Downrigger And Stacker Releases
BY MARK ROMANACK
Believe it or not, the most technically unique line releases in the industry are used for downrigger fishing. Many anglers simply don’t understand how much engineering is required to create downrigger line releases and stacker line releases that function flawlessly. These releases are unique because if they have too little tension the angler is constantly dealing with false releases or poorly hooked fish. If the downrigger release has too much tension, it’s difficult to trip the release even when a fish is hooked.
To function properly a downrigger release must have the “Goldie Locks Effect” or the “Just Right” spring tension every time. Obviously, no single downrigger or stacker release could fit that bill so Off Shore Tackle makes several models to cover all the popular rigger fishing situations.
Or1 Medium Tension Single Downrigger Release
The OR1 (black) was the first Off Shore Tackle product and continues to be one of the best selling. Hands down the favorite line release of charter captains and professional anglers, the OR1 is perfectly suited to fishing 10 to 25 pound test monofilament and fluorocarbon lines. The large pad diameter of the OR1 allows anglers to bury the line when they need more tension and to set the line near the edge of the pads when less tension is required. The OR1 is popular among Great Lakes salmon, steelhead and trout anglers who find themselves using downriggers most of the time in less than 100 feet of water.
Or4 Light Tension Single Downrigger Release
The OR4 (white) features the same larger release pads as the iconic OR1, but with less spring tension. The lighter tension is ideal when targeting smaller fish species such as coho and walleye or when trolling at slower speeds. Like other Off Shore Tackle downrigger releases the OR4 functions flawlessly with 10 to 25 pound test monofilament and fluorocarbon lines.
Or8 Heavy Tension Single Downrigger Release
The OR8 (red) downrigger release features an extra heavy spring tension ideal for anglers who are trolling at high speeds, using large baits or gear with lots of resistance in the water like rotators and paddles commonly used for trolling meat rigs and flies. The OR8 is also popular among saltwater trollers who are routinely trolling at the blistering speeds of five, six or seven knots!
Stacker Releases
Anglers who fish with downriggers can employ stacker releases that allow two fishing lines to be rigged and fished with just one downrigger. Stacker releases feature two releases rigged on a short and long wire leader. The release on the short wire is attached to the downrigger cable and the fishing line from the second rod is attached to the release on the long wire. Rigged in this fashion, two rods can be fished on one downrigger and the depths staggered so as to cover more of the water column. Off Shore Tackle produces two stacker releases including the OR2 Medium Tension Stacker Release and the OR7 Light Tension Stacker Release. The OR2 Stacker Release is ideal for anglers targeting salmon, trout, steelhead, striper and brown trout. The OR7 Stacker Release is perfect for the angler targeting walleye, coho, pink salmon and other smaller species.
Summing It Up
Downriggers continue to be the ultimate tool for depth control fishing. In the Great Lakes and beyond, downriggers are a critical tool for anglers who are tasked with catching fish that often turn up deep below the surface. At Off Shore Tackle, manufacturing downrigger releases is how we got our start and to this day we produce the finest downrigger releases money can buy.
