Scotty and Cannon are the two downriggers you see on nearly every trolling boat, and both catch fish. Scotty uses a manual clutch drop, is nearly indestructible, and lets you run braid while keeping a water stop. Cannon uses an electric up-down switch with reliable auto-stop, but is harder to fix. Catch America guide Jeff Goodwin runs Cannon Mag units, while Brett Brady swears by 15-year-old Scottys. Pick the one that fits how you fish.
What is the difference between Scotty and Cannon downriggers?
Scotty uses a gravity clutch: pull a lever to release the brake and feather the ball down at any speed. Cannon uses an electric up-down switch that runs on battery power both directions. Scotty is simple and tough, while Cannon offers reliable auto-stop and high-end computerized models. Both are very effective.
Which downrigger is more reliable?
Both last, but they fail differently. Brett Brady has run the same pair of Scottys for 15 years with no belt, motor, or guide replacements, and calls them tanks you can rebuild. Jeff Goodwin favors Cannon Mag 5 and Mag 10 units for their simple analog counters and easy fixes. Avoid the computerized screens in extreme heat.
Can you run braid on a downrigger?
On a Scotty, yes, and you keep the water stop by adding a swivel that catches at the top mechanism. Brett Brady prefers braid because it does not hum, is easy on the hands, and repairs with a couple of simple knots. On a Cannon you can run braid but you lose the automatic water stop.
Why do some guides prefer Scotty?
Durability and braid. Brett Brady likes that a Scotty survives being dropped, submerged, and rebuilt, and that the manual clutch lets him control exactly how fast the ball drops. He also runs braid on his Scottys to kill the cable hum he hates. For him it is Scotty all the way.
Why do some guides prefer Cannon?
Auto-stop and analog simplicity. Jeff Goodwin switched to Cannon after a Scotty cable stop came off and let the ball run all the way up, snapping off his gear. He runs Cannon Mag units with plain analog counters, which he finds reliable and easy to repair in a wet, hot climate.
Do the computerized Cannon models hold up?
They pack features like jigging and bottom-contour following, but Jeff Goodwin damaged several motherboards running the digital screens in 100 degree heat. He also found Scotty digital counters were not waterproof in heavy rain. For that reason many guides stick with basic analog counters on either brand.
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Choosing a downrigger, Scotty versus Cannon FAQ
Both are used on small boats. Scotty's manual clutch needs no battery to drop, which some small-boat anglers prefer. Cannon's electric switch is effortless but draws battery power up and down. Choose based on whether you want a battery-free drop or push-button ease.
Jeff Goodwin found the digital Scotty counters were not waterproof in the rainy north and went through several. Analog counters held up better. If you fish a lot of wet weather, an analog counter on either brand is the safer bet.
Scotty puts a small plastic stop bullet on the cable that trips the auto-stop. If that piece comes off or is lost, the downrigger can pull the cable all the way up until the terminal end hits, which snaps the ball off and sends it to the bottom. That failure pushed Jeff Goodwin to Cannon.
They are Cannon's no-nonsense analog-counter models with a simple up-down switch. Jeff Goodwin rates them super easy to use and easy to fix, without the fragile computer screens of the Optimus line. They are a popular choice for guides who want reliability over features.
Not really. Jeff Goodwin and Brett Brady agree both brands are very effective and call it a Ford versus Chevy debate. What matters more is running the downrigger well, using braid for stealth, and setting your baits at the right depth.
Braid wins for most guides. It has no memory, does not hum, is gentle on your hands, and cuts free easily in a snag. Cable is tougher and never wears out, but that toughness is a problem when you need to cut it fast. On a Scotty you keep the water stop with braid by adding a swivel.
