Northwest Fishing Reports

I have been looking for a release that works good for smallish fish while down rigging behind the boat. The pinch releases are somewhat unreliable (my opinion) for small fish and the smallest rubber bands I can find will not break for smaller fish when using that method.
I picked up a Chamberlain (magnetic, adjustable tension) release and it works AWESOME! They recommend 'twisting the line' and connecting the line direct into the release, but I like using a rubber band with them. The band does not break but makes a great indicator right before the fish pops the line (rubber band) out of the release.

Have been using the Chamberlain for about 3yrs, none better for lake fishing IMO.

When you twist the line to put on the Chamberlin you can still see your line jerking prior to release.
I agree with hewesfisher no better release for lake fishing.

I've had no problems with the Scotty pinch releases. They come in 2 sizes, each has a tension adjustment and you can also vary the pressure required for the release by adjusting how far back into the jaws of the clip you put your line. I use braided line mostly and the large clip works fine, even on small fish.

Yeah, I have different sizes from various manufacturers. I have also pulled a perch (and other fish) around for 45 minutes without the clip letting the line go. The Chamberlain has not failed yet, even with an 11" fish on it.
The reason I like the rubberband with it is it gave a BIG indication before the clip released. Might even help with the hook set but I don't know.

For getting a better indication of a fish on, make the line on the release longer. The longer distance between the clip and ball helps to show even the slightest of movements. I buy my clips without any rigging and use 130lb Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Leader to make custome length releases. $10 gets you 100 yards of the stuff and the for a couple more dollars you get a bunch of double barrel crimp sleeves. I make mine 4' to 5' long which also keeps me from having to reach over the side of the boat when loading the line into the clip. Much safer when the boat is in rough water.

I loved my Chamberlain release for about 2 months - until I had a problem and they refused to do anything about it. They say the releases are salt water safe but they are not. The magnets rust in no time at all and break the plastic. I sent them pics of the rusted, exploded release and they said too bad so sorry we dont warranty that. It was the attitude that ticked me off more than anything else. Very arrogant and dismissive.

Geez Larry, must be your year to have companies pissing you off! That is unfortunate. I only fish fresh (for now) so that 'should' not be an issue.

G-man, I have enough trouble with wadding up lines in my boat without putting a 5'er on my ball!!! That is why I went with a fishing pole for my attractants on the other side of my boat. I can just reel up the line. I did think about (I know they sell them) building a 'shock' cord using a rubber band and heavy braid or mono for my clips but once I tried the Chamberlain (small, compact, adjustable on the down rigger cable) I bagged that idea.
If the Chamberlain fails I will (probably will keep looking anyway) look for thinner rubber bands as I really like that method. Might have to buy crappy ones so they fail easier but I think they would 'possibly' be inconsistent.

Larry3215 wrote:I loved my Chamberlain release for about 2 months - until I had a problem and they refused to do anything about it. They say the releases are salt water safe but they are not. The magnets rust in no time at all and break the plastic. I sent them pics of the rusted, exploded release and they said too bad so sorry we dont warranty that. It was the attitude that ticked me off more than anything else. Very arrogant and dismissive.

That does suck! If you like the system though, I wonder if purchasing some small magnets and supergluing them into place would work to fix the item? I had a website I was looking at because I was thinking of buying some powerful magnets to throw along rivers and docks to collect lures, if you want I'm sure I can find it again. Let me know!

There is no way to fix this problem by changing magnets. The internal magnet - which is sealed inside the plastic housing with no way to get to it - corrodes in salt water. The corrosion builds up layers on the outside of the magnet which then splits the plastic housing apart and ruins the entire thing. The magnets he uses are supposed to be nickle plated, which makes them kind of sort of almost maybe a little corrosion "resistant" to some small degree, but it must be a very thin layer. Either that or it wears through from rubbing or it gets broken when they weld it to the stainless shaft its attached to or something. Once the salt water gets to the iron core on the magnet, it corrodes like crazy. Any magnet will do that unless its plated with stainless steel or plastic or ceramic or something to totally seal it.

Magnets will shred anyway depending on the type. I have a large, very powerful block alnico (sp) magnet that just sat on the side of my toolbox that started splitting years ago. Now it looks like a whole bunch of little magnet chips. Got to seal them somehow. Saltwater really tears up anything that can rust. Still surprised they would not back it. Seems pretty simple.

I cannot tension my rods with a clip release set to trip for a small fish and that's why I like the Chamberlains, independent tension settings for both. I have mine set for a half pound release on the gear side and tight enough on rod tension I could pull tips to the water if I wanted to.