gloves. Quick and easy. Easier to get down to those big mak's in Chelan......

[G-Man]

I'll provide a second endorsement for dumping the SS line in favor of super line. I've run 150lb on my electric Penns for over 3 years now and don't understand why I didn't do it earlier. It's cheaper, doesn't require special tools to carry for repairs, no worries about corrosion, electronic charges or frayed strands. It also cuts trough the jellyfish better than the old SS cable. Go with the Tuffline, less expensive than others but still a great product. $45 or less should get you 300 yards which will spool two downriggers with 450' of line. You can't beat that with a stick!

[Maury]

Spoke with the guru @ Sportco and Tom recommends it. The heavier braid (250lb) has a lot of blowback he says but the 175lb is preferred. You will need the red line stops as they are made for braid and have an extra notch in em to help lock it.
The only reason I haven't swapped over is I use my black box and it won't work with braid.
Maury

[Bodofish]

The regular stops work just fine, been using them for years. We've been using 200# and 250# but the 250# is kind of hard to find now. The 175# is plenty strong but at the knot you loose about 50%+ of the tensile strength and with the lighter line, who wants to take the chance with losing balls. Very important with the braid is to use the thimbles at all terminations to protect the line and preserve the knotted strength. Most of what the "experts" tell you is just wives tails.

[Big D]

Hey Bodo,
What are these thimbles you speak of?

[Bodofish]

The little teardrop shaped guy's the line goes around where you have a termination. It's to keep out any sharp kinks in the line. Your cable should be running around one. PM me if you have any ? been dealing with aramid fiber lines and just fiber for many years in a manufacturing environment.

[A9]

Just bought new downriggers, going to re spool with braid next season when I get the time and money...

What knot do you guys tie to the ball clips? Any use for snubbers?

Tired of this crap Scotty downrigger cable snapping on me....Too much work to keep buying new terminal kits and dr balls....

[G-Man]

I just double up the line and tie an improved clinch knot. No problems in the 3+ years I used it. For terminal gear I use the largest coastlock swivel combo I can find and the rubber bumper that Scotty sells. I've never been that big of a fan of the snubbers but others swear by them. I don't tend to pound the bottom unless I know it's sandy down there. If you do use them you'll want to use a stacker clip and attach to the downrigger line above the terminal tackle. Attach your release to the ball when your using a snubber and you'll have crazy rod action and unwanted releases every time you hit even a small wave.

[mav186]

I just double up the line and tie an improved clinch knot. No problems in the 3+ years I used it. For terminal gear I use the largest coastlock swivel combo I can find and the rubber bumper that Scotty sells. I've never been that big of a fan of the snubbers but others swear by them. I don't tend to pound the bottom unless I know it's sandy down there. If you do use them you'll want to use a stacker clip and attach to the downrigger line above the terminal tackle. Attach your release to the ball when your using a snubber and you'll have crazy rod action and unwanted releases every time you hit even a small wave.

Some great input, but with all the talk of snubbers, releases, stacker clips, coast-locks, thimbles and yes, even blowback..YIKES!! Some pictures would be GREATLY appreciated! lol and thanks-Mav

[Big D]

Some great input, but with all the talk of snubbers, releases, stacker clips, coast-locks, thimbles and yes, even blowback..YIKES!! Some pictures would be GREATLY appreciated! lol and thanks-Mav

Thanks Mav,
You took the words right out'a my keyboard.

[Bodofish]

OK guy's, Blowback is nothing more that something that comes outta your @.. Other than that you guy's know how to run your downriggers! If you want a pic of a thimble, I'll do it tonight when I return but, I think you know what it is. Simple, make sure you double the line where you terminate it, that's about it. Remember the wives tails deal. =) Don't get psyched with the BS.

