Abstract: A down-rigger trolling for attachment between a weight and a cable wherein the vane has a nose adjacent the cable connections and a tail remote from the connections so that the tail trails directing the vane nose-foremost and a fish-line release device mounted on or attached to the back of the vane rearwardly of cable attachment and positioned for release by the nose-foremost travel of the vane. The release device comprises a leg, a prong on the leg, and a spring arm which has a looped end releaseably engaging the prong. The leg, prong, and arm form a trap for a ring which is connected to a fish-line between the rod and the bait. Pull by a fish on the bait displaces the looped end of the spring arm off the prong opening the trap and releasing the ring thereby freeing the fish-line, bait, and fish from the down-rigger. Conversely the release device may be mounted to be released with the fish-line from an eye fixed on the vane.

Abstract: Power reels are used to lower and raise heavy weights on metal line first to sink the fishing lure line to a depth of 100-300 feet and then to remove the weights and metal line upon a fish taking the lure to avoid fouling entanglement. The reels are mounted on the boat for support and the mountings of the invention pivotally support the reel so that the reel and attached pole can swing vertically on a horizontal axis between inboard and outboard position and can swing horizontally on a vertical axis to set the reel and attached pole portion at the desired angle. The mounting facilitates quick attachment and detachment of the reel and pole portion. The mounting with the reel and pole detached constitutes a cleat or head for securing dock and tow lines.