Operating Your Sportsman
Electric Downrigger...
Take time to familiarize yourself with the
controls of your Sportsman electric downrigger.
On the left side of the downrigger (next to the
reel), you will find the knob. Turn the clutch
knob counter-clockwise to loosen it or clockwise
to tighten it. Adjust the clutch so it will hold the
weight of the cannonball. You may choose to
set the clutch to act like the drag on your
fishing reel and it will give cable if your
cannonball becomes obstructed. Or you may
tighten it down securely, which is recommended
when fishing in rough water.
On the right side of the downrigger (next to the
motor), you will find the switch cap that includes
the Up/Down switch and the Circuit Breaker Reset
Button. Press the bottom half of the switch to
lower the cannonball. The Neutral/Stop position
is with the switch returned to center. Press the top
half of the switch to raise the cannonball.
If you “Pop” the circuit breaker, return the
Up/Down switch to the Neutral/Stop position
(to prevent a runaway cannonball). Then wait
15 seconds and press the Circuit Breaker
Reset Button.
Note:
At the initial installation of your
downriggers, hold the counter wheel firmly
at zero and raise or lower the cannonball to
the surface to set the line counter. This will
ensure that your line counter is showing
the depth of the cannonball.
1. While the boat is moving at trolling speed, set
your fishing reel to free-spool, apply slight
pressure to the spool with your thumb and let
your lure to the desired distance behind the boat.
Then set the drag clicker to stop your reel from
free-spooling. Place your rod in the rod holder.
2. To place the line in the line release (the Band
Buster
®
which comes with your downrigger is
shown here), grab the fishing line and wrap a
rubber band around the line and back through
itself. With the other hand reach down and firmly
take hold of the line release. Lift the cannonball
out of the water and hook the rubber band to the
line release. Then ease the cannonball back into
the water.
(Read more about line releases
on pages 21 and 22.)
3. To lower the cannonball, press the bottom half
of the Up/Down switch and let out the downrigger
cable.
Summary of Contents for Band Buster
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