To properly use a downrigger, the line on the spool must be terminated. The downrigger typically comes with a stainless steel line secured on the spool with a rubber band. During termination, it’s crucial to maintain tension on the line to keep it tightly wound around the spool. For electric downriggers, install the clutch knob to maintain tension. For manual downriggers, apply tension using the handle. With the spool under tension, the line can then be routed and terminated.
The snap assembly with insulator is used to break any electrical connection between the downrigger and the water, which is important for the Short Stop and Positive Ion Control features. To attach the line release, first attach a Cannon weight, then follow the subsequent steps.
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Terminate the Downrigger Line
The Line on the Spool needs to be terminated for proper use of the downrigger. The downrigger comes standard with stainless steel Line held in place on the Spool with a Rubber Band.
During the termination, it is very important to keep tension on the Line to keep it wound tightly around the Spool. To keep tension on the Spool, install the Clutch Knob on an electric downrigger first. If the downrigger is a manual, apply tension with the handle. With tension on the spool, the Line can be routed and terminated.
If you need to install a Clutch Knob referring to Installing the Clutch Knob. If the Clutch Knob is installed or if you are working on a manual downrigger, complete the terminating procedure by clicking the button below or watch the video.
Attach the Snap Assembly with Insulator
The Snap Assembly with Insulator is used to break any electrical connection between the downrigger and the water. This insulator is used with the Short Stop and Positive Ion Control features of the downrigger.
- Before attaching the Snap Assembly with Insulator, the line must be terminated, see Terminating the Downrigger Line for instructions. The properly terminated line can have a weight attached directly to it.
- To begin, make sure that a weight is not attached to the Snap Swivel. Then take the Snap Assembly with Insulator and attach it to the Snap Swivel.
- The Weight can then be attached to the Snap Assembly with Insulator.
Attach Line Release
To attach the Line Release, first attach a Cannon Weight and then follow the steps below. You will need a Line Release to complete this process.
- Take the Release and attach the Snap Lock end of the Line Release to the Weight.
- Release some line from the fishing rod and reel so that the lure is anywhere from 5 to 100 feet behind the boat. Determine a distance for the line from the fishing pole to drop back from the Weight and select a point for the line to be attached.
- Twist a loop in the fishing line at the point that the line would be attached. Attach the line from the fishing rod firmly into the Clamp of the Line Release at the loop created in the fishing line.
- Click through a series of increasing tension settings on the Clamp. The Line Release can be used with any test line on salt or fresh water and may be adjusted from 2 to 22 pounds of grip tension on the line.
- Once the Line Release is attached to the fishing line, make sure the Fishing Rod is held securely or placed in a holder and open the reel so that line can draw out.
- Then set the downrigger depth to lower the Weight to the desired depth in the water.
- Once the downrigger Weight is at the desired depth, reel up the slack on the fishing line so that your fishing rod has a slight bend in it. When a fish strikes the lure, the line will separate from the Line Release. Then the fishing line will be free to fight the fish and bring it up on the rod and reel.
