A good friend of mine and I are busy outfitting a 33-foot Donzi for offshore fishing, and in the process of doing so, I am researching electric downriggers.

I have used a Penn FathomMaster manual with great success (and no problems) in the past, but my friend is really insistent that we go with electrics.

Anyone own/use electric downriggers and use them in saltwater, and if so, what kind of experience have you had? I know Penn makes an electric FathomMaster, and there are other similar models on the market made by Scotty, Walker and Cannon.

Any advice based on experience will be much appreciated.

Good fishing to all ...

Boz

I vote for Canons or Walkers. Both are very durable.

I have 2 electric Penn Fathom Masters that I have been using about 2 years and they have been great. I also have an electric Walker and it has been great as well. They are rigged on different boats, I bought them all new ( the Penns off of this forum). I feel like the Penn are probably built heavier than the walker and I only use them inland.

Hey, guys, thanks for the input. I've been hammering out back-to-back magazine pieces, and haven't been able to get on here in a few days.

I'm still up to my you-know in work, but if this blasted wind would die down a bit I would make a quick run to the surf ... probably at Rollover Pass. It's the time of year when you can hit some huge trout, but you have to hit it dead-on, conditions-wise.

First ling has already been taken off the Galveston beachfront. Don't forget; they are legal fare for the CCA STAR Tournament, and early-season fish are often the biggest.

Again, it's all about the wind.

Thanks again, amigos. Still don't know what I am going to buy for the boat, but I suspect the right price and right brand will come about if I can be patient about it. Ain't no way you're gonna find these things in good shape without dropping at least five bills apiece, it looks like ... all the more reason I want units that'll hold up.

Good fishing, friends ...

Boz

I've been using Riviera downriggers since the early 80's. It is a quality product.
I never used them in salt water.
When dad and I went to blue water we always left the downriggers at home.
I'm not sure why.

http://www.offshoretackle.com/downriggers.htm

John