What is the best release clip?

I have been using Scotty releases, the kind with the yellow pads on the ends. Some seem to work fine, then just keep popping off. Once I was sure it was a case of missed placed Smelly Jelly, but after trying to be extra careful, I keep having the problem. I hate to keep buying new ones. Anybody have an answer to how to recondition the pads, so you don't have to replace the whole release?

Thanks

Dolphin, at the back of the clip is a button. If you push the button from the inside back it will give the clip more grip. I use the same kind and for the most part they work good. After awhile they seem to get loose. I have about 8 release clips in the boat so I don't have to mess around trying to fix a slippery clip.

I found that button real quick, and have several used clips now also and pick up a couple each time I go to the tackle store. I noticed the yellow pads come off easily, I wonder if you can buy those separate?

What line are you using? Mono or braid? Mono works great in the the clothes pin types, but braid doesn't work too well.

I primarily use the Scotty releases that are yellow and black that have a yellow pin that fits into a black receptical with a yellow screw knob. Sorry for the description, but I don't like the clothes pin types. Braid works very well in this type of release.

For those Scotty releases with the yellow/green pads, try rubbing alcohol on the pads. Somebody let me in on that secret.

Here's another trick. Instead of buying the single Scotty releases, buy the stacker releases that come with two releases. These were about the same price as the singles at Sportco the other day. I cut them apart and made my own 36" long releases out of 200# test P-line and the proper crimp sleeve.

I like the Off Shore release (medium). Over time the pads wear out, but I"ve been happy with them. I don't run braid. I hear the Black's releases are pretty good, too.

The Penn ones never have let me down, and I recently got some Scotty clips and like em too....

I like the scotty clothespin style. They seem to release pretty well with a 7 pound salmon, but will hold tight while you are running the gear down.

I also was having trouble with the scotty releases that have the yellow pads. I moved the clip at the back and they still would release if I was going deeper than 100ft. Someone told me to use some fine sandpaper on the pad. Open the release and slip in a piece of 400-600grit paper and abraid the pad. This helped the release. I have also used the scotty "Snapper" releases as they have more tension. I too bought the stacker release, cut them apart and made two releases for the price of one. Hope this helps.
Bret

Black's

Off Shore Mediums.

Pro-Troll makes an adjustable release that works with braided or mono. It also works well for deep water fishing. You don't get "premature ejerkulation" like the Scottys.

But actually, I use both.

Offshore mediums. Buy the stackable two pack and create your own. Cheaper than buying singles. BTW, when you change out your downrigger cable the old used cable works great for making releases. Life time supply.

I never liked leaning out over the side of the boat to put the line in the release. I make a dropper about 6' long for my boat that has a snap swivel on both ends. One attachs to the ball (I don't like hooking snaps on to the cable) and the other end gets the release. I set my Scotty's to stop the ball about 6-12"" below the surface. I use my boat hook to bring the release in-board. I drop my gear back an appropriate distance and then put the line in the release and drop it over the side. While it isa safety issue with me, I also think that it make detecting weeds/shakers on the line a little easier as there is some "flex" by having the release point 6' back from the ball.

I used to use a long release and boat hook method but have changed over to a short release and the Scotty ball retriever. This is the way to go. Just set the downrigger to leave the ball 6-12" below the water then pull the ball to the boat. Makes for easy clip hook up and also when you get a fish on you dont have the ball & line hanging off the end of your boom just waiting for the fish to wrap it up. Fish on.....bring up downrigger and pull in ball out of the way.
Bret

That's what I do too Bushbear. Offshore Medium release clips on a 4' leash connected to my downrigger ball. I've got Scotty 1106's and even with the booms fully collapsed, it's still too far to lean out. I could swivel them in... but this way is easier. My de-hooker works well for grabbing the clip and releasing fish.

I think Scotty is making a 60" release now. That would be an option for folks who like/use the Scotty release. The length of the lease is determined by the height of the gunwale. Have a friend that I made some leashes for that has a new Hewescraft and his are 7' long. Sure makes life easier when the water is choppy. The Goldstar/Scotty snubbers are also handy when you pull the ball into the boat. Much easier to grab. I also use the Scotty hooks to hold the ball when moving to a new location. Much easier than bringing the ball in-board.

I have had a couple of instances where the fish gets frisky beside the boat, but try to have them lead into the net before they realize where they are. If it is a big fish, we'll pull the ball out of the water.

I make all my own releases with Scotty Powergrips. The cheapest method is the buy the Clips bulk and make your own. I make them with a 60 inch lanyard, on a modified trolling snap so it doesnt travel vertically on the wire.
Silver Horde has a big bucket of unrigged clips for sale @ something like 2.99 a piece. Buy a bunch, get some crimping ferrules, rig em up on some 120# test, and your set. Way cheaper than paying 10.99 for a single 60 inch rigged clip...

I like the Pro Release. Just be sure to wrap the line so the lure/bait end is toward the end of the bobbin.

Thanks for tips guys. Sand paper and alcohol are in the boat now and I'm going to try the other brands mentioned. I would like to get a bunch of the clips solo and rig up my own as I also have found that grabbing the ball or line is not near as easy for me as the release line.

Good luck to you all, and hope to see some of you down my way, North 11 and EB now that it's a Southern show.

100% agree. Best DR release I've used. Especially for the deepest of deep trolling. Vurtually eliminates false releases, which is a real PIA when puting out 100s of feet of cable.