Video - Rockfish Descender - How many people carry a Descender and use it

I use a 12oz torpedo on my descender with a short piece of bungie (as per the instructions). I keep just keep it handy in my side pocket or hull. The change out is pretty quick.

Is the bungee you use DIY or commercially available item?

I use a 12oz torpedo on my descender with a short piece of bungie (as per the instructions). I keep just keep it handy in my side pocket or hull. The change out is pretty quick.

Is the bungee you use DIY or commercially available item?

A trolling snubber such as https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-terminal-tackle-supplies/leaders-accessories/luhr-jensen-trolling-snubber/p/442123?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsPuGrv345AIVl9hkCh10jQiUEAkYCiABEgLK1_D_BwE works well. Choose one which is strong enough to support the weight which you are using with your descender without getting all stretched out, but soft enough so when you jerk on the descender line, the descender weight will stretch the snubber. 

You need to figure out a way to set up your descender system (descender hook, bungie, and weight) so when you catch a fish which you want to return to the depths, the system is ready to go, and you can get the fish hooked up and heading down in a few seconds.  One way to do that is to attach the descender system to the end of the fishing line on a spare fishing pole with a line counter reel and put the pole in a vertical rod holder. Because you will already be juggling your jigging pole, a live fish, and a net or lip grabber, I suggest that you set up the descender pole so you can leave it in its rod holder, release the bail or line spool on its reel, grab the descender system, hook the descender onto the fish, and chuck the fish in the water and let it start heading down.  Then you can start stowing your jigging gear while the fish descends.  When the line counter on your descender rod shows that the fish is deep enough, you can jerk on the descender pole to pop the fish off the descender.

I got the following answer from Bill Shelton (SFD designer)

A bungee is required only on party boats where the distance to water may cause jerking.
On small boats and kayaks, you are at or near waterline not necessary.

Paul

Just ordered 50 SFD from Bill Shelton.
http://www.sheltonproducts.com/SFD.html

I need to come up with a plan to distribute them.
One idea is to have an option to add to NCKA logo safety flag order.

Paul

Is the bungee you use DIY or commercially available item?

I just used some thin bungie I picked up from Michael's Arts & Crafts. I bought a bunch when they were on sale last year.

Seems like kind of a pain to deal with a 5 lb weight on a kayak...

Not particularly painful.  The handle - I use the handle, only - of a spinning rod, an old fly reel, and the descender and cannonball all fit into a surprisingly small bag in the rear well.  The hardest part for me is remembering to load it onto the kayak since we're required to have one onboard at all times.

Conclusion

Thank you guys for the great information.
My final Descender design is using Shelton Fish Descender with two 8 oz weights and a bungee. 
I will add additional weight based on the fish size and plan to carry this in my kayak side pocket.
The attached is a photo.

I hope I can save some rockfish with this tool.


Paul

I have one setup on a handline. If you catch a big Yellow Eye you will need a lot of weight to send it back down. I tried to send one down with a 1 pound ball but it was not enough. I'm going to upgrade to a 2 pound ball. It is amazing Yellow Eye can live over 100 years, a lot of rock fish can grow quite old. I don't feel too bad sending them back down.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/challenge-plastic-hand-reel?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&affcode_c=&gclid=CjwKCAjw29vsBRAuEiwA9s-0B79w_RFDx0Z3Kli6lBxlqvF48xc5pDOppo4SioYOSeBl9_2YQd3OfRoCWUsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I just read the beginning of this tread. The dive weight sounds much better than a ball...

I have one setup on a handline. If you catch a big Yellow Eye you will need a lot of weight to send it back down. I tried to send one down with a 1 pound ball but it was not enough. I'm going to upgrade to a 2 pound ball. It is amazing Yellow Eye can live over 100 years, a lot of rock fish can grow quite old. I don't feel too bad sending them back down.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/challenge-plastic-hand-reel?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&affcode_c=&gclid=CjwKCAjw29vsBRAuEiwA9s-0B79w_RFDx0Z3Kli6lBxlqvF48xc5pDOppo4SioYOSeBl9_2YQd3OfRoCWUsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thank you for your hand reel recommendation.
I typically have approximately 2 lbs of additional weight for fishing and easily attach them.  If connecting my rig to the pole is not practical, I will try the hand reel.

Paul

I usually just stick to fishing for RF in shallower water so I don’t have to deal with floaters. So no, I don’t usually bring one with me.


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I carry one and recently used it to descend a couple floaters that other anglers had thrown to their fate at Simply Fishing...

I must say after years of fishing these great devices were brought to my attention. Easy and simple to use and in my opinion should be mandatory if you hunt rock fish. The seagulls have plenty to eat. Thanks for the info on the subject all-

I got to use the descender twice during last Saturday's trip to Fort Ross.
I still need more practice but both fish were released successfully.
Used 1.5 lbs of weight but I think 1 lb would be adequate for fish I caught.



Paul

I got to use the descender twice during last Saturday's trip to Fort Ross.
I still need more practice but both fish were released successfully.
Used 1.5 lbs of weight but I think 1 lb would be adequate for fish I caught.



Paul

Awesome Paul. You are a good steward for our sport. Tim (Krusty) told me once use a barbless hook and extra weight to get them down. It has worked for me through the years and i have release many fish. However, this weekend i tried to decend at gopher and it wasn't having it. He just wouldn't shake the hook and get off, so he went home with me.  I gave hime a chance.
Thanks for this thread btw. --TLA