(fishing) Scotty's 24" or 30" length?

[Cutwater28GG]

Im a novice when it comes to fishing. but looking to install a scotty downrigger this year. I have the pads and plugs already

I'll probably just go with one downrigger first as its usually only me fishing and see how we go.

the 24" is more appealing from a price standpoint but does the 30" pole make any material difference?

any advice greatly appreciated

 

[jimschu]

I have had both but prefer the 24". Easier to grab the lead ball. Never had an issue with fouling the line
although I suspect the longer 30" might be better in that regard.

Scotty products are well engineered and just work well.

Good luck.

 

[nzfisher]

While not a fan of down rigger trolling but sometimes it is the only productive technique, the Scotty down riggers I have allow you to extend the shaft to different lengths. leaving the ball in the water and just retrieving your terminal tackle with the boat hook then hand over hand to replace bait, clean rig of weed etc maximizes your actual fishing time and takes some of the length issue out of the equation. Less leaning over the side as well.

 

[NorthernFocus]

As already mentioned it is easier handle things with the shorter reach. Fishing in conditions that the boat rolls a lot and/or for boats with high freeboard the longer arm minimizes the chance of the ball thumping into the hull during set/retrieve.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

thanks all!
24" it is.

do the folks who troll take any other precautions for the risk of getting the braid line on the prop? do you have a line cutter installed on your shaft?

- it seems pretty low risk on the cutwater with the center line prop well underneath the hull and a weighted trolling line but thought it worth asking

 

[NorthernFocus]

...do the folks who troll take any other precautions for the risk of getting the braid line on the prop? do you have a line cutter installed on your shaft? ...

By braid line do you mean the line of the fishing reel or the braided wire on the downrigger? In either case the risk is extremely low while trolling unless you make super tight turns. Even then I can't even feature it happening. Wrapping the line around the running gear while fighting a fish is another matter. It is a manageable situation. If it happens and you don't recover all the line you definitely want to get it off the shaft/wheel as soon as possible. Particularly with the modern braided lines it can destroy the cutless bearing. I have no experience with the line cutters so can't speak to their effectiveness with fishing line.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

got it - thanks Dan.
My primary concern was the downrigger braid as its super strong. but frankly the fishing line braid I use for salmon isnt exactly weak stuff either!

 

[Ernie]

I have one of each on my R23
The long arm goes on a pedestal the swivels up as well as swinging back to get it out of the way or get to the ball