PS tie the thimble with an elongated taught line hitch.
M

[fishing collector]

The auto stop feature will work just fine...It is just a little piece of plastic that attaches to the line I believe. By using braided or mono line instead of SS wire your chances of electrolysis drops dramatically to zip! Nothing worse than a boat that doesn't fish. Make sure that you always check your SS down rigger line for any indication of electrolysis. It can make your fishing day kinda lonely. Especially for kings. They are spooky and don't like strange, weird sounds, colors, electrical impulses etc. Did you ever notice that one rod or one fisherman gets more fish than the others.....You have to analyze the problem and correct it. SS down rigger wire is a potential problem...analyze and correct if necessary. All it takes is a volt meter and a little knowledge of electricty...All of which is available if you know how to Bing or Google. Good luck to you. Steve

[hewesfisher]

I've been thinking about changing out the SS for braid on my Scottys too, but haven't really used them much since buying them 3 years ago. I have just started trying to learn the proper setup to target the silvers in Lake Roosevelt and really don't like messing with the SS.

One thing I did read on Scotty's website is they specifically state not to use mono on their downriggers, so I wouldn't recommend that as it might void your warranty.

Big D - All you should need to setup your Scottys is some wire, fuseholders, and terminals to make connections. I didn't like the thought of the straight Marinco plug coming out of the side of my gunwales, so I nixed them in favor of the Hellas. Besides, my Scottys have the Hella plugs and I like the 90° Hella sockets, so that's what I used when wiring them to our new Hewes. Less likely to get bumped into and broken that way. I can post some pics later if you like.

Bodo - How many feet of braid would you recommend for replacing SS? I think my 1101s have 250' of SS, so my thought is I should load at least that much braid - right? I see Scotty has 250# braid and 175# braid but you mention 200#. What brand would you recommend? Any better than others for wear and abrasion resistance?

I know, too many questions.

[Bodofish]

We've always used the TufLine made by Western Filament. Probably because we delt with them commecially for years. Their fishing line, TufLine is available all over. Best prices are online and we normally do a big spool and wind at least 400' or more on each rigger. We fish out in the ocean sometimes and go down to 350' So it's pretty much what ever you think you need, I'd bet you could get 500' or so on one spool. As for wear, all you need to do is cut about three feet off the end and re-tie, not a big deal with braid. Fishing in fresh you probably don't get into to many abrasive situations like bouncing the balls off the bottom.

[hewesfisher]

We've always used the TufLine made by Western Filament. Probably because we delt with them commecially for years. Their fishing line, TufLine is available all over. Best prices are online and we normally do a big spool and wind at least 400' or more on each rigger. We fish out in the ocean sometimes and go down to 350' So it's pretty much what ever you think you need, I'd bet you could get 500' or so on one spool. As for wear, all you need to do is cut about three feet off the end and re-tie, not a big deal with braid. Fishing in fresh you probably don't get into to many abrasive situations like bouncing the balls off the bottom.

Thanks, I'll check them out. You're right about depth and 350' is more than enough for our fishing situations. I do manage to bounce the balls off bottom sometimes while following a contour line only to find it changes faster than I can maneuver the boat.

[fishing collector]

Scottie says that MONO will void the warranty. NEVER use MONO on any down riggers. Due to the stretch. You want to use braided line or Dacron Line. They don't stretch. You want to use any type of line that has no or at least very minimal stretch. You can purchase special line for down riggers...use it. :-)

[wintersteelhead]

Johns sporting goods in everett is an authorized scotty repair facility. He put Cortland 200# braid on my riggers. LOVE IT!!!. One thing i have not heard yet....... no more cable howl. Just remember to occaisonally cut off 2-3 feet and re-tie your hardware, just like you would do with your fishing line. It's very problem free and i don't think it drags as much fishing deep as does steel cable.

[Bodofish]

I would not take anything I own to Johns in Everett. He took in a reel of mine for repair and after numerous phone calls and three months went by I dropped in to get my reel un repaired. It was lucky I stopped in when I did. When I asked for my reel it looked like they were in the middle of doing some cleaning, they looked high and low and finally pulled it out of the trash can. I took it to a reputable repair shop later that day.
Sorry can't do Johns anymore. If the Scotty's need repair they go fedex up to BC where they're made. Besides in 20 years of using Scottys I've never even had then charge me for a repair part when I've called to order one.

[hewesfisher]

After having no luck finding some Tufline Classic I emailed Western Filament for a retailer. None anywhere near me, but they did send me a link to this online retailer who carries the product. I'm ordering a 300yd spool today.