TOPIC:

Hello, I just started using downriggers and I am using the ProRelease release and braid line. What was happening was when i was cranking down my rod the line would just start raising the ball And I couldn't get release to pop, the line would just slide around the barrel. I'm thinking I had it set too tight but would like input from anyone using this release with braided line.

My other option would be to add a 60 ft mono leader and use a Scottys pinch pad release but I like the idea and construction of the ProRelease and just need a little guidance. Thanks

I’m not familiar with that release but have tried a bunch and recommend a blacks release. There only about $10 a piece and really simple to use once you get the tension set right.

Pikesmith wrote:

I’m not familiar with that release but have tried a bunch and recommend a blacks release. There only about $10 a piece and really simple to use once you get the tension set right.

Do they work with braid ?

I run mono on my DR rods but don’t see why they wouldn’t. You just put about 5-7 twists in the line and snap the loop in the release. Maybe someone else on here has some experience with it and could tell you if it’s a good idea.

Most releases have some adjustments in them so fiddle with them. Most releases work either okay with braid or worse with braid - few work better with braid. All that being said, that's why I stick to #16 rubber bands. Simple, easy, just bought a pound of them for $8 and they work spring to fall.
It would be a mistake to switch to mono just to make your releases work better. There are solid advantages to braid when fishing deeper than 30 or 40 feet.

Thanks BNature. I'm pretty sure i had them too tight, I will definitely fiddle with them next time out. This is one of the releases that you cannot use rubberbands with incidentally as your main line wraps around a barrel that, as you guessed correctly, can be adjusted. I too want to stick with braid and if I cannot get these releases to work I will be going the rubber band route with the pinch pad type releases. Thanks for letting me know the number (16) to get.
I am confident i will get these ProRelease releases to work though, after watching some videos online, which i should have done before going out, they seem to release with a nice rod pop with no problem. I'm pretty sure i had them too tight did the same with my dipseys first time out too and had to reel them in untripped, boy that was fun,Lol.

I bought some pro releases and put them on my planer boards. I want it to release to prevent big fish from burying the boards. Lost couple monsters last year because of this. The concept is good, but havnt dialed it in yet. Lost a big steelie the other day when the release was tripped but got tangled some how. I did realize I had my drag set too tight, but the line snapped at the board. Not sure what happened. The fish was jumping around dragging the 150 copper until he spit it. Luckily we got the board back.

You put these on planer boards? I'm going to post a few pics just to make sure were talking about the same releases

I started using BNature's rubber bands and will never leave them. Too simple to screw up.

The experiences I've had with mechanical releases and braided line sliding have always been solved by putting a few twists in the "captured loop" to keep things from sliding around. Looking at your pictures, the "leash" would prevent that from being effective. Maybe extra wraps around that barrel? A double half hitch would definitely help, but it doesn't look like it would come off when released.

J-

Yeah I'm going to give these another shot playing with the tensioner and extra spins around the barrel. I really didn't give it much of an adjustment. It was my first time running downriggers ever and first time running multiple dipseys on one side with planer boards so I guess no lines crossed was a victory in itself,lol. Think im going to grab some rubber bands so i have a backup plan as I have Scotty pinch pad releases already too.