I a getting ready to buy a set of electric downriggers. I came across this site and the price seems really good - http://www.lordoftheriggers.com/item/?product=1

I currently have a set of Cannon manuals, while they are really nice they are showing their age. A new set of Cannon eclectics outfitted with all the goodies as the the set above is about a zillion dollars ;-)

My question is how are the Big Jons? Is there any thing I should know about them from coming from Cannon?

Is there another brand I should be looking at?

Thanks
Scott

Take a look at Scotty's.

Salty

Thanks Salty. IS there a specific reason/feature that makes them better. I have no experience with anything other than the Cannon.

Cheers
Scott

I love my Big Jon electric's - not plastic all machined aluminum..top quality
I referred "Lord of Riggers" to this site. Tony is a top notch guy to buy from.

I have cannon HSmag10's and like them a lot. I also came up with Cannon manuals. I always like the design of the Big Jon's being all Al. but went with Cannons due to the increase in ball retrieve speed (not always good though). I have never used scotties but have heard good things about them. The only knock is they take up more gunnel space than the other styles. I did use Big Jon's last year out on Ontario and setting lines takes a little getting used to. The rigger tilts up and locks up while you set the line. On rough days the weight needs to be controlled while you set the line and this can be tricky but after a bit of practice it wasn't an issue. Just need to anticipate a few new things that as a cannon user you wouldn't be used to. Good thing with that was no leaning out over the boat to set the rigger like with the cannons. Since that is what I cut my teeth on I never thought it was such a big deal. You can pull the tag line in on the cannons to make set up easier but I always felt the leaning seemed easier than just adding another step to the process. I don't think you can go wrong with what ever set up you choose. They are all making quality products now and stand behind them.

Spike

Ask around some more Scotty, several of "those in the know" on this web site (including The Salted one) switched to other brands, I have no idea why, but at least two that I know have taken off 4 Big John's and in favor of others including Cannon's. But many like JR< Coolwater, etc. still stand strong by the Big John's

I cant help much as I have never used any but Cannons and love em, they are a bit pricey however, especially the Digitrol models.

I must say they have a super name "Big John" does has a nice ring to it, ha,ha.

Big John
Who wish he was a fishin instead of Ham and candy.

Big Jon's are made in U.S.A - motor's are fantastic !

I know some people that have scotty's, and they love them. I switched from Big Jon's to Cannons. I found that the Big Jon's were a pita setting up. Had to lift the booms every time to set. Also, most of my buddies, including me are half deaf, and the Big Jons didn't have ball stops and I was wearing out terminater kits, and losing a lot of equipment.

Salty

Big Jon now has "ball stops" I have them ... I guess it's like Ford Pickup vs. Chevy, ha ha. I'm also trying not to buy anything made in China !

I know where there is a pair of Cannon 10s Electric all you need to put on is cord ends. comes with the mounting bar etc. used of course for $400.00

I use Cannon, but I have heard that Big Jon has excellent customer service.

I had 2 BJ electric capt paks and loved them. I like the tip up boom, the dual rod holders and ball cradle. I would not have sold the BJ's but after fishing on squam with forry's cannon digitroll 4's I had to have a pair, they are awesome but like you said $$$$$.

I bought mine off craigslist, got a pair out of Detroit and another pair out of Fla. They are tough to find at a good price but they are out there.

I would not hesitate to buy the BJ's they are great, but if you want to fish Squam the Cannon digitroll 4's can save you $$$$$ in gear with thier bottom tracking mode.

Never had any problems with the Big Jons except when Forry used them...he likes to break the springs on the cable counter...hahaha.

i have a pair of big jon captain pack electrics for sale cheap.$450 for the pair. only ten hours of use on them. pretty much new.traded up to some digitroll cannons.thanks big john..every time i am on the barge i see something that will cost me more money.

that's a great price!!!! those will be gone tomorrow I bet. If not tonight!!!

I just sent you an email, Thanks Scott

My brother has the big johns captains packs and loves them.He does ocasionally invite me to fish with him.....that seems to only happen when one of the big johns isn't working....they repair very easy,but i still like my cannon mag tens.polebreaker

I love my Big Jon captains pack. I was able to pick it up in a gold color, which matched the "fighting lady yellow" color of the boat. The motor is external so it's easy to work on, especially when you have a twin brother who is a mechanic, that's much better than a manual. thanks Dave a.k.a. polebreaker.

Mike

I have used BIG JON's for ever! Still have on my boat a pair that we bought new in 1994 still running strong! If you ever have a problem just send them back and they will fix it. So with that said I have not changed brands because "If it aint' broke don't fix it"...LOL

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Cool Water

used to run big jon manuals, have fishlanders now which are made the same as big jons by an ex employee, if you go in the salt take them off the boat, my manuals were always seizing up in salt water, good customer service, but parts are priced pretty high. i like that they tilt up, works on my boat

I have owned and used Scotties for several years. Was turned on to them by a Lake O guide. He has used all the downriggers out there in his 30 years of guiding.
The booms come up like the BJ's. You can put a stop anywhere on the cable easily, and add others below if you like. Has both auto raise (which is very fast) and a push button also on the same unit, for fine tuning. To lower the ball you move a lever, which adjusts the speed of descent, and uses NO power, for those who max out their battery with other electronics. One of the benefits (for me) on the Scotties, is all up/down controls on the unit are easily visible and activated from the top of the unit. The only down side to the older units, for me, is the rod holders were not the best. I easily switched them out to Vector rod holders so I can rotate them to either direction and up and down in about a second. IMHO, there is not a rod holder that compares to a Vector! I understand the new Scotties have been improved! Thanks for letting me expound Salty!
Richard

I stand by my Big Jon riggers. They have taken some abuse from a docking incident, and it still kept on ticking like nothing happened. The new ones do come with a faster motor and auto-stops!

riggers sold.

and will be put to good use.

Thanks and it was good to meet you.

great to meet you to scott.hope we can fish together some time.
joe s.