silver horde also sells pads to replace the worn out ones

I use the Scotty Hairtrigger releases. (This is the one Dogfish is describing.)

I prefer the Offshore heavy's. I used to use the mediums but have found that I prefer the heavier release. In either case you can buy replacement pads and super-glue them in place if your pads get a groove from the line. This is mostly a problem on the stacker clips (from leaving your stacker on the cable while retrieving the ball), rarely on the ball release.

Last summer sportco was selling the Scotty releases separate (no line, release clip only) for a very reasonable price. I bought some plastic coated cable and some of the stacker type clips that clip right on the cable and some crimp on fasteners(for lack of a better word) and made my own releases for around 6$ a pop. My problem is that I go through a lot of releases. The clips that clip right on the cable seem to come off quite often. Am I doing something wrong?

Bullshooter- Two things to try.
1. Try putting a small length of surgical tubing over the end of the trolling snap that clinches down on the cable. Glue it on. The rubber will help it "stick" to the cable better, also stops vertical movement.
2. The other thing is to use a 1 foot diameter loop of parachute cord attached to your DR ball's hook eye. Then attach the trolling snap to the cord. The only way you'll lose it then is if you lose your ball altogether.

Everything on my boat is Scotty, but for the downrigger clips. I am with SlabQuest, Pro-Release all the way.

I really like blacks except it attaches between the end of the cable and the ball. You can sometimes get a small shaker on and not know it.

I just looked up the pro-release. It is exactly what I'm looking to try. However, I just called Sportco and they said the maker of the Pro-release went out of business. ???

Update: Just found them on Cabelas site. $20