Black brand Releases

[Speedy]

My boat came equipped with "Black" down rigger releases, from the past owner. I know there are several other makes of releases made. Due to our Spring/Summer floods and extreme rain seasons,I haven't had a lot of time using them. I had an experienced trolling fisherman use them once on my boat, and he said the Blacks require a 6-7 wrap/loop made and then insert that into the clip.

With my old eyes/cold fingers/early dawn poor light, is this the BEST type and system. I see other brands with a single pinch required and to move the line further back in the clip for a stronger grip.  Open to any ideas and stores, before I change anything on my 5 down riggers.

Thanks,

Speedy

[landingzone]

I’ve been running Black’s for over 30 years and they have worked well. It takes a little experience to get the tension right for the conditions/target species, but I prefer tighter than looser. I usually use about 5 wraps. 

[Speedy]

Thanks for the reply. I understand everyone has their favorite for one reason or another. I'm curious as to why the multiple wraps? Why not just one loop? Does it give extra slack? Is there a solid reason for the many wraps or just a "Thing to do because"....

I really don't know, so thanks again for any help.

Speedy

[Silver Fox]

3 minutes ago, Speedy said:

Thanks for the reply. I understand everyone has their favorite for one reason or another. I'm curious as to why the multiple wraps? Why not just one loop? Does it give extra slack? Is there a solid reason for the many wraps or just a "Thing to do because"....

I really don't know, so thanks again for any help.

Speedy

If you don’t twist the line a bunch of times the line will slip in the release. I love those, but went to Scotty’s a few years ago to see the small fish bites and I’ve never gone back.

[Speedy]

Thanks again. I had a feeling it was just a little of "What we are used to" and not 100% proven fact".  2 cycle verses 4 cycle... New products keep popping up. I'm an old dog (78) and trying to get used to my 19 ft Sea Nymph, 90 hp, Merc,,  2 Cannon electrics, two Cannon manuals, two Lowrence finders, Fish Hawk, 24 volt Minnkota with I-Pilot. I'm not going to throw the Blacks overboard, but I really would like to see if the Scotty or others are easier to work with for guys just starting out. I don't have an experienced First Mate/semi-pro fisherman, just my wife. Also I'm in the North-East Kingdom, Vermont Lakes, and have to deal with jet skis, sail boats, and not have miles of open water like the Great Lakes. Just looking for suggestions as to releases (Christmas gift time... LOL ). Just trying to keep things as simple as possible. I can do the 4/5/7 wraps but why? Thanks for helping an old dog.

Speedy

[rolmops]

Another way to use the blacks is with a rubber band. You tale a size 14 rubber band and wrap it around your line like 7 times and then you take the 2 ends and put them around the small metal end of the black. I use them that way because my old fingers have a hard time wrapping the line around the metal thing the proper way. wrapping a rubber band is easier. But like Silver Fox I also use the Scotties specially off the boards with copper and leadcore.

Buying scotties tends to give people a bit of sticker shock. A single one is the price of a thousand rubber bands and you may end up using rubber bands with the Scotties as well.