About ready to spend my X-mas bonus from the boss (it's burning a hole) and would like some comments about which of the top downriggers you prefer.

I am looking to buy an electric rigger and as long as its durable & user friendly I don't mind spending a little $$$$.

Do any of you have a Cannon Mag 20?

Thanks everyone!

Scotty's all the way. More bang for your buck! The warranty is second to none. Plus you'll have an easier time find parts- which are free.

bought two used canon Mag 20 this past summer off of Ebay and they absolutely smoke the Scotty's. Fished with both and the Canon's are hands down the best.

I pulled the cannons off my new boat and replaced them with scottys I would have bought Penns but they were to expensive. As DR said scottys have the most bang for the buck.

I have a mag 20 and a mag 10 on my boat, have fished with both brands, my buddy has the scotty propacks, and I will say this, both fast, but the electronic stop on the cannons can cost you gear. If it doesn't stop in time (weeds or seagrass on the wire), the cannonball slaps the end of the arm, breaks the wire, and all goes in the drink! If you add up the snubber, terminator, ball and release, got near $40 hanging on the end there. I have talked with guys that have had more trouble with scottys though, mostly with the clutch, some with electrics, cost them gear too. All in all the mag 10 has been the most trouble free, just a longer wait from the bottom, and the chance for a nice fish to get around the wire and break off... Mag 20 is a lot of money, mag 15 is as fast and cheaper, scotty is probably a better deal, in fact you could almost get 3 pro-packs for the cost of 2 mag 20's if you shop around...

Though I don't use downrigger's much anymore, I did use them alot in the early 90's when I began guiding, what I saw was that for everyday use Penn was the best, Cannon's were decent but a distant second, and Scotty's, well I'll just leave it at, there fine for the weekend warrior, but I would definitely keep alot of those spare "free" parts with me if I had them on a charter boat.

I have not used the scottys but have used the cannons. I really like the cannons they are easy to use and work well. I dislike the cannon manuals and use penn manuals on my boat. If I had the money I would get the programable cannons. they will keep your balls just off the bottom as the bottom depth changes. If you get the bottom line depth finder package you can controll up to 4 down riggers at once. It will also cycle the balls up and down between depths in intervals. heres the link for more info. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...MainCatcat21276

or this http://www.cannondownriggers.com/site/html/flashsite/index.htm

Scotty's for sure.

SCOTTY all the way cannons are to slow.

FF-

Go with the Scotty's, I have used all major brands and like the Scotty DR's the most for ease of use, dependability, durability. Penn's are nice too but too expensive for what they are. I have heard that some of the newer penn's have problems with their gearbox seals.

Keep an eye on eBay, I see alot of DR's go through there with some nice deals to be had on new and used. Also check 3 rivers as they have some deals from time to time.


edit-

You can see in my avatar pic I have a Penn 825 on the right, and you can just barely see the arm of the Scotty behind me on the left. Both Downriggers get me into the fish, but The Penn's days are numbered and will be replaced w/ another Scotty.

I have also heard that the Local Scotty rep is real nice, and if you break a part he ususally has therm on-hand for a quick swap-out. Much better than dealing with a servcie person or sending your DR somewhere if that was required. Contact him through 3 Rivers marine.

I would have to say scottys. I have never had a problem with them. I spend at least 4 days a week during the summer fishing the salt. I have never had any issues at all.

I have not used Cannon's but have lots of experience with Scotty's. They're great downriggers, mainly because of the warranty. Everything in them is made of plastic. You will be utilizing the warranty.

I have got the Penn FM's electric 825's which I think are great but if and when I get new ones I will go with Scotty..At least that's what I told Santa

I thought I heard somewhere that Penn was not going ot make electrics anymore??

I heard the same thing about the penn electrics.

Canon Mag 10s came on my boat so I can't complain about the price I paid, but if I were buying I would go with Scottys. The Canon Mag 10s are slow, slow, slow, suck more juice and are more expensive than the Scottys. The Mag 20s are good, expensive, fast and probably a more durable downrigger overall than the Scottys, but for the money.... Scottys all the way. Buy Scottys and use the extra money on other gear!

ELECTRIC's I'd go with.
#1 PENN (Fast & Durable)
#2 SCOTTY (Good & Easy to work with)
#3 CANNON (Slow & Not so durable)
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Scotty

I have two and use them almost every weekend. I have replaced the drive belt on one and added the new type brake kit on the other.

I had one fall off my boat on the West Seattle Bridge at 55mph. It only broke the hinges on the cover and scraped it up, I used it the rest of the day with no problems.

I won't buy any other brand downrigger.

Damon

I was able to prostaff for both Cannon, then Scotty.....................Scotty hands down for the last 6 years

For best price on Scottys see Kent at Three Rivers..

Scotty! i have a scotty and a penn that came with my boat and my old boat had 2 cannons. I never thought I would like anything better than my cannons, but the scottys are better hands down.
Try berrys bait in Vancouver for great prices on scottys. Berrys bait and tackle