I have Cannon mag 20's on my boat there good units but if I had to buy riggers today I would look at the Scotty's they are really fast retrieve rate and there customer service is very good.I agree with slipknot a boat that size I would go with 4 riggers.I put Bert's track system on my boat this year and love it you can add all type of stuff now or later.They even have plates that you can put down east rod holder on.I have my jigging machine on one.I have the ratchet rod holders I use for dipseys and leadcore they are great.A boat that big you could also use trolling bags that are put in the water on the sides of the boat and it slows it down just like putting a bucket out the back both of those will slow you down.Just my two cents.Good luck.

Erin

Guys:

Thanks for the input. I thought the hydrofoil would do the trick on slowing the boat. I guess I had my information confused. I can't put a trolling motor on the boat since it is an older Grady White (89) and the extra weight of the 4-stroke I repowered with put the scuppers close to the water-line; an extra 80-90 lbs for a trolling motor would make the boat sit too low in the water. Does running the boat real slow really have a negative impact on the motor? I assumed running at a slow speed would be okay for the boat.

Erbyjoe, thanks for the info on Scottys. Where would you buy these and who would you use to install. Also, could I get by with the trolling bags in the summer too? Would these cause a problem with the motor running too slow?

Thanks!

Secondcurve the trolling bags work all year long it alows you to run your big motor at a higher RPM but keeps you going at a good trolling speed.I'm not sure where you can buy them but I will ask my freind and get back to you.As already been said fishlander riggers are good units also it's all what you are used to.I have had the same cannons riggers on my boat now for 20 years and they are still going strong.they were upgraded 4 years ago from digi II's to Mag 20's.They are very fast as far as installing them Your better off asking someone at AJ's he would know local people that could put them on for you.Hope this helps.

Erin

i replaced a manual captain pak big jon this year with an electric fishlander down rigger. very happy with it, lighted line counter, swivel base, circuit breaker, and real nice adjustable rod holders. i will be getting a second one to put on before next season. they are made by someone that worked with big jon for a long time and are very similar. you want longer downriggers off the side and shorter ones on the back corners. electrics are the way to go.

Most people I spoke with like the Fishlander, the lighted depth counter is a plus too, if and when I replace my Cannon's, I think I'll go that route.

John S.

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Replying to:

i replaced a manual captain pak big jon this year with an electric fishlander down rigger. very happy with it, lighted line counter, swivel base, circuit breaker, and real nice adjustable rod holders. i will be getting a second one to put on before next season. they are made by someone that worked with big jon for a long time and are very similar. you want longer downriggers off the side and shorter ones on the back corners. electrics are the way to go.

I've been fishing my Big Jon's on Wini since 1988.

Have used all brands over the years, highly recommend BJ's Captain Packs... You can run 4, but suggest 2 for now !

Jay

As per Fishlessman's vote, I hear the Fishlanders' are excellent. I know Alan at AJs had recommended like many the Big Jon's Capt. Paks...Fishlander got the "guy" who worked on the riggers and the Fishlander's appears to be just like the Big Jon's only you get a little more for the money. I've got tow electric Canon Mag 10s -- they work and pretty well -- but if I got 2 more I'd get the electric Fishlanders...

I'll second the vote for electrics....the first time you have a triple on you will be very glad you are not trying to crank thouse weights up!! I'll also second the thought of starting with two downriggers. I run two and then can either stack two rods on each or run leadcore rigs. I personally prefer to catch salmon on my light downrigger rods but I'll bet I caught at least as many fish on leadcore as with the downriggers this year. SO, I'd say start with two riggers, get stacking releases in case you want to troll two lines per weight and then get a couple leadcore rigs and run both. I use "outrigger" rod holders (Cabelas) that drop into my existing rod holders on the boat. These let my long leadcore rods lie almost flat to the water to get them about 8' away from the side of the boat, reducing tangles.

I agree with starting with two downriggers.
you can stack those and run 2 leadcores thats six lines so you need 3 licenies in the baot. Easytroller makes a troll plate that fits on your engine. I have been using one on my starcrft islander all season. I don't think trolling will hurt your engine and you will have to pick the idea up with a troll plate just like you wouldn't with seabags, Cablelas has troll plates and sea bags in there catolog and online. Here is a link for the trollplate that i use http://www.ironwoodpacific.com/products/motor_accessories/easytroller.htme I'm goin with a trolling motor for next year but thats for fuel economy more that performace of the trollplate I think they would good

Goodluck
Glen L

Thank you everyone for the advice. A dumb question...what is the difference between a troll pale and a hydrofoil?

A trolling plate is put on the motor and drops down in back of the prop so it cuts down on the thrust of the motor so it slows the boat down.A hydrofoil is attached to the motor and looks like a wing.It helps plane out your boat at a slower speed.I think you have to drill holes in the motor for the hydrofoil.And I'm not sure about the trolling plate.Maybe some one who has one can help you out with that.Hope this helps.

Erin