BY MARK ROMANACK
Everyone knows the story of Goldilocks. She was struggling to find things that were “just right” and it’s the same struggle when it comes to picking downrigger line releases. The market is flooded with releases marketed as downrigger releases, but the truth is, very few of those releases provide that “just right” tension needed in downrigger fishing.
If a downrigger release has a tension that’s “too light” false releases and poorly hooked fish are the results. If the downrigger release has a tension that’s “too firm” it will be difficult to trip the release when a fish is hooked and almost impossible to trip the release to simply switch out lures!
Thankfully, Off Shore Tackle produces a host of downrigger releases that offer anglers that hard to find “just right” tension choice for all fresh and saltwater trolling chores.
OR1 MEDIUM TENSION DOWNRIGGER RELEASE
The OR1 was the original Off Shore Tackle product and continues to be one of the best-selling releases of all time. Engineered to be the “go to” choice for anglers who target salmon, lake trout and steelhead, the large rubber pads on the OR1 allow anglers to customize the release tension based on where the line is placed in the release. To maximize the tension, bury the line deep into the release pads. For a lighter tension, place the line near the edge of the release pads.
Ideal for anglers who are fishing monofilament, co-polymer, or fluorocarbon line types in the 15 to 30 pound test range, the OR1 is easily the best-selling downrigger release of all time.
OR4 LIGHT TENSION DOWNRIGGER RELEASE
The OR4 features a lighter spring tension ideal for targeting smaller fish like spring coho, brown trout and walleye. Engineered to be used with monofilament and other nylon line types, anglers will find this downrigger release works flawlessly with 10 to 25 pound test lines.
OR8 HEAVY TENSION DOWNRIGGER RELEASE
The OR8 features the heaviest spring tension in the Off Shore Tackle line up. Designed for saltwater trolling and for freshwater anglers who troll using large lures or heavy gear such as dodgers, rotators and lake trolls, the OR8 features a longer coated wire tether making it ideal for reading bites from smaller fish.
OR2 STACKER MEDIUM TENSION STACKER RELEASE
Trout and salmon anglers routinely fish two rods from a single downrigger using a unique release called a stacker. The OR2 Stacker Release features a pair of Medium tension downrigger releases (the same that is used with the OR1) mounted to a coated wire tether that’s terminated to a heavy duty snap. The snap is placed over the downrigger cable and the release on the short tether is also attached to the downrigger cable. The fishing line on the second rod is attached to the release on the longer tether. This setup is ideal for anglers who want to target trout, salmon and steelhead using two rods per rigger.
OR7 LIGHT TENSION STACKER RELEASE
The OR7 consists of two OR4 light tension releases creating a light tension stacker release for targeting smaller fish like coho, brown trout or walleye.
THE LOOP TRICK
A tactic many anglers use when fishing with downrigger releases is known as the “loop trick”. When setting a line, the lure is let out behind the boat to the desired distance. The angler then grasps the line near the rod tip, folds the line over an index finger and twirls the finger to create a few twists of line and a short loop. The twists of line are placed between the rubber release pads, with the loop of line protruding beyond the release jaw about an inch.
This unique means of hitching up a line to a downrigger release performs a few essential functions. First off twisting the line provides the release with more “purchase” or “grip” on the line helping to eliminate the possibility of false releases. Secondly, when a fish strikes, typically the line stays firmly in the release, helping to ensure a solid hook set is achieved. Thirdly, the angler can easily trip the line free to fight a hooked fish by simply giving the rod a sharp upwards snap.
This process ensures a good hook set and helps the angler come tight against the fish quickly. The “loop trick” also makes it easier to trip the release when simply switching out lures. The “loop trick” works with any monofilament line type and allows anglers to use a heavier spring tension release when fishing in deep water, trolling at faster speeds and when trolling in rough seas.
SUMMING IT UP
Off Shore Tackle offers a wide selection of downrigger line releases because one size simply doesn’t fit all. To ensure the best results it’s important to match up the downrigger release tension to the trolling chore at hand. No matter the species being targeted or whether an angler is fishing in freshwater or salt water, OST has everything an angler needs to be successful fishing with downriggers.